Telling the DVLA about sleep apnoea - how did it go for you?

[RXEditorialTeam]

Hello all. I am part of a medical editorial team that writes patient information about sleep disorders. A question we get a lot from UK readers who have just been diagnosed: "Do I have to tell the DVLA, and will I lose my licence?" The official rules are fairly clear, but the real-life experience seems to vary a lot, so I would like to hear from members who have been through it.
The short version of the DVLA guidance (car and motorbike licence):

• You must tell the DVLA if you have moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea with excessive sleepiness that affects driving, or mild OSA with sleepiness lasting 3 months or more (form SL1).
• Snoring or a diagnosis alone, without daytime sleepiness, does not need to be reported.
• You should not drive while you are excessively sleepy. Once the sleepiness is controlled (usually with CPAP that you use regularly), most people keep or get back their licence.
• Bus and lorry (Group 2) drivers have stricter rules, including regular reviews of CPAP use.

What I would love to know from you:

1. How long did the DVLA take to reply, and did you carry on driving meanwhile on your clinic's advice?
2. Did your sleep clinic help with the paperwork or the confirmation of CPAP use?
3. For professional drivers: how did your employer handle it?
4. Anything you wish you had known before sending the form?

This is general information, not legal or medical advice for anyone's case - your sleep clinic and the DVLA website have the final word. I will put together a short summary of the answers at the end so newly diagnosed members have it in one place.