Driving license pickle
Jun 23rd 2016, 8:46 am
#31
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Re: Driving license pickle
You seem like a very nice person but your post worries me. I'm not sure if you seen on the news what happened two Christmas's ago in Glasgow. A bin lorry driver passed out behind the wheel and killed people.... Turns out he had passed out before and didn't declare it because he thought he was ok. Now this is an extreme case but personally I would not lie on anything or omit anything....for your safety and that of the public go the extra mile to sort it out. Might be a hassel and might mean some docs appointments in Canada (if you can't get it sorted in uk before you go). That way all above board and you can sleep at night without worrying 
Jun 23rd 2016, 10:39 am
#32
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Re: Driving license pickle
I have to admit my hackles rose slightly in reading OP's comments with regarding to her initial Dr recommending assessment and her dismissing that advice as "making a mountain out of a molehill" - not wise. The doctors advice was sound and should not bave been dismissed so lightly. It maybe that mountain is the one that you will now have to climb. You clearly don't hold the medical community in very high regard, supported by your comments about your GP. We have your words as to what was said/ interpreted but again your attitude was perhaps a tad shall we say intolerant and derogatory.
Anyhow, moving on, I have thought at length how you could be helped in your dilemma. You don't have time sorting it out in the UK , not properly anyhow- this would involve going to the GP and getting a referral to a neurologist to examine you and get an EEG. You could get a confirmatory letter letter from your GP to say that you had a one of seizure three years ago and that it was as a result of trauma and you have had none since. The problem is that you have to write to the DVLA to get updated licence, you must declare the seizure but confirm that it was isolated never recurred and was related to trauma.
They will I'm sure need a report from your GP and possibly a neurologist report. Presumably you could get one here in NS but your medical coverage won't kick in for 3/12. It is getting very complicated
I tried to find the medical fitness requirements to drive in NS but couldn't find it so had to refer as an example to the BC one where I work. I enclose a screen grab of the page.
If you had been in BC and assessed and deemed fit by a neurologist to drive then that is a straight away drive. The problem is that you don't have a current licence to swap, if that is what they do in NS as they they do say here in BC.
It may be as Gozit suggested, leave it til you get here, get assessed by neurologist then get an NS licence but by a test presumably rather than by direct swap. That will take time but I think your choices are sadly limited.
Occasionally doctors do talk sense believe it not
Anyhow, moving on, I have thought at length how you could be helped in your dilemma. You don't have time sorting it out in the UK , not properly anyhow- this would involve going to the GP and getting a referral to a neurologist to examine you and get an EEG. You could get a confirmatory letter letter from your GP to say that you had a one of seizure three years ago and that it was as a result of trauma and you have had none since. The problem is that you have to write to the DVLA to get updated licence, you must declare the seizure but confirm that it was isolated never recurred and was related to trauma.
They will I'm sure need a report from your GP and possibly a neurologist report. Presumably you could get one here in NS but your medical coverage won't kick in for 3/12. It is getting very complicated
I tried to find the medical fitness requirements to drive in NS but couldn't find it so had to refer as an example to the BC one where I work. I enclose a screen grab of the page.
If you had been in BC and assessed and deemed fit by a neurologist to drive then that is a straight away drive. The problem is that you don't have a current licence to swap, if that is what they do in NS as they they do say here in BC.
It may be as Gozit suggested, leave it til you get here, get assessed by neurologist then get an NS licence but by a test presumably rather than by direct swap. That will take time but I think your choices are sadly limited.
Occasionally doctors do talk sense believe it not
I'm sorry but I never said anything intolerant or derogatory about the medical community or my GP. My GP has not been that great towards me in the past but I still took on board her advice & tried to follow it, it was my personal opinion (knowing myself & the circumstances around the incident) that it was blown out of proportion but that doesn't mean I dismissed my GP. I know you are taking it personally because you are a doctor & maybe some of your patients frustrate you or can be disrespectful but don't project your experiences onto me.
Thank you for the rest of your advice though. I am trying to make an appointment with my GP, hopefully she will be able to a least write a letter for me.
