License

[jjaammeess]

Hello

I would really appreciate help with the following.My son is 28 years of age and has passed his driving test in March this year and is now applying for a full license.He has suffered from depression and about two years ago he took an overdose and was in hospital for about two weeks .But he has made a good recoveryand is on medication at the moment .On the application form for a full license you have to disclose information about any psychiatric illness.Can anybody tell me if he discloses this information will he gets his full license or is this sufficient past illness history to prevent him getting a full license.He is very anxious about this as he is hoping to get promotion at his job and this promotion would require the use of a car.thanks in advance for any help.I have also posted this under Body and Soul

[BillyNoMates]

I sympathise with your Son's situation. It may be worth checking out the medical section of the DVLA website and/or talking to their Medical section who are extremely helpful. They are not their to go out of their way to deliberately prevent anyone obtaining a licence.

At the end of the day, it is their interest, your son's and other road users that the full facts are provided such that an informed decision can be made on his condition.

[Loosehead]

Billynomates is correct, however I wouldn't trust some penpusher to make a decision, especially when it also will affect career progression. If as you say he's been treated then he should consider not puting on the form.

[spaced]

agreed, but honesty is the best policy, and if you do not place it on the form it may come back to haunt you, if DVLA find out.

Call DVLA, do not give any names, and find out what they say. These health details are asked in the event that an accident goes to court and they need to aquire licence details. Being treated for an ilness may make a difference, positively or negatively, in a case.

[BillyNoMates]

Just to clarify, it's not a single penpusher that makes a decision. There is a panel of highly experienced doctors on a panel at the DVLA who look at each case.

[stanleyman]

It really depends on whether he considers this as a psychiatric illness or not, it may not be.

[whqttt]

I'm not trying to avoid giving you the answer you want to hear, but what your son should do is speak to his doctor.

The doctor will say "yes, you are fine to drive" or not. The problem is, however, if he says "no, you are not okay to drive" he's legally obliged to report this to the DVLA.

Having said that, if your son is unsafe to drive (and this is what the question really is) then he shouldn't do so, and doing so would invalidate his insurance anyhow.

I doubt an act caused by depression from 2 years ago would lose him his right to drive, though.

Good luck to your son.

[jjaammeess]

excellent and very helpful answers. Thank you

[tigga]

I agree with stanleyman and whqttt - 1, i doubt that depression can be classed as a phsychiatric illness 2, if you are still concerned, he can simply ask his doctor if he sees any reason not to drive.

Good luck

[smudge]

Hi jj - Thought your other thread on this subject might be helpfull to others too: Here

[smudge]

*helpful