Sleep Apnea and Driving

[Joe McManus]

Earlier this week I blogged about how many UK sufferers of Sleep Apnoea there are. Experts estimate well over three quarters of a million people right now, and with many becoming bigger, younger this is only set to increase.

Realizing how many of us are part of everyday society, I dug out some statistics on driving and OSA. The amount of accidents and accidents waiting to happen is phenomenal.

OSA or not, we've probably all been guilty of driving tired, but how far would you go? Do you make absolutely sure you are rested enough to be fit to drive?

[MoutheBreather]

I hardly ever drive without my children in the back and hurting them is about my biggest nightmare so no sleepy driving here, that's for sure.

[Billy65]

Sleep Apnea and Driving

I've been told I have to contact DVLA and inform them of my condition. In the meantime I've been banned from driving a mini-bus whilst on duty with the Army Cadet Force of which I'm an Instructor.
I can understand the safety aspects but I'm worried that the powers that be could suspend my right to drive completely.
Has anyone got experience of dealing with the DVLA and what was the outcome?

[Joe McManus]

Has anyone got experience of dealing with the DVLA and what was the outcome?

Yes! When you sent the forms, make sure you follow up and confirm they have received them. They are known for being a bit dis-organised and losing stuff or somehow keeping yours bottom of the pile. Some gentle persuasion can help move the process along. You can also email or fax the details. Apparently their mail processing takes weeks, emails upto a fortnight and faxed submissions a few days. You should include valid ID like a birth certificate or similar.

If you are on CPAP and it works well for you, do let them know the success you are having. They might ring your doctor to confirm you have improved so let him/her know they can expect a ring and be prepared to answer hopefully favourably.

Once they've processed it they will let you drive as normal again though I'm not sure about driving around other people.

As far as work goes, officially OSA is not classed as a disability though it is covered by the disabilities discrimination act (link) therefor they should not judge you by it. This part says they should also be helpful to you. You may want to talk this through with HR though.

[JackTheSnorer]

I had my "green light" 2 months after sending in the forms. I can't remember whether they spoke to my doctor, I think it was back in the early 90s.

[ashley]

I lost my job as a hgv driver through OSA (i didnt know i had it then) i actually fell asleep at the wheel and nearly killed myself.i have since got my car license back but ive been told i will never get my hgv back...

[Joe McManus]

That must have been a scary experience. Sorry to hear that Ashley.

How much time was between the licenses being pulled and the car license being given back?

Have you ever re-applied after starting on CPAP?

[Billy65]

Sleep Apnea and Driving

I've just been given the all clear to drive from the DVLA.
It had been noted that I responded well to using a CPAP machine and the only restriction was they must be notified if it's use was removed

[katiemcewan]

Well congratulations, that must have been a big relief for you. So glad to hear that, well done.

[ashley]

i was diagnosed in jan 07 and had my license revoked there and then in the hospital by the professor i am under. i had to wait 4 months to get my car license back but have since been told i will not get my hgv back ever.....

[Joe McManus]

For those curious about the effects of sleep apnoea on driving performance and on the status of your licence, I've compiled all the official information I could find in tis blog post:

http://blog.cpap.co.uk/2007/09/sleep-apnoea-and-sleepy-driving

[MoutheBreather]

For those curious about the effects of sleep apnoea on driving performance and on the status of your licence, I've compiled all the official information I could find in tis blog post:

http://blog.cpap.co.uk/2007/09/sleep...sleepy-driving

That's really nicely done, thanks! I met someone at the market the other day I should send this link.

[Woodster]

Hi all new here, I saw some of you guys were HGV drivers and had your license revoked and you did not get it back, however, I read an article some time ago by an HGV driver who did not know that he had Sleep Apnea and casued a crash which involved a fatality. The DVLA revoked his license obviously but when he started to recieve treatement and that treatment was positive he was then allowed to gain his HGV license back.

So I was thinking maybe you should appeal the decision in not reinstating your HGV license!

I am also a HGV driver and have only just been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and I'm just in the process of sending off the forms to DVLA to notify them of this

[James @ Intus]

The problem for professional drivers is traditionally as following. You suspect OSA and get an appointment at to do a sleep study. The results confirm OSA but you now have to tell the DVLA (or they do it for you) and then wait for treatment. Treatment may come anywhere between right away through to many weeks or in some cases never, as funding still hasn't been sorted out. They now have to sit and wait whilst they can't drive.

If diagnosis was immediately followed by treatment consistently, drivers would only be out of work for a week or so. But that's not the case. London, Leicester and Oxford areas seems to be OK, elsewhere it can be a nightmare.

That's why we turn around sleep studies in 4 days with treatment to follow in around 2 days..

[Tigers Fan]

If at all possible a decision will be made on the information you provide.

I read all the info in your linked post (oh! now I see it is very old) and thought that it flew in the face of the experience of myself and others forum users - and supported the view of a few who had lost their licences.

But read carefully and it is there. Quote: If at all possible a decision will be made on the information you provide. Unquote. (See Joe McManus; 12th Sept 2007 follow link 'What happens next' in paragraph beginning 'The DVLA's medical section .....'

It has that one line (If at all possible a decision will be made on the information you provide.) and the rest is all about needing Doctors and others to say you are safe to drive.

Woodster - who resurrected the thread - beware of telling th.e DVLA before you have to. If you have a confirmed diagnosis, you have to tell them - you don't until you have a confirmed diagnosis. You then have some time to get onto PAP therapy, become compliant so you can tell the DVLA that you are no longer sleepy during the day.

There is no need to lose your licence at all if you get onto PAP therapy quickly enough.

Tigers Fan