Last edited by confused_uk; Jun 23rd 2016 at 10:52 am.
Jun 23rd 2016, 3:04 pm
#33
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Re: Driving license pickle
Seems to me you are deflecting blame here. You got sound advice, were told not to drive, got a referral but couldn't be bothered to wait 3 months for a specialist opinion ( you're in for a shock when you get here- I would consider that an urgent appointment!!). Investigating a first seizure isn't "making a mountain out of a molehill" as you are now finding out!
Two weeks before you emigrate, you now decide you need to address this issue .
If your GP can't get you in before you move, it's because she's seeing sick people, not someone who had an issue which should have been dealt with 3 years ago and is leaving the country. A letter for driving in Canada, I would class as private so there should be a charge rather than on the NHS.
I would suggest you go to a walk in clinic asap on your arrival and start the ball rolling over here. Don't drive until given the all clear for the sake of others.
Harsh maybe, but people who drive when they have medical issues and have been told not to, really upset me. Over the years I have seen and heard of some distressing incidents caused by such people. Driving is a privilege not a right.
Two weeks before you emigrate, you now decide you need to address this issue .
If your GP can't get you in before you move, it's because she's seeing sick people, not someone who had an issue which should have been dealt with 3 years ago and is leaving the country. A letter for driving in Canada, I would class as private so there should be a charge rather than on the NHS.
I would suggest you go to a walk in clinic asap on your arrival and start the ball rolling over here. Don't drive until given the all clear for the sake of others.
Harsh maybe, but people who drive when they have medical issues and have been told not to, really upset me. Over the years I have seen and heard of some distressing incidents caused by such people. Driving is a privilege not a right.
Jun 23rd 2016, 3:16 pm
#34
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Driving license pickle
That's nice, but won't help with licensing. You will be required to have (and pay for) a medical in NS, possibly also a specialist referral, up to the doc doing the medical. When this is for licensing the medical plan does not pay for it, the applicant pays privately.
If one lies when getting a license, the applicant is specifically asked about medical conditions, this can invalidate insurance and also the suspension and possibly cancellation of a license.
I would say this is a little more than a pickle!
Perosnally, ignoring a doctors advice and knowing better 'making a mountain out of a molehill' is foolish at best and trying to get a drivers license without disclosure and admitting one hates driving and having not driven for 15 years is very unwise.
Jun 23rd 2016, 3:41 pm
#35
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Re: Driving license pickle
the doctor told me not to drive & referred me to a specialist (making a mountain out of a molehill in my opinion), after trying to book this appointment & keep being told there's none available for about 3 months I gave up. I didn't know I was supposed have reported this to the DVLA until this week.
My problem now is that I have no time to rectify this. If I declare it, it will probably mean getting a GP appointment (no chance in the time I have left) & she will probably insist on me seeing a specialist before she signs anything off. You can get your license back if you have been seizure free for a year (which I obviously have) so this is all down to bureaucracy at this point.
My GP is pants, it takes 2 days just to get through on the phone, then you are lucky to get an appointment within 3 weeks, & they will only give you an emergency appointment if it's an urgent medical problem. Last time I saw her she asked me to leave because she was tired & her next patient is dying, I pretty sure she is not going to give two hoots about whether I can drive or not.
My problem now is that I have no time to rectify this. If I declare it, it will probably mean getting a GP appointment (no chance in the time I have left) & she will probably insist on me seeing a specialist before she signs anything off. You can get your license back if you have been seizure free for a year (which I obviously have) so this is all down to bureaucracy at this point.
My GP is pants, it takes 2 days just to get through on the phone, then you are lucky to get an appointment within 3 weeks, & they will only give you an emergency appointment if it's an urgent medical problem. Last time I saw her she asked me to leave because she was tired & her next patient is dying, I pretty sure she is not going to give two hoots about whether I can drive or not.
I'm sorry but I never said anything intolerant or derogatory about the medical community or my GP. My GP has not been that great towards me in the past but I still took on board her advice & tried to follow it, it was my personal opinion (knowing myself & the circumstances around the incident) that it was blown out of proportion but that doesn't mean I dismissed my GP. I know you are taking it personally because you are a doctor & maybe some of your patients frustrate you or can be disrespectful but don't project your experiences onto me.
