Sleep Apnea and Driving

[kim sheree]

Driving

i have just been told i have to advise dvla about my diagnosis i am confused how to go about this?
Do i call them or write to them?can i carry on driving until they tell me to stop?
i get my official diagnosis next thurs, the technician from my sleep study has verbally told me i have severe sleep apnea, and will meet the criteria for a cpap machine, i dont really know what this means...
can anyone help?

[Martina]

Sleep Apnea and Driving

Dont worry too much- I was in the same situation a year ago.In fact I had actually stopped driving as I felt exhausted all the time.I received a cpap machine and very quickly felt much better. I informed the DVLA ( a legal requirement),of my diagnosis, but mentioned that I was feeling much better due to the cpap machine. I had to fill in a questionaire about how tired I was in different situations (like waiting at traffic lights etc). I was allowed to carry on driving ,but that I must inform them of any changes in my condition.A few months later I had to do it again as I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a couple of months later.I was once again allowed to keep my licence. I also informed my travel insurance as this is a requirement- no extra fees were demanded. One year on I am 3 stone lighter and do not have to use my cpap every night.I hope this gives you some heart.

[casperooney]

i have my license monitered

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?

hi i drive hgv in december 2007 i was told i had sleep apnea ,i was told i had to wear a cpap machine god i,m only 41 i thought thats it with my licence .but when i told dvla i was quite shocked the response was brilliant as long as you wore the cpap and inproved they were quite happy for me to carry on drive-ing .i steadly inproved 75% + so go on dont worry you might be surprised

[paulbooth6]

OSA and the DDA

Joe

I have read your post with interest re OSA, disability and the DDA. Please can you tell me exactly where it is covered by the DDA as this is very important to me.

Paul

[Captain Sisko]

My Experience

I am a newcomer to the forum, and here is my experience to date...

I have been an extremely heavy snorer for years (as my girlfriend will testify!). Two years ago I had a routine blood pressure test, and found I had morbidly high blood pressure. Additional tests indicated the years of high blood pressure had contributed to an enlarged heart!
Cue tablets for blood pressure, and lifestyle changes to reduce weight, and the blood pressure appeared to be stabilising (not reducing to perfect levels, but alot better than it was!)
For whatever reason (tolerance I guess) I stopped responding to my treatment for blood pressure, and my medication was changed. This again stabilised the blood pressure, but had an undesirable effect on weight. My GP's answer to this was to get the blood pressure down first, then we'll deal with the weight!

In parallel to this, I was also speaking to my doctor about excessive sleepiness during the day, despite getting an average of 8-9 hours a night. An episode of falling asleep at the wheel on the A15 really did shake me up.
I was refereed to an ENT specialist, and after a number of examinations, including an unpleasant camera up my nose and a nights oximetry testing, I was referred to Wythenshaw sleep clinic, where I was immediately diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea.
I have since found out that all of my blood pressure issues have more than likely been greatly influenced by this condition. It really felt like a great weight had been lifted of my shoulders at this point, as nothing seemed to be working!

The DVLA were informed immediately (I have a great boss, and more importantly, a 6 year old daughter), and as expected I had my licence revoked. Please understand, I am not complaining about this, it was the right thing to do. No licence, no pressure to drive etc....

Two weeks after diagnosis, I attended the sleep clinic and underwent an simple trial to see if I would adapt to CPAP treatment. I fell asleep almost immediately in the hospital bed! After an hour, the technician woke me up, much to my humorous annoyance!
At this point I was then given a CPAP unit of my own, with a full face mask, and told to return in two weeks to see if the treatment works.

Two weeks later, I returned, reporting the following: no snoring, average 7 hours per night usage, no daytime sleepiness and renewed energy during the day! (The bags under my eyes are even starting to get smaller!)

At this point, I re-applied for my licence back (sent the application off two weeks ago).
After numerous telephone calls, I find they had only scanned the application in yesterday. They also informed me that will take about 3 weeks until the DVLA doctors(?) examine the evidence, and then they MAY decide to contact my doctor or consultant. Then, depending on how long it takes for the hospital or doctor to return any required information, a decision will be made on whether I can drive again.

A long story, I know, but here is a question I suppose only the DVLA can answer..... If they revoked my licence based on MY declaration of excessive daytime sleepiness only, then why cant they take my word for it that I now do not suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness? Surely if I was dishonest I wouldn't have told them in the first place?

[littlelegsdad]

BUs Driving and OSA

I need to inform the DVLA that I have OSA, but I have had it for a while and kept quiet. I also have a PCV entitlement on my licence and because of this am worried that I might lose both my licence and my job.

I also live in a semi rural part of the country, so need to be allowed to drive not only for work but also for my family
I’m really worried they’ll take my licence from me, as some form of punishment. and that they remove the PCV part.

Should I own up or keep quiet?

[GrumpyBiker]

I would make the declaration. If you are compliant on treatment then you keep your basic license. For your PCV license you need to get a medical report filled in by a doctor.
If you fail to disclose and this is discovered, you are risking a £1000 fine on top of loosing your licence.
The rules for PCV drivers are understandably stricter than for those without a bus-load of lives in their hands...

See here for more information about the rules and how to advise the DVLA.

Andy