[Closed] Anyone here lost their driving license?

As you're posting on STW I presume you have a bike? 😉

How you losing it?

I have a friend who lost his for 18 months, we live in Norfolk so it was an inconvenience for him but the truth is he deserved to loose it and knew he did ... He coped though and never seemed that put out about it.

What did you do to lose it?
There are lots of storys of people having 30+ points on their licence and still getting to keep it if they claim hardship/chance of job loss!
[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/36-points-and-still-on-the-road ]http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/36-points-and-still-on-the-road[/url]

Medical reasons. Same reason I can't really ride a bike too far.

.

Yup. Lost mine last year.

Turned up down the back of the sofa.

Edit:

project:

Drink driving, tough, no excuses ever.
Points top up, should have been more observant,

Guess there was a third option, eh, project.

Why do you think you're about to lose it?

(Ignore - Beaten to it)

No idea fella, but how come it's only being lost for a year on medical grounds?

Edit: project on a mega-edit! Also, I suspect only you know the impact. It would bollox my job up, but the planet would live longer. Your situation may be different.

I had to declare my illness to DVLA or get a silly fine and invalid insurance.

EDIT: I have no idea how long I might lose it for.

project - Member
Drink driving, tough, no excuses ever.

Points top up, should have been more observant,

🙄

Epilepsy, you usually need to prove youve been free of fits for a set time.

Other medical incidents may also be in place.

Edit: I really need to type faster! I have nothing really that useful to add, but hopefully you will be able to appreciate some of the benefits of not running a car/being stuck in traffic/having egr flux capacitor dmf valves pop at £2k to fix 😀

Buses once every two hours isn't as bad as some places and taxi to station when needed?

Use internet shopping and delivery when needed, mothball the car and use the money that you would have been spending on fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance for the taxis.

Don't know the specifics of the medical reasons, but the DVLA don't usually take these things lightly, so what ever it is I hope you come back from it and get the licence back.

Lost mine years ago. Lived in a city and didn't really need it so it wasn't a problem. In fact, it saved me loads of money, and associated ballache of car ownership. It was also good for me in lots of other ways; it taught me to not be such a lazy fat slob (I would've driven up the stairs to bed if I could). It got me into cycling and thus became a healthier person. And once I got my license back (I didn't bother for about 7 years) I was a much better, more considerate, chilled out driver. I'd recommend a period of non-driving for all drivers. Great for perspective and consideration for other road users.

I lost mine, back in 89, totting up, got a 6mth ban went to work as a cycle courier...loved it. Sorry not much use if you live somewhere rural.

Notifiable conditions are anything that could affect your ability to drive safely. They can include:
epilepsy
strokes
other neurological and mental health conditions
physical disabilities
visual impairments

My Nan had a mini stroke that (unbeknownst that it would be temporary) left her blind in one eye. Let the DVLA know and they said it wasn't an issue at all.

All may not be lost just yet

I've been blessed with Ultra rapid cycling Bipolar amongst other things.
Let's hope it's not an issue.

Electric bike?

Hours, I lost the sight in one eye (permanent though) rang the DVLA a they just said nah you'll be fine, it'll just take you a while to get used to the lack of depth perception.

More importantly, it's "licence". The noun is licence and verb is license .

I appreciate this is of bollox all importance, but I have my own medical condition which means I have to correct this!

Project in "I thought this was your regular STW driving thread" shocker.

But seriously, how will the forum cope with this thread? It's like a glitch in the matrix, a thread about driving with no obvious moral high ground to head for.

Help me jebus.

It's alright for city folk to be car-less, but living in the sticks would be a total bu99er for me.

I'd buy a horse.

how will the forum cope with this thread?

More importantly, it's "licence". The noun is licence and verb is license .

Thank god, normal service is resumed. We're just going to criticise spelling and grammar.

(your speedy spelling edit is also noted bearnecessities) 😉

I have no idea what a noun or verb are let alone spell license correctly.
Welsh is far easier.

iolo - is it hugely offensive to make a smartarse comment about how you don't need to drive if you're an ultra rapid cyclist?