Im not going to let that one go, I am certainly not taking this personally, Im just a touch shocked by your dismissive attitude. I would say that your bolded comments above strongly suggest that you felt that you knew better than both the medical profession, medical evidence, motor vehicle statistics gathered over the years . Your comments with regard to your GP are derogatory, no question
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jun 23rd 2016 at 3:45 pm. Reason: Fixed quote
Jun 23rd 2016, 7:01 pm
#36
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Re: Driving license pickle
Seems to me you are deflecting blame here. You got sound advice, were told not to drive, got a referral but couldn't be bothered to wait 3 months for a specialist opinion ( you're in for a shock when you get here- I would consider that an urgent appointment!!). Investigating a first seizure isn't "making a mountain out of a molehill" as you are now finding out!
Two weeks before you emigrate, you now decide you need to address this issue .
If your GP can't get you in before you move, it's because she's seeing sick people, not someone who had an issue which should have been dealt with 3 years ago and is leaving the country. A letter for driving in Canada, I would class as private so there should be a charge rather than on the NHS.
I would suggest you go to a walk in clinic asap on your arrival and start the ball rolling over here. Don't drive until given the all clear for the sake of others.
Harsh maybe, but people who drive when they have medical issues and have been told not to, really upset me. Over the years I have seen and heard of some distressing incidents caused by such people. Driving is a privilege not a right.
Two weeks before you emigrate, you now decide you need to address this issue .
If your GP can't get you in before you move, it's because she's seeing sick people, not someone who had an issue which should have been dealt with 3 years ago and is leaving the country. A letter for driving in Canada, I would class as private so there should be a charge rather than on the NHS.
I would suggest you go to a walk in clinic asap on your arrival and start the ball rolling over here. Don't drive until given the all clear for the sake of others.
Harsh maybe, but people who drive when they have medical issues and have been told not to, really upset me. Over the years I have seen and heard of some distressing incidents caused by such people. Driving is a privilege not a right.
Im not going to let that one go, I am certainly not taking this personally, Im just a touch shocked by your dismissive attitude. I would say that your bolded comments above strongly suggest that you felt that you knew better than both the medical profession, medical evidence, motor vehicle statistics gathered over the years . Your comments with regard to your GP are derogatory, no question
a) I wasn't given any appointment to see a specialist. The system was I had to go to a website & request one using my referral code & every time I tried it said no appointments available. After 3 months of trying to book one I gave up. Maybe I should have gone back to the GP & told her the problem but this was months later, I felt fine, & I didn't want to bother her.
b) I am not blaming anyone. I have already acknowledged I am partly to blame for not sorting it earlier. Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it? I am just trying to find out what my options are under the circumstances I am in & I genuinely wasn't aware I was suppose to inform DVLA until this week.
c) I took the doctors advice & haven't driven so I would really appreciate it if people can stop grouping me in with people that have caused accidents because they shouldn't have been driving, I understand the seriousness of that but I do not fall under that category. Now I want to drive again I am just trying to do the right thing & get the issue sorted. Even if I had known about declaring the incident to DVLA I would be clear to drive now according to their website given the time that has passed, this is purely a paperwork/legality issue not a fitness to drive issue (which yes I should & will check with my Dr first).
d) The only derogatory thing you can take from my comments is me saying 'my GP is pants' which was a light hearted comment not directed at my GP or anyone that works there but at the ridiculous system that allows them to be as overstretched as they are in my area. I did not say or even think, I expect them to see me on this issue over their sick patients, I merely stated that when I am sick I have to wait 3 weeks for an appointment, so my chances of getting a non sickness appointment before then are slim. I also didn't say I expect the NHS to pay for anything (you really are just making stuff up now), if the doctor wants to charge me for writing a letter then that's fine.
e) I do not think I know better than the medical professionals or anyone else nor do I have a dismissive attitude towards the situation. Again for the umpteenth I haven't gone against any medical advice or broken the law because I haven't driven. My only crime which you seem to want to string me up for is not knowing I was obligated to tell the DVLA about it.
