DVLA advice please?

[tonybrentwood]

Hi Folks,
Having been on my machine for fourteen days now I can really feel a difference, in fact I tried to have an afternoon nap yesterday and couldn't do it! I used to drop off every afternoon without fail so something must be going right.
As I'm not feeling drowsy at all now I thought I'd start the process of getting my licence back, so I phoned the Specialist's secretary to ask if i could send the data card so he could confirm that I'm 14/14 and 105 hours, but the secretary flatly refused, saying I had to wait until my next appointment on 18th August. I explained that I don't feel tired anymore and that August seems a long wait but she said it's not for the patient to say thay are no longer tired it's for the Specialist to decide.
I've phoned the DVLA and they are going to send me the forms to apply for my licence, my question is would the DVLA accept a letter from my GP to say I'm ok to drive or will they want to contact my Specialist? Am I being unreasonable not wanting to wait until August before I can apply for my licence? Does it need that long for the Specialist to know that I'm compliant? Help and advice much appreciated.
Tony

[James @ Intus]

Certainly not unreasonable to want your licence back the moment the disorder under control!

Hopefully your GP is of the forward thinking kind, proactive, and can establish that your activity levels are that of a healthy person. He or she can hopefully sign off without the need for the consultant to interfere.

If you do need the consultant's green light, I would insist on sending the card at the 4 week mark, to be put through the wringer and a report produced which should be more than enough to confirm things are going swimmingly.

The usage stats, along with a new Epworth Sleepiness Scale score should do the trick and takes the specialist (who will probably let the nurse do it) no more than 10 minutes. Certainly not an unreasonable request.

They may use your age/background as an excuse to take is easy so if there's any way you can stress driving is important to your livelihood, that might speed it up.

As you now know, you simply have to battle for your basic rights so keep at it until you get what's only reasonable to get promptly.

Maybe ResMed are willing to run a report for you? Even a fellow forum meber here with the right card reader may be able to print out a report. Your GP may find that useful.

Anyway, try and work it out with the consultant, fingers crossed he/she isn't too difficult.

[Bisto Kid]

I requested my licence back from the DVLA. Surprisingly quickly... within a week, a form arrived in the post along with a medical questionnaire. Both of these were filled in and returned. I left it for a week and then rang to confirm receipt, whereupon they informed me that I am and have been for the last three days, legal to drive... the licence is in the post, thank you very much!

I am now due back at work on Monday.

I may have been lucky as I have read and heard many people say that the DVLA take a lifetime to sort things out.

[tonybrentwood]

I'm starting to feel a bit more posoitive now!
Thanks Bisto.

[tonybrentwood]

Posoitive??? I mean positive.

[Floatyboaty]

when you return the forms send them recorded delivery you will then have proof that they have been received

[Astreb]

Use the WWW

Hi Tony
I did all my paperwork via the web:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/DG_4022415

Provided you can show you are under medical care for the condition, the time delay seems to come for a wait for one of their "medical panels" where they review your case and hopefully clear you to drive.

Took about three weeks in total after issue of CPAP machine in my case.

Regards
Tony

[tonybrentwood]

Hi all,
Thanks for all the info, it's really helping me out here. I feel a bit more confident about getting my licence back now without the help of the frankly rude and unhelpfull Specialist's secretary I spoke to. I'll apply online as you did Tony no.1 and see what happens.
Thanks chaps
Tony no.2

[Tigers Fan]

How on earth?

Hey Tony

How on earth can a consultant decide if you are tired or not?

Get your forms from DVLA, tell them you are not sleepy during the day and that you are receiving treatment successfully, wait two-ish weeks - happy motoring!

It really is that simple with no need to go to GPs or Consultants (always assuming you have not upset DVLA).

Congratulations on your campaign successes!!!

TF

[tonybrentwood]

Hi all,
well, I phoned the Consultants secretary again this morning, told her that my problems with getting my CPAP machine were being aired as we spoke on BBC Essex and she became very helpfull. She took my number, promised the Consultant would phone me, and sure enough he did. He asked if I was still feeling tired, I said no, and he said no problem, if the DVLA write to him he'll confirm that I'm ok to drive. I must say the secretary was very nice today, friendly and helpfull.
I've taken your advice Tigers and sent it recorded, so now just waiting. The DVLA even enclosed a prepaid envelope with the forms, I'm impressed. Two weeks! I'd be really delighted if I get my licence back in that time, I was expecting a fair old wait. It will seem funny to get behind the wheel again, I can't wait!
Regards,
Tony.

[tonybrentwood]

Hi Folks,
I've got my licence back!
Only just got back online after a few weeks without regular computer access.
I phoned to ask how my application was going, and a very nice and helpfull lady told me it was in the post and I could drive straight away.
Thanks for all the advice and help with the application, I'm sure that following it got my licence back quicker. Good old Forum eh?
Best regards,
Tony