NB. Please tell me to **** right off if I've crossed the line - you have 15 minutes to allow me to pretend it never happened 😉

Iolo - if you are concerned speak to your medical professional(s) about it. For some conditions they may be asked to report to dvla and therefore might have previous experience of dvla dealings. I got tested for sleep apnoea about 3-4 years ago (also a notifiable condition). I drive a lot for work so was a big concern for me. The consultants had a good understanding of how dvla approached the condition and when /where they would expect/suggest a suspension of licence. Turned out no sleep apnoea for me so never tested the system first hand.

Edit: of course you may have already done this in which case I am as helpful as the proverbial chocolate teapot.

I have never lost my licence, but was rendered incapable of driving for 3 months due to injury and it was a royal pain in the arris. And that was using London transport.

No idea what you're talking about, Spix. 🙂

Iolo, sorry, I was only being a nob. Good luck and make the best of it, 'cos there are definitely benefits to not driving!

while waiting to see if I also need to apologize for being a nob....

You've not said if this is an illness or medication issue but garage-dweller is right that the people treating you will have seen others in the same situation and can give better advice than the rest of us.

Mr Nice, no apology needed 😀 I wish I was an ultra rapid cyclist but then again don't we all.

iolo - is it hugely offensive to make a smartarse comment about how you don't need to drive if you're an ultra rapid cyclist?

While amusing, it doesn't seem like the sort of thing Mr Nice should be saying.

I know someone who has has a couple of "episodes", some kind of fit*. Each time he had his licence suspended for 12 months.

* not while driving, they were at night time I believe.

While amusing, it doesn't seem like the sort of thing Mr Nice should be saying.

Don't tell anyone, but it's not my real name...

Waaaaah!?!!

I think some folk need to take a step back.

iolo - I know from your posts that you been dealt a bad hand and do hope that you can find a way of managing day to day stuff without wheels.

Didn't loose my licence but was asked not to drive for medical reasons for 6 months. Bit of a pain but rode to work 4 days out of 5 and got a lift the other day to take clean clothes in dirty ones home.

I'd say it was worse fof the mrs as she had to drive everywhere.

There is now tracking apps to keep "an eye on you" glympse works well and is free.

Move house somewhere more urban?

I live in Vienna some of the year and that wouldn't be a problem. Wales is the only problem for me but I love it. I moved house last February so am not moving again.

Iolo, how about an electric bike? Would that get you through the distance aspect in Wales? No licence required too. Disability/ motorbility? Worth looking into, could pay for some other form of transport if they do revoke your licence?

How relevant it might be in this instance I'm not sure but... As much as certain conditions are notifiable you can also be assessed for you fitness to drive in light of a condition. The NHS have driver assessment centres, I had to go to one at the beginning of the year when some nerve trouble was effecting my movement/sensation in my legs and feet

The assessment is quite interesting - a bit of a catch-all because you could be referred for all sorts of reasons - so you have eye tests, reaction tests, memory tests, perception, spacial awareness, reasoning, counting backwards from 143 in 7s, I was even asked what day it was..... and got it wrong. You have a physical, your reaction speeds and hand/foot strengths are tested in a driving simulator, then you get a driving test in a controlled environment and finally another on the road.

I didn't have to prove any of these things to get a licence so its quite startling to have to such scrutiny in order to keep it.

Anyway the point of the exercise is to get an valid, expert, measured test of your fitness to drive and for decisions about whether you can remain licensed and insured based on that rather and the DVLA and insurers notified accordingly.

Crashed my dad's car into a tree when I was 17 and had a couple of seizures in the ambulance.

Cue loss of licence for 1 year. (Never had another seizure(touch wood))

Was on phenobarbital for a period too. Regained my licence on a temporary basis after 1 year with a 3 year review before being given full licence again.

Was difficult for part of the time as was meant to be doing work experience on farms etc during holidays from uni and meant I cycled quite a bit, used my old mans caravan to stay in sometimes close to where I had to be.