Must be hard being so perfect & having to spend your days passing judgements on strangers on the internet.
That's nice, but won't help with licensing. You will be required to have (and pay for) a medical in NS, possibly also a specialist referral, up to the doc doing the medical. When this is for licensing the medical plan does not pay for it, the applicant pays privately.
If one lies when getting a license, the applicant is specifically asked about medical conditions, this can invalidate insurance and also the suspension and possibly cancellation of a license.
I would say this is a little more than a pickle!
Perosnally, ignoring a doctors advice and knowing better 'making a mountain out of a molehill' is foolish at best and trying to get a drivers license without disclosure and admitting one hates driving and having not driven for 15 years is very unwise.
If one lies when getting a license, the applicant is specifically asked about medical conditions, this can invalidate insurance and also the suspension and possibly cancellation of a license.
I would say this is a little more than a pickle!
Perosnally, ignoring a doctors advice and knowing better 'making a mountain out of a molehill' is foolish at best and trying to get a drivers license without disclosure and admitting one hates driving and having not driven for 15 years is very unwise.
I wouldn't say I haven't driven at all in that time (prior to this incident), I had done the odd short journey & a bit of driving when we've been to NS over the years. My issue with it is not my own ability to do it, I just don't like the impatient drivers in the UK, that's not really a problem in NS because there's hardly any other cars around. I do take your earlier point though & had always planned to take a few refresher lessons before I do it again. I have no intention of becoming a danger on the road.
Last edited by confused_uk; Jun 23rd 2016 at 7:04 pm.
Jun 23rd 2016, 7:02 pm
#37
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Re: Driving license pickle
Mods, I think it's time to close this now before it turns into one of those threads.
Thanks everyone for your help/links etc., I think I have clearer picture now of what I need to do.
Thanks everyone for your help/links etc., I think I have clearer picture now of what I need to do.
Jun 23rd 2016, 7:08 pm
#38
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Re: Driving license pickle
Lets get a few things straight since you both seem to want to make this a personal attack.
a) I wasn't given any appointment to see a specialist. The system was I had to go to a website & request one using my referral code & every time I tried it said no appointments available. After 3 months of trying to book one I gave up. Maybe I should have gone back to the GP & told her the problem but this was months later, I felt fine, & I didn't want to bother her.
b) I am not blaming anyone. I have already acknowledged I am partly to blame for not sorting it earlier. Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it? I am just trying to find out what my options are under the circumstances I am in & I genuinely wasn't aware I was suppose to inform DVLA until this week.
c) I took the doctors advice & haven't driven so I would really appreciate it if people can stop grouping me in with people that have caused accidents because they shouldn't have been driving, I understand the seriousness of that but I do not fall under that category. Now I want to drive again I am just trying to do the right thing & get the issue sorted. Even if I had known about declaring the incident to DVLA I would be clear to drive now according to their website given the time that has passed, this is purely a paperwork/legality issue not a fitness to drive issue (which yes I should & will check with my Dr first).
d) The only derogatory thing you can take from my comments is me saying 'my GP is pants' which was a light hearted comment not directed at my GP or anyone that works there but at the ridiculous system that allows them to be as overstretched as they are in my area. I did not say or even think, I expect them to see me on this issue over their sick patients, I merely stated that when I am sick I have to wait 3 weeks for an appointment, so my chances of getting a non sickness appointment before then are slim. I also didn't say I expect the NHS to pay for anything (you really are just making stuff up now), if the doctor wants to charge me for writing a letter then that's fine.
e) I do not think I know better than the medical professionals or anyone else nor do I have a dismissive attitude towards the situation. Again for the umpteenth I haven't gone against any medical advice or broken the law because I haven't driven. My only crime which you seem to want to string me up for is not knowing I was obligated to tell the DVLA about it.
Must be hard being so perfect & having to spend your days passing judgements on strangers on the internet.
