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Driving Licence Medical Appeals

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We may think that our right to drive is a given, but a driving licence is no more than a permission to drive. That permission can be taken away by the Department for Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) when there are grounds to do so. If you’ve had your driving licence revoked, or if your driving licence application has been refused, we can help you. 

We specialise in assisting individuals navigate the complex process of appealing a DVLA decision to revoke a driving licence or to refuse a driving licence application on medical grounds. We stay up to date on how an individual’s fitness to drive is assessed and when an individual should or shouldn’t be deemed fit to drive. This means the advice we give you on whether you can challenge the DVLA decision in your case will be correct.

Our team includes Philip Somarakis, the leading lawyer for driving licence medical appeals. Philip’s experience and knowhow will be used to make sure you’ve got the best chance of getting a licence or getting your licence back.

Time is of the essence when it comes to appealing DVLA decisions. Contact our team to start your appeal.

 
Leading legal experts in driving licence appeals
Over 25 years' experience
Offices around the country
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Loren Hills Associate Chartered Legal Executive Meet Our Team

Driving Licence Medical Appeals - More Information

Our team is led by Philip Somarakis, Partner and National Head of the Regulatory and Crime Department at Irwin Mitchell. Philip has over 20 years of experience and has appeared in the Magistrates’ Courts for clients on a range of complex DVLA matters. Philip has also spearheaded an effort to change the law to make the DVLA’s treatment of drivers with visual defects fairer, in line with that of European countries.

One of Philip’s appeal cases resulted in an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman (PHSO), which found failings in the way that Department made decisions either to revoke driving licences, or to refuse to grant driving licences to people who had reported medical issues. Philip’s case was reported in the Sunday Times.

We’ve offices around the UK which makes sure there’s an expert at the nearest office to you. Our team can also be fully flexible to your needs. If you prefer us to come to you, we can. If you prefer a video or phone call, we’ll do that for you.

We actively avoid using legal jargon which can confusing to people outside the world of law. Our lawyers will explain everything to you in plain English and also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

This will depend on certain factors. If your reading was two and a half times above the legal limit, you’ll be treated as a high-risk offender. This means you’ll need a medical. You’ll also need to have a medical if you’ve been disqualified twice within 10 years, or if you failed to give a sample.

There are minimum standards for field of vision. We can advise you on whether you satisfy the minimum standards. Visual field defects that infringe within 20° of the point of fixation may be acceptable. The DVLA will accept scattered single missed points or a single cluster of up to three adjoining points, but not both.

A cluster of four or more adjoining points that is either wholly or partly within the central 20° area is not acceptable. If you’ve got clusters of four or more missed spots, the DVLA won’t let you drive.

If you can’t meet the minimum standards, it may be possible to get your licence back if you’re considered as an “exceptional case”. Our lawyers have lots of experience in helping people prove that they are eligible for relicensing consideration as exceptional cases.

  • A “relevant” disability where the condition is prescribed by a doctor. This is a medical condition that’s diagnosed by a doctor (such as epilepsy, severe mental disorder, or significant visual field loss).
  • A “relevant” disability where the medical condition is such that it considers it likely to render the person a source of danger while driving. The DVLA gives the example of a visual field defect as a medical condition that’s likely to affect someone’s driving. This could be grounds to refuse or revoke a licence.
  • A prospective disability is any medical condition, which, because of its progressive or intermittent nature, may develop into a prescribed or relevant disability in the course of time. A driver with a prospective disability may usually only hold a driving licence subject to medical review in one, two or three years.

Frequently Asked Questions

I had my driving licence revoked on medical grounds, what should I do?

You need to understand the reasons why you’ve had your driving licence revoked. The DVLA should send you a letter explaining why your licence has been revoked. If the letter doesn’t provide enough information, you can request more information from the DVLA.

We regularly deal with the DVLA, and we can help you find out why your permission to drive has been revoked or refused.

I think I've a medical problem that may affect my ability to drive. Do I need to inform DVLA?

Your doctor or consultant will be able to tell you whether you need to let the DVLA know.

You can find more information on the medical conditions that impact a person’s right to drive on the gov.uk website.

 

I'm a diabetic. Are there any restrictions on me being able to drive a car?

Whether you need to notify DVLA about your diabetes depends on the type of diabetes you have. This is why it’s important you get advice from your doctor or consultant or speak to us.

If your diabetes is treated by tablets, diet, or both, you don’t need to notify DVLA, if you don’t suffer with any complications such as hypoglycaemia.

If you’re still unsure, we’re here to help you understand what you should do. Contact us for expert help.

* To make a No Win No Fee claim, you need to enter a No Win No Fee agreement that's linked to a suitable insurance policy. We'll explain this in more detail before we start your claim.

About Irwin Mitchell

Founded in Sheffield in 1912, Irwin Mitchell has always been a bit different. Our advisers really get to know the people and business that we help.

We have offices around the UK so wherever you are, our experts can help.

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