Devastated just found out (1 Viewer)

[Hils and Glenns]

The dvla have refused to renew Glenn's C1 licence. We've only had our 4 ton van 18 months and have been waiting for the licence since March so we do our first trip abroad. Not sure what we do now.

 

[hilldweller]

Well what choice do you have ? Take on big bad DVLA costing ££££££££ and more important taking loads of time, or move on. Plenty of vans under 3.5T out there.

 

[mitzimad]

what grounds is the refusal on?

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[Puddleduck]

We've had our van since 18th July (after waiting 18 months for her) and my license has been completely revoked. Once it is all sorted I will have to have a medical every year from here on in.

I know it is all for safety reasons and can't quibble at that but some of these things seem so heavy handed.

 

[pappajohn]

Get it weighed loaded to go with bare minimum on-board.
You never know, it could be under 3500kg and could be downplated.

 

[Hils and Glenns]

Thanks for all your replies. To be honest we're just dumb struck at the moment. We only found out because Glenn phoned the dvla so haven't actually got the letter yet. He will have been refused because he has a heart condition. But he has had that for over 30 years and has been an HGV driver in the meantime. The dvla were aware and allowed him to drive. To be honest he is fitter than me. He is definitely more competent than me and I will still be able to drive it as I'm 67. I do drive the van but it would be a challenge for me to drive it abroad and I definitely don't feel confident of parking it on our drive.
I know there are other vans but this is our first and we really like it. We've added a solar panel and gaslow. Feeling very sad as we were looking forward to so much.

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[Kool Kroozer]

Do as papajohn says, you may be surprised by the weight it already is

 

[Puddleduck]

First of all take a deep breath. It isn't the end of the world.

Once the letter comes you can see what it says and appeal if you want to or reapply. Make an appointment with your GP and see what he / she has to say. On my letter there is a wiggle clause for early reapplication and if I had more time before we have to be away (family problem) I would possibly do that after I see my specialist next week (so long as it isn't a locum). As things stand I can reapply second week of Sept for the license to be restored in early Nov. Then there will be the C1 hurdle

The down-rating option might be worth investigating.

 

[DBK]

Get it weighed loaded to go with bare minimum on-board.
You never know, it could be under 3500kg and could be downplated.

I agree, you may get away with this. Throw out the spare wheel as well if necessary but basically take it to a weighbridge empty and see what it weighs. You might be surprised.

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[TerryL]

The letter from DVLA isn't the be-all and end-all. Came back from a trip to find two letters, the first rescinding my PCV and the second my car licence, both on the grounds of defective eyesight. Went to my optician who gave me a full examination then wrote to the DVLA on my behalf. Result was reinstatement almost by return (seems my GP made a mistake when completing the medical form although of course your case isn't quite as straightforward).

As Puddleduck says, get the professionals involved before going any further.

 

[GJH]

I do drive the van but it would be a challenge for me to drive it abroad and I definitely don't feel confident of parking it on our drive.

Hopefully you'll get it sorted so that both of you can drive but don't assume that just because you lack a bit of confidence at the moment that it's permanent. Jill does all the driving in our van because I've never liked driving all that much and she is happy to whilst I navigate.

 

[Hils and Glenns]

Glenn has made an appointment to see the doc and find out why. He must be nearer to death's door than we thought. I will be driving over to the weighbridge tomorrow lol but we aren't hopeful of it coming in under 3500.

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[Carol]

Good luck tomorrow would be good if you could come in under weight, if not hopefully you can get it sorted out. Not nice when these things happen and we are not expecting them.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

If he has had and been driving HGV since the 'Problem' then they have no reason to say that he has become defective if there has been no other recent trouble. I lost my commercial pilots licence 25 years ago but have now got it back and am now flying again, I was defective and no longer am????????????? This business of making a recreational vehicle the same as the using of a HGV ten times the size ridiculous. The sudden change at a nominal date is also likewise one day later and it all changes. This problem with licences is going to get worse as we all come up to the 70th birthday. I have considered getting the medical now and a HGV licence renewal so that the overlap occurs then there should be no problem. A lot of the problems are GPs not filling forms out properly and the ?DVLA getting the bit between their teeth and proclaiming death and destruction. IT got really bad after the Dustbin Driver mowed down the people in Glasgow. The kneejerk happened and everyone became a danger all of a sudden. There are a lot of drivers who ARE complete basket cases but still drive, Bad eyesight, dementia at an early onset, Aortic anurism ready to burst , stroke from high blood pressure that has never been checked, the list goes on.
If your GP REALLY THOUGHT you had a problem then he/she would not have signed the form saying you were fit, unless they really did need the £150 or so, and let the DVLA do the dirty deed of doing the refusal.
Complain and appeal as soon as you can. Did you actually see the form he filled out and keep a copy of it? then go and check it.

 

[bladerunner]

<<<<<<WITHOUT PREJUDICE!!!!


Take on the DVLA
Someone I know very well was one of the medical advisors and has left because she foresaw a major inquiry.
I am reliably informed that they would not be the ones to organise a boozy party in a beer manufacturer and the present MD knows sweet FA about the job (Allegedly ;-) ) >>>>

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[2spritelyislanders]

Sorry to hear your news. If it's any consolation we were in a similar situation this time last year (for different reasons) and I now do all the motorhome driving. We took our first solo trip to France earlier this year and in three weeks we're booked to go again because we had such a good time. I can honestly say that we have never looked back and I am so pleased that we made the decision for me to drive. Give it a go and you may be very pleasantly surprised. Driving in France is an absolute joy and motorhoming there is amazing. Funsters have given us so much support and encouragement and I don't think I would be so confident without them. I hope you find a way to get around your problems and like us continue to enjoy your travels. Best of luck

 

[Puddleduck]

IT got really bad after the Dustbin Driver mowed down the people in Glasgow. The kneejerk happened and everyone became a danger all of a sudden. There are a lot of drivers who ARE complete basket cases but still drive, Bad eyesight, dementia at an early onset, Aortic anurism ready to burst , stroke from high blood pressure that has never been checked, the list goes on.

