How to make a complaint about the DVLA medical assessment process

Hro medical (your experiences)

Convicted Driver Insurance
i was caught drink driving approx 12 years ago moving the car 20 yards into a car park...... 3+ years ago during covid I picked up the courage to get driving again because family members who were ill needed transported..... Well, it took my local doctor and the DVLA 3 paper medical forms and 1.5 years later to finally tell me i had to go for a specialist medical test..... By that stage one of the close family members i was looking after had passed away..... I finally picked up the courage to go for this test to help the other family member, thinking if i didn't drink anything for a few days i'd be ok, no surprise there...I failed it. It was only then i started to look into why i failed as i've got a fatty liver and take statins and by that stage i was completely pissed off with the DVLA and my doctor for leading me up the garden path-ie, thinking a few bears a week should be fine. Surprise surprise the DVLA doctor's receptionist phoned and said there's another slot for you to do another test but its in a few days time because the doctor is retiring.....Now by this stage I knew i wouldn't pass the test and they were adding more and more weight to the yoke i was already carrying, digging deeper into the NHS's pocket at the same time.....I refused to attend that appointment and got a letter from the DVLA stating all these consequences because i refused to show, bla, bla, bla.

That's been over a year ago and i'm thinking on reapplying for my provisional. This time i have to pay £320+ so its great that i've been directed onto this forum so i can get more accurate information about the liver blood tests (2 of them, i believe). It's a shame the doctors and the DVLA didn't share such information at the beginning. It could have helped me pass the test and saved the tax payer money.

Anyways, that's my brief but painful encounter with them and i'm glad i came across this forum because its extremely helpful in getting banned drivers (spent or not) back on the road and maybe more importantly helps them see a better future instead of focusing on the setbacks they've encountered by so-called professionals who claim to uphold the law.
 
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Dovi88 said:
I always think the undue stress this puts on everyone can make some people reverse back to the place they may have been 1, 2, 3 years ago when they were silly enough to get in a car over the limit and drive! Doesn’t make sense.
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Very true. The DVLA and doctors will claim they're making the roads safer. That in my opinion is very short sighted especially when you consider communities and society as a whole. Relations can break down, trust is lost, less job opportunities, health deteriorates, NHS put under more pressure....the list is endless.

Not knowing where one is at during this process seems to be the main problem. At school your teacher at least told you what grade you were approx at before the final exam, yet renewing a driving license is pot luck....no 'tailored' plan of action is set out from the beginning. It needs to be tailored as every individual is different.

To effectively and holistically deal with driver renewal, the applicant should be told this is what we expect from you, here's your homework. That's not the case though, especially when its alcohol related as its a legal drug and the government weekly intake can result in failing the medical. ???
 
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What is the point asking your doctor for LFT's when the DVLA don't accept them anymore? It's a waste of time and NHS money, never mind the stress added.
 
Lipgloss15 said:
DVLA dont accept LFT's anymore?
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What LFT's do is give your GP an indication of your drinking habits. If you have 2 or 3 a year on file and the DVLA write to them, they will at least have some backup evidence to confirm any statement you have made to the GP regarding your alcohol consumption.
 
I had my bloods on Friday for my renewal after my 1 year licence expired , does anyone know the rough time scale at the moment? They already have my doctor note's if that makes a difference
 
Norts said:
Well after checking online religiously every morning noon and night, I've just checked now and have been granted a 1yr license as of midnight tonight. I had my medical on 15th August, so it's taken 5 weeks from the date of the medical for them to contact my GP, make a decision and grant me a 1yr license. Even though it's only a 12 month one, I'm over the moon! Just need to look for insurance now as I'm away for the weekend and can't get out on the road until Monday.

I was a HRO (two convictions, 2yrs apart) so if anyone wants to ask any questions about my experience, go for it.
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On you're medical it asks when you last drank. Did you state when or do you not drink anymore. Alot of people saying that you should say that you don't drink anymore I'm confused. And do DVLA always get in touch with your own GP?
 
mini6707 said:
On you're medical it asks when you last drank. Did you state when or do you not drink anymore. Alot of people saying that you should say that you don't drink anymore I'm confused. And do DVLA always get in touch with your own GP?
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It’s my partner who I was asking questions about, he said he last drank 6 weeks before the medical and he drank 1-2 times per month within a controlled amount, they did contact his doctor and he has no drinking dependency on his medical records.
 
mini6707 said:
On you're medical it asks when you last drank. Did you state when or do you not drink anymore. Alot of people saying that you should say that you don't drink anymore I'm confused. And do DVLA always get in touch with your own GP?
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DVLA almost always get in contact with your own Gp if you are classed as HRO and applying to regain your licence after a ban. You will be required to undertake a medical which they look for a CDT count below 1%. On the medical questionnaire it will ask when did you last consume alcohol, how many units and how often, the dvla doctor will ask the same questions. By admitting to having a small amount that will alert them to look into your past medical history and contact your doctor to see if you have any past issues with drink.

I would 1000% speak to your own doctor and inform them you are applying to regain your licence after a ban for DD. Getting them onside is paramount as they will be required to fill out a dvla questionnaire. A lot of people get their last drink recorded on their medical notes as future ref if you are asked to prove 6/12 months abstaining from alcohol.
 
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