British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Sleep apnoea trust have produced a leaflet on osa and driving .

Check it out

http://www.sleep-apnoea-trust.org/media ... %20OSA.pdf

I CAN TELL YOUS ALL DVLA MUST BE INFORMED OF ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONie SLEEP APNOEA ESPECIALLY MOST PEOPLE WITH THIS BEING TREATED OR NOT YOUR LIECENCE WILL BE REVOKED UNTILL YOUR GP,CLINIC etc TELL US DVLA THAT YOU. NO LONGER ARE NEEDING TREATMENT. IM NOT POSTING FROM WORK BUT SUGGEST YOUU LOOK AT DIRECTGOV/DVLA/MED/CONDITIONS A VERY CONCERNED ROAD USER THANKS AND BE CAREFULL OUT THERE!!

Please don't post in capital letters. It makes it very hard to read. Thanks.

Hi
Richard notified the DVLA on 17th August re sleep apnoea after he had all the doctors names from Papworth and had been given his CPAP machine to put on to DVLA form. He has had a letter today (07.09.11) giving him the ok to drive. He has been sent a form to return with a photo for a new photocard driving licence which was posted this pm so hopefully not too long now before he is back behind the wheel
Carol

I'm delighted for you and Richard, Carol!

Mind you, today I met a lady here in Alsace who'd had a really nasty accident through falling asleep at the wheel and who now has a CPAP ... luckily she didn't hit anyone else but she's given herself severe injuries, and totalled her car ....

I have recently seen a Dr at the hospital and he said it appears I have sleep anpea but stills needs to an initial sleep study etc. He advised I do not drive unless I really have to. Does this require me to inform the DVLA or my insurance company or do I wait until i recieve a letter stating, "you have a diagnosis of sleep apnea".

Stuart

The fact that your doctor has said it appears you have sleep apnoea is now on your medical records and to be honest I wouldn't drive at all. I was a learner when I was diagnosed and stopped driving immediately until I got my CPAP machine.

I did inform the DVLA and you must also inform your car insurance company as if you have an accident which could be attributed to falling asleep at the wheel (and possibly even if not!) your insurance will be void. In my case I informed the DVLA immediately I got my machine but as I say, I did not drive in between. I also informed my insurance company and luckily it did not increase my premium. Once I had the machine and was under control I contacted the DVLA again and they sent me a letter to say I was OK to drive (they never revoked my licence).

Please do not drive if you are having sleepy moments during the day. In my case I could fall asleep within minutes of sitting in a car as a passenger and would not want to take the risk of actually being in control of a car.

If i lose my sons provisional driving license but is no longer able to drive due to medical conditions will the dvla just send out a replacement provisional but notify it is not valid ? Can somebody please help thanks its sentimental

Could you please clarify your post jojo? I can't follow what you're asking.

Jojo
Passports and driving licences belong to the state, not individuals. So if they ask for them back - all they are asking for is for their own property to be returned.

Sorry.

When you apply for a new passport they return the old one with the corner cut off so they don't usually keep them. I'm not sure why JoJo is asking other than now that his son is no longer able to drive he would like a copy of the license to keep as a momento. I hope that he is able to find the answer but unfortunately I'm not able to answer if it is getting a copy.

I think it would be better if you inform them about your illness. This way you won't have any serious problems in the future.

Its for your own sake.


Regards,Joan

After being told by my consultant that I was legally required to tell the DVLA, after being diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnoea, I wrote to then telling them that I had been put on a CPAP machine and was responding well. I thought that if I had an accident and the insurance company got my medical records, I would not be covered.

Heard today from DVLA that I still satisfy the medical standards for driving and may keep my licence, but must tell them if my condition gets worse.

Consultant did say that you must show that you have four solid hours sleep per night as a minimum to keep licence, but I have not yet seen the first results of sleep using the CPAP. Pre-CPAP, I was waking up 60 times an hour.

Can anyone please clarify for me: Can I drive whilst waiting for an appointment for a Sleep Test? I haven't been tested or Diagnosed. There are plans in motion about purchasing a car for me, but I feel frustrated that I won't be able to drive it.

However, I do have a relative who has MS, but they are still driving and as far as i know, have NOT informed DVLA...