I think my next step now is to see my GP anyway & hopefully get it in writing that I am fit to drive. Then at least it's something on record in the UK & something to show on the NS side when I declare it, but if they want to send me to specialists over there then so be it. One of the mods found some information about if it was caused by an avoidable trigger (which it was) then there's no need to declare it, so it might be I fall under that, I'll have to find out from the GP.
I wouldn't say I haven't driven at all in that time (prior to this incident), I had done the odd short journey & a bit of driving when we've been to NS over the years. My issue with it is not my own ability to do it, I just don't like the impatient drivers in the UK, that's not really a problem in NS because there's hardly any other cars around. I do take your earlier point though & had always planned to take a few refresher lessons before I do it again. I have no intention of becoming a danger on the road.
a) I wasn't given any appointment to see a specialist. The system was I had to go to a website & request one using my referral code & every time I tried it said no appointments available. After 3 months of trying to book one I gave up. Maybe I should have gone back to the GP & told her the problem but this was months later, I felt fine, & I didn't want to bother her.
b) I am not blaming anyone. I have already acknowledged I am partly to blame for not sorting it earlier. Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it? I am just trying to find out what my options are under the circumstances I am in & I genuinely wasn't aware I was suppose to inform DVLA until this week.
c) I took the doctors advice & haven't driven so I would really appreciate it if people can stop grouping me in with people that have caused accidents because they shouldn't have been driving, I understand the seriousness of that but I do not fall under that category. Now I want to drive again I am just trying to do the right thing & get the issue sorted. Even if I had known about declaring the incident to DVLA I would be clear to drive now according to their website given the time that has passed, this is purely a paperwork/legality issue not a fitness to drive issue (which yes I should & will check with my Dr first).
d) The only derogatory thing you can take from my comments is me saying 'my GP is pants' which was a light hearted comment not directed at my GP or anyone that works there but at the ridiculous system that allows them to be as overstretched as they are in my area. I did not say or even think, I expect them to see me on this issue over their sick patients, I merely stated that when I am sick I have to wait 3 weeks for an appointment, so my chances of getting a non sickness appointment before then are slim. I also didn't say I expect the NHS to pay for anything (you really are just making stuff up now), if the doctor wants to charge me for writing a letter then that's fine.
e) I do not think I know better than the medical professionals or anyone else nor do I have a dismissive attitude towards the situation. Again for the umpteenth I haven't gone against any medical advice or broken the law because I haven't driven. My only crime which you seem to want to string me up for is not knowing I was obligated to tell the DVLA about it.
Must be hard being so perfect & having to spend your days passing judgements on strangers on the internet.
I think my next step now is to see my GP anyway & hopefully get it in writing that I am fit to drive. Then at least it's something on record in the UK & something to show on the NS side when I declare it, but if they want to send me to specialists over there then so be it. One of the mods found some information about if it was caused by an avoidable trigger (which it was) then there's no need to declare it, so it might be I fall under that, I'll have to find out from the GP.
I wouldn't say I haven't driven at all in that time (prior to this incident), I had done the odd short journey & a bit of driving when we've been to NS over the years. My issue with it is not my own ability to do it, I just don't like the impatient drivers in the UK, that's not really a problem in NS because there's hardly any other cars around. I do take your earlier point though & had always planned to take a few refresher lessons before I do it again. I have no intention of becoming a danger on the road.
I would like to highlight the reason I mention the crash in glasgow was purely from the point of view that the guy didn't declare previously passing out when he should of.
Jun 23rd 2016, 7:13 pm
#39
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Re: Driving license pickle
I know, I wasn't aiming that at you. That was an awful incident & a reason why people shouldn't drive when they are told not to.
Jun 23rd 2016, 7:14 pm
#40
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Re: Driving license pickle
Good, honestly i really think thats the point everyone was trying to make. It would be better to declare rather than omit.
Jun 26th 2016, 11:38 am
#41
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Re: Driving license pickle
Whatever you might do about your license pickle Confused, do you think when it is resolved you might do a driving course to ready yourself and gain confidence?
I am still rubbish at driving in the snow, but then so it would seem are lots of Canadians...
