I'm afraid my partner is in a similar position. She surrendered her licence after having a fit (which we think was due to a particular drug she was prescribed) but has now been clear of any problems for several years. She has not yet applied to get her licence back but as I pointed out to her, I am a lot older than her and eventually I will be unable to drive but she will still be capable. I'm wondering how difficult it will be to get her licence back.

 

So sorry to here to hear about your issues with DVLA medical. I would always follow your GP / Hospital Doctor advice re driving but knowing how slow DVLA medical work - it is best probably not to surrender your license voluntary as getting it back via that route is really hard. Depending on the particular circumstances a GP can be persuaded not to write to DVLA on situations where the impairment is temporary as long as assurances are given and are believed that you are following their advice.

Current situation re my wife - currently license revoked by DVLA in 2019 with multiple medical conditions - she is awaiting surgery in early 2025 after which she might be well enough to apply yet again - been bounced twice by DVLA since 2019 - hopefully for her 3rd time lucky.

 

Hmm. You wouldn't ever catch me voluntarily surrendering my license, as you just know TPTB will make it hard to get back. If you know you aren't up to driving, just don't do it, surely?

 

Matches the advice I was given by a doctor years ago. He told me I must not drive (following surgery) until he said it was OK, but added that I should not tell DVLA. Presumably his view was similar!

 

When wife worked for the NHS, most hateful job ever... one of her duties was dealing/fending off endless calls from people trying to get their license back suffering huge delays.

 

Car insurance could be another variable in these circumstances.

 

Just to clarify the point about surrendering my driving licence, on my discharge paperwork from the hospital, it was written on there to not drive for six months, a copy of that would have been sent to my doctor. The doctor told me to inform the DVLA. That was when I was told to send my licence back.

Could someone clarify something for me, please.

When I put my car off the road, what happen with the road tax. Does it start again when I put the car back on the road, will I start the twelve-month tax from that point? Will I be sent a road tax form to fill in?
This is all new to me.

 

I can understand your doctor wanting to cover his backside TBH, but I'd have been inclined to take his advice as just that, rather than an instruction. That is, however, with the benefit of hindsight!

To get your car off SORN (which is I guess what you have done: When you need to make a SORN ) all you need to do is tax it, the SORN gets automatically cancelled. I used to do this for a tow car I had, that was never used in winter. I'd SORN it in October each year then tax it in March to get it back on the road.

 

Thank you for your message. I am 5 months after my fall and I am counting for this 6 month to come. It is devastating and depressing not knowing what will happen. Wish me luck.