Also difficult explaining to people why you could drive but not on the roads without going through whole thing.

Speak to the medics because they may be able to advise timescales for earliest return etc.

I had a few weeks where the DVLA medical branch got worked up over my LGV/PCV licence renewal (medical every 5 years when you hit 45)

Ultimately it's for a good reason (although I didn't see it like that) My licence was eventually renewed as usual

Get the treatment that you need and get expert opinion if you need to

Best wishes

Friend of mine lost his a while ago after some serious seizures. Works about 40 mile away from home (also in very rural area, so no public transport), but for the last year or two has been getting taxis paid for (I assume via the govt) to get to and from work.

Might be worth asking your GP about similar options for you?

I lost mine over 20 years ago when I was Young and stupid and not in a very good place.
I deserved to lose it, I am deeply thankful that no one was hurt during the period of my life that Preceded the ban.

I cycled everywhere for 2.5 years and I was the fittest I had ever been.

I know its a different situation (And location) but what I was getting at is, you get used to it very quickly and it soon just becomes the way you live your life.

I was under the impression you can drive with bp as long as you have not been sectioned within 12 months. This applies to all types of the illness.
Have you checked on the Bipolar Uk forum? They have a few knowledgable people on there who have been in similar situations.
Either way I hope you are OK.

Iolo- I've still got mine and my insurance, as far as I can tell is pretty much as it should be. Fully comp. 1.3 hatch back. South Manchester / Cheshire. £240 a year with 8 years NCB. I've been to P2 a few times as well. No concerns.

I was diagnosed rapid cycling bipolar and hospitalized for a period, it's several years ago now, but never once lost my driving license. I did have HGV entitlement though which I did lose, but car licence was never interrupted.
That said, you will get a shorter licence. Once I notified DVLA I had to immediately surrender the licence ( you can still drive whilst they do their medical checks), they got a report from GP and consultant, then it was re-issued sans HGV, but for a year only. You have to re-apply each year (doesn't cost anything).

If you're good, you will eventually get a progressively longer license, I'm up to 3 years, just re-applied.

Obviously ymmv, it will ultimately depend on your medical records, I've never heard of anyone losing a license for bipolar depression though.

I lost mine earlier this year for a few months for medical reasons too. A PITA I agree, I work shifts as well but got into a car school with colleagues 😀
Id also consider an electric bike for those days where the commute is a pain, I was weighing one up if my licence wasnt making an appearance for much longer 😀
Did wonders for my fitness mind 😀

Good luck and I feel your frustrations 🙂

Great, I've lost my license.
Now I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere in Snowdonia.
I'm so happy.

Bugger!
Given it's on medical grounds is there any local support available to assist you?

Argh, pants. Sorry to hear that..

You'll adapt though fella....stoopid humans have a weird way of being able to deal with changes somehow, as you yourself know.

Can you ride a horse? Or a pig?

pretend there has been a zombi-pocalypses and hunker down.

Look at the positives

You're stuck in the middle of nowhere in Snowdonia

bad luck fella, do you need your car to earn?

Bad news 🙁

I don't have any magic solution to offer (as demonstrated by my comments earlier on this thread!) just some sympathy. I can't remember why you said you're not using a bike at the moment but if that's out I guess you're going to need to look at getting lifts. I know that's difficult.

Or what bearnecessities said about farm animals. There are plenty of sheep around. A particularly burly sheep might be of use. Or could a small flock carry a sedan chair?

Got any kids ? My first dad lost his licence for two years when I was in 6th and 7th form. Gave me a part-time job driving him around, in his brand new car. Even went halvers on the huge speeding fine. Result for me, not so good for him.

No kids or farm animals unfortunately.

Sorry to hear that. I presume you are going to appeal the decision, unless you feel unsafe.
Can you get an independent Pdoc assessment to help?

Never had one to lose! 😆 I live in a city though, so don't really feel the desire to get one, I can cycle, walk, get the bus or train everywhere easily enough.

Guess I might feel different if I drove and then list the ability.