Disability Driving Assessment

[Arcadian]

What are people's experiences of doing a disability driving assessment and how DVLA process illness notification?

[denise]

I know this isn't what you mean but I actually couldn't park my car in my husband's disabled parking space.🙄 I suppose I get to give it up now. £40 for not even a year.

Think you have to inform dvla. I hadn't heard of a disabled driving assesssment. I presume you would have to inform your insurance.

[Music man's wife]

Chris did this. The exam itself took well over 2 hours. With a driving examiner and an OT. The first part was in the exam room, memory and sight amongst other things.
Then they took Chris to the car and he had the practical test. It didn't go well, he pulled out in front of a lorry and nearly reversed into a wall.
Anyhow much to his surprise they said he was fit to drive after a couple of simple adaptations.
I'm seem to recall the test took months to arrange, pre Covid.

[Arcadian]

DVLA / Insurance companies already notified.
This is an assessment that DVLA may request on top of additional medical practitioner information. (There's a tick box for it on form DVLA CN1, if already done).
Booking / waiting for the assessment can take 6+ weeks depending on location and the accredited organisation doing the assessment.

I understand the assessors also give advice if vehicle adaptations are a way forward, as well as any concerns around impairment to driving safety.

One of my vehicles is electric, which makes it easier to drive, but it's also a motorbike, which caused a little bit of concern at a Neurologist appointment.

Trying to be pro-active with planning ahead, particularly as I'm still working to some extent, but ideas of realistic timeframes and remaining sensible around activities is challenging.

Weirdest recent situation 'driving', was on a mini-digger in a field trenching a water-pipe.
Sat nearly 2 hours relatively comfortably, but finished with horrendous arm ache (shoulders to elbows feeling hollow too), from working the relatively light control levers - they are at about just below chest height, but I don't get the problem with a steering wheel - so guess it's the fine movement controls on unusual muscles.

[Tabbycat]

Arcadian I had a driving assessment with Driveability.

https://www.eastangliandriveability.org.uk/

The assessment was September 2021 and delayed by 6-months due to Covid.

I was assessed as being able to drive with hand controls (push brake and pull accelerator ring) but my arms felt so fatigued after driving for just a 20-minute assessment.

I decided on reflection, it wasn't worth the cost of making the adaptations. By the time I had driven to my destination my arms would have been too fatigued.

I would then have to get my wheelchair out of the car (with a boot hoist) and then self propelled my chair, to wherever I was visiting. It just wasn't practical so decided to give up my car.

It was worth the money for the assessment as it gave me the peace of mind of knowing that I had explored all options before making the decision to stop driving.

My progression is relatively slow but has progressed and now one year on, I am in a position where I would not be able to use these adaptations.


[QUOTE]. finished with horrendous arm ache (shoulders to elbows feeling hollow too), from working the relatively light control levers ./QUOTE]

Holding your arms in this static position will use muscles. Static muscle work is often more fatiguing than actual movements.

[Arcadian]

Arcadian I had a driving assessment with Driveability.

https://www.eastangliandriveability.org.uk/

Holding your arms in this static position will use muscles. Static muscle work is often more fatiguing than actual movements.

Yes, Clinic Physio explained this in a similar way last week to me, which was reasonably reassuring as I thought something new was going on.

Just back from the assessment and it was amazingly positive.
About 12 miles of driving various roads and junctions and with no adverse observations.
Driving Assessor and Occupational Therapist then explained future considerations around progression in a pragmatic and empathetic way, together with how they liaise with Motability around suitability.
(Do you have to be on PIP, regarding Motability)?

[JamesW]

When I did mine a few years back they took me out in a normal car as I was still okay driving (ish) and basically took me through pretty much a new driver test. I knew my driving skills were starting to suffer and I volunteered for the assessment myself with a referral from my Nero OT.

There was an OT and a driving specialist in the car and after the initial assessment they recommended taking a different car out that had an adaption for me to try, in my case it was enhanced power steering.

With regards to notifying DVLA it was quite a simple process but you are then on a auto renewal process, is it three years or something? My insurance also did not change when I told them.

[Zante]

Arcadian am glad that your assessment was positive. can i ask does everyone that has a notifiable condition have to have an assessment automatically or is it dependant on answers from consultant? I notified the dvla in June when I was diagnosed but I haven't heard anything apart from a letter which said they would contact my consultant about 2 months ago. I didn't know if everyone had the assessment?

[Arcadian]

Zante I drive quite a bit still with work, leisure and at times unconventional vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes.
I booked the assessment myself some weeks ago (about £130) as a demonstrable 'duty of care' - but CN1 form asks if you've done one.

I imagine you get referred for assessment, if DVLA query things from the notification form with the GP / Consultant. At least the assessment demonstrates driving competence at the time.

Mine today was in the same format as JamesW says with a standard petrol and gearbox car.
Assessor and OT were very helpful regarding future options.

[Zante]

Arcadian thanks that's cleared up my thoughts about if it's automatically an assessment. I drive to the moors with my dog each day which is 10 mins drive max. Not much else but don't want to lose that yet as I feel competent driving. Thank you.

[Arcadian]

Zante this had a lot of 'we'll will try to keep your ability to drive if safe to do so' about it.

A few sensitive approaches to me about my level of understanding of MND and they then indicated the level of adaptations possibly, as well as their input into Motability when necessary.

[Arcadian]

12+ weeks since notifying DVLA and still no driving licence decision (MND Consultant contact and disability driving assessment were fine in September).
I'm aware that DVLA have had admin problems long term and The Guardian reports a backlog of 160,000+ cases:-

https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...cences-backlog


No point phoning tomorrow, they are on strike (but that can't be blamed for the other weeks...)

https://www.nationalworld.com/lifestyle/cars/dvla-strike-when-are-pcs-members-striking-and-how-will-it-affect-medical-applications-and-licence-renewals-3979322

[MMG]

We notified DVLA upon diagnosis, he never had an assessment but did have a decision that he could still drive but would need a review every twelve months. This took about 8 months.

By the time that decision was made he could no longer walk or move his arms so I have no idea what they based the decision on. Needless to say he was no longer driving eventhough he technically and legally still could.

[Zante]

Arcadian hi. I notified the dvla in June when advised to do so by the mnd nurse. The dvla wrote to my consultant and after 5 months wrote again! And then they gave up on the consultant replying and wrote to my health centre. A Dr said I was able to drive ( I never met this Dr and so this must have been decided by reading notes). .

I stillI haven't heard back about any decisions from the dvla. I also informed my car insurance company. My arms get tired holding them high on steering wheel. Am thinking of getting one of those round shapes which is attached to the wheel to make turning less effort. Need to look into it.

There must be very lengthy delays at the dvla. I hope u get the decision come through soon. X

[Tabbycat]

Arcadian I was on a 3-year review which ran out in June 2021. I sent my licence off to DVLA in April 2021 for renewal and received a letter back in July 2022....
....by which time I was no longer able to drive, having completed a Driveability assessment September 2021 and made the decision to cease driving. I wrote to them (again in October 2021) to tell them I would not be driving.
I suspect if I hadn't told them I was no longer driving I might still be waiting now!

The fact that you have not heard after 3-months is of no surprise to me.

I fully sympathise with this frustrating situation.