The problem as I see it is that the Bin Lorry Driver lied. It is people who do not declare medical conditions that are the problem. I've had a discussion about this today with someone who has had at least 17 blackouts in the last month, has not been to see his GP and has driven home after each blackout. He laughed at me for reporting my wee problem to the DVLA, said I was a muppet.

I am aware of what caused my problem, know that the same problem can not occur when I am driving ( I am very unlikely to have a fasting stress test* behind the wheel) so hope I will get my license back.

*had loads of different tests and the only time they could recreate the previous blackout was with fasting stress test. Makes sense as I blacked out before on a long bike ride after taking a HCA's (incorrect) diet advice.

 

[Autowbars]

I do hope all works out well for you.
Some of us don't know how lucky we are.
Xxx

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[Anthea M]

Sorry to hear that news for you. You must be devastated as you were so looking forward to going to France. Try not to worry and do all the practical things Funsters have suggested and if the worst happens can you get a smaller van and still enjoy Motorhoming.
Let us know how you get on !

 

[Hils and Glenns]

Thanks all for your kind support. It makes us feel a bit better. We've decided to appeal. Glenn isn't happy to give up all the driving. So that may mean selling our lovely van. We felt a bit smug believing we had found the perfect van for us. Even if it is our first and quite by chance. Hitting the wine big time tonight.

 

[makems]

My wife does all the driving because my eyesight is defective.
I have never driven any of our motorhomes in the 7 years since we started and we are now the proud owners of a 5tonne 30ft long tag axle.
Gwen has driven about 45000 miles in motorhomes most of it abroad (all over Europe and Morocco).
I did not take very well to being a passenger when I had to give up driving but have now accepted it and adapted.

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

A HGV driver friend of mine in the mid 90s had cancer in one eye and he only had pheriferal vision afterwards in that one eye. They took his HGV licence but not his car licence. His dad knew a lawyer and they decided to appeal. He was given back the HGV licence as his condition would have still been able to get the HGV licence when he first passes his HGV.
If your condition has been known for 30 years, an appeal should not be beyond winning as there does seem to be some evidence that retrospective criteria is not a reason for refusal. Assuming the condition is the same, what reason can there be to refuse?

 

[makems]

Oh, and Gwen is only 2 years younger than yourself @Hils and Glenns

 

[big map]

The same thing happend to my dad a couple of years ago, his knee jerk reaction was to sell his motorhome and bought a smaller one, we were away on holiday when he got the letter. When we got back we appealed, he underwent some more tests and three months later he got his HGV licence reinstated. My advice would be to start the appeal as soon as possible.

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[Puddleduck]

You get 6 months to appeal in England or Wales and it has to be done via your local Magistrates' Court. In Scotland you only have 21 days and appeal through the Sheriffs' Court. The date is from the date of the letter so if you live in Scotland it's very hard to do in time.

 

[Hils and Glenns]

Hi everyone. Again thanks for all your kind words. We will appeal. We don't live in Scotland so have a bit of time. We're very reluctant to have to sell our lovely van.

 

[Langtoftlad]

He is definitely more competent than me and I will still be able to drive it as I'm 67. I do drive the van but it would be a challenge for me to drive it abroad and I definitely don't feel confident of parking it on our drive.

Firstly good luck with the appeal...
but before you consider selling, or downsizing etc etc why not consider investing in some HGV training for yourself - it might give you the confidence you say you lack?
As for parking it on your drive, are there any alterations which could be made to your drive to make parking easier?
What about parking at a storage area?
Yes these options will cost money but maybe not as much as selling your existing van & buying a replacement [which won't make you as happy as the one you have now].
Food for thought

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[PeteH]

Thanks for all your replies. To be honest we're just dumb struck at the moment. We only found out because Glenn phoned the dvla so haven't actually got the letter yet. He will have been refused because he has a heart condition. But he has had that for over 30 years and has been an HGV driver in the meantime. The dvla were aware and allowed him to drive. To be honest he is fitter than me. He is definitely more competent than me and I will still be able to drive it as I'm 67. I do drive the van but it would be a challenge for me to drive it abroad and I definitely don't feel confident of parking it on our drive.
I know there are other vans but this is our first and we really like it. We've added a solar panel and gaslow. Feeling very sad as we were looking forward to so much.

APPEAL. We have (had) known drivers working who had had 2 Heart attacks and surgery!. Make the DVLA jump the hoops. and be prepared to go to the Government Ombudsman if necessary. They are as useless as the rest of the UK bureaucrats anyway!. They all take the "easy" option when it come to the Taxpayer (who pay their inflated salaries).

Pete

 

[Hils and Glenns]

Hi all. Well the letter from the dvla arrived today. The reason the licence has been rescinded is angina. But Glenn doesn't get angina. So now we have to find out where this suggestion comes from. He thought he did well on the treadmill test. He has an appointment to see the doc on 2nd Sept.
The van is in the garage having the aircon regassed. Seems a bit mad now but it was already booked in before we found out about the licence. I will be doing my first solo drive in it tomorrow to pick it up from the garage and will take it to the weighbridge. I'm not hopeful that it will come in under 3500kg The letter from the dvla almost seems to expect that we will appeal saying that Glenn should discuss the situation with the doctor and forward them any new evidence. Still feeling a bit fed up.

 

[Anthea M]

Good luck with the drive and weigh in it does seem very harsh to find the reason . Appeal Asap and fingers crossed here!

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