Author Topic: When to notify DVLA and Insurance about a medical diagnosis?  (Read 2552 times)

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I have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, and NHS has supplied documents to notify DVLA and Insurance. Unfortunately, the documents doesn't contain anything relevant when to notify them. I have also been given a CPAP machine, which I am using every night.

Additionally, I was told to make sure that when I notify DVLA, I have enough CPAP data recorded with NHS so they can say that I am using the treatment (CPAP machine) as per recommendation, and therefore I am fit to drive normally. This is required once every 3 years.

I intend to call my hospital tomorrow to understand this duration/timeline, but if anyone here has any suggestions or feedback on this, I will gladly take it.

BTW, the machine is a life changer. My snoring has stopped, wife is very happy, and I do not feel tired/exhausted anymore.

Thanks

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Re: When to notify DVLA and Insurance about a medical diagnosis?
« Reply #1 on: »
When I was diagnosed, I was told to notify DVLA immediately. No mention of data, and indeed there was a 2-3 month wait for the machine to be supplied.

I knew that DVLA are very quick to revoke a licence, but notoriously slow to return it. Instead of telling the DVLA I sold my car so I wouldn't be tempted to use it, and bought another one when I got the CPAP machine.
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Re: When to notify DVLA and Insurance about a medical diagnosis?
« Reply #2 on: »
I have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, and NHS has supplied documents to notify DVLA and Insurance. Unfortunately, the documents doesn't contain anything relevant when to notify them.
As I understand it the duty to notify arises immediately once you become aware that you have a notifiable medical condition.
I practice law in the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, London Tribunals, the First-tier tribunal for Scotland, and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal for Northern Ireland, but I am not a solicitor or a barrister. Notwithstanding this, I voluntarily apply the cab rank rule. I am a member of the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends, my membership number is FM193 and I abide by the SPMF service standards.

Quote from: 'Gumph' date='Thu, 19 Jan 2023 - 10:23'
cp8759 is, indeed, a Wizard of the First Order
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Re: When to notify DVLA and Insurance about a medical diagnosis?
« Reply #3 on: »
My insurance has a paragraph which basically says that, so long as I notify DVLA and follow their instructions, there's no need to tell my insurer.

I may be talking total nonsense but is there not some issue with discrimination that stops insurers loading premiums for 'disabled' drivers. If so, that may explain my insurer's no need to notify them policy?

Re: When to notify DVLA and Insurance about a medical diagnosis?
« Reply #4 on: »
As you should know from the gov.uk website you must contact DVLA immediately.

https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving

If you do not, you could be liable to a fine.

DVLA will advise you what action to take, which could include requesting the surrender of your licence.

I don't see how we can advise other than as stated clearly on the website because we have no idea of the severity of your condition nor the conditions of your insurance policy.

An insurer undertakes to insure a person and charges according to their (their underwriter's) assessment of risk. It is solely the insurer's decision.

Re: When to notify DVLA and Insurance about a medical diagnosis?
« Reply #5 on: »
I may be talking total nonsense but is there not some issue with discrimination that stops insurers loading premiums for 'disabled' drivers.
If the disability increases the risk, I'm not aware of any restriction on the insurer's ability to price that risk accordingly. The only restriction I'm aware of is that women cannot be charged less than men, because that absurd bit of retained EU law has not been abolished yet.
I practice law in the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, London Tribunals, the First-tier tribunal for Scotland, and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal for Northern Ireland, but I am not a solicitor or a barrister. Notwithstanding this, I voluntarily apply the cab rank rule. I am a member of the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends, my membership number is FM193 and I abide by the SPMF service standards.

Quote from: 'Gumph' date='Thu, 19 Jan 2023 - 10:23'
cp8759 is, indeed, a Wizard of the First Order

Re: When to notify DVLA and Insurance about a medical diagnosis?
« Reply #6 on: »
I notified DVLA and my insurance provider immediately after the first 3 posts.

I am happy to say DVLA has replied to continue driving As-Is, and to re-notify them if there are any changes in my condition.

Thank you Everyone for the guidance.