diabetes restrictions (1 Viewer)

Nov 25, 2014
30
18
Waterlooville
Funster No
34,343
MH
Carthago Chic I51
Exp
Since 2015.
I appear to have opened up the proverbial hornets nest with this topic and may I thank all those who have responded, my knowledge has been vastly increased and both my wife and I are indebted to you all for your interest.

With 50/50 hindsight, had I known the bureaucratic minefield that I was entering, my choice of a motorhome over the 3.5 limit may have been a mistake? However, having been on this trail for some ten weeks I feel disinclined to give up, beaten by DVLA (Investors in Paper).

Can anyone tell me what paperwork will be required in the future, on the basis that I am successful and at what time scale should I consider starting the application routine once more?
 

Judge Mental

Funster
Deceased RIP
Sep 2, 2009
6,650
5,883
Sarth London
Funster No
8,272
MH
Possl 636 FR panel van
Exp
1994 and beyond...
yearly medical if over 3500

I've just learnt the DVLA in there wisdom have given all the contracts for 3 yearly eye tests to specsavers! who in my opinion are useless.....I'm under Moofields for my eyes and so far so good, but eyesight was poor years ago. I have a patient and friendly optician thatI use..Now, I dont know what to expect next time which is Jan 2016 :(

Hymer and Carthago have some new lightweight A class vans that just about practical @3500. As for the bike rack thats pretty unlikely unless you tow it..it really is easier to stay within 3500

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum...ractical-at-3500kg.100578/page-4#post-1282505
 
Last edited:

sedge

Funster
Jul 7, 2009
5,493
13,029
Nr Jct 3 M6
Funster No
7,396
MH
C class
Exp
Aug 09 to date 9,000 miles!
Well with insulin and also the other hypoglycemic agents, you must test as they say and correct hypos and wait 45 minutes blah blah - and with insulin you must also use a meter with a 3-month memory to do your testing. Most decent meters have this anyway, and if you never have an accident of course 'they' will never know.

But lets put it like this - if I know you - then I might care if you have an accident and maim/kill yourself. In which case I truly hope you all stick to the rules however daft they may be or seem to be. I'd like to sleep easy on that.

However if you don't follow all the rules and you suffer the consequences well hard shit - I won't care. But if you take anyone else with you on that occasion you'll excuse me if I personally hunt you down and kick your head in, won't you?

Be aware also that different countries even within Europe all have different rules and laws about diabetics driving and it's up to each one of you to make sure you comply with THEIR laws when you are driving there.

As they say here - Ignorance of the Law is no defence.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Nov 25, 2014
30
18
Waterlooville
Funster No
34,343
MH
Carthago Chic I51
Exp
Since 2015.
And the waiting goes on!

On 10th April 2015 I attended my third medical appointment, this time with a DVLA Appointed Diabetes Specialist, a professor no less!

Happily looking forward to an early result, I waited for seven days before contacting DVLA for an update. Sadly, got the news that there was a variance between between the answers given by the DVLA appointed Doctor for the second medical and that given by the DVLA appointed Diabetes Specialist for the third medical?

I was informed that a letter would be sent that day to the Doctor and to make enquiries with hime in three or four days. Sad to say that letter has never been received! However, I then persuaded DVLA to send the relevant request via fax.

It gets worse. DVLA sent a fax consisting of the covering sheet only and did not include the necessary questions! Happily, the Doctors Practise Manager realised the mistake and contacted DVLA to resend the Fax. Upon receipt of the fax the Doctor made his response and returned the fax the same day.

On Monday this week I contacted DVLA for an update only to be informed that they had a backlog of cases dating back to 25th March and that a response may be delayed because my application would have to be vetted again by the DVLA Medical Team. Added to that, any response by mail could take up to three weeks to be delivered. I suggested that the process was overly slow and tiresome, bearing in mind that I had first applied for the relevant paperwork on 1 December 2014. This would imply that the process could take well over six months to complete! A mumbled apology was all I received.

Sorry folks, that is my rant for the month. I'll say it again, had I known the minefield I was entering, I would have stuck with a motorhome within the weight allowance of my existing licence so all my fault for wanting a bigger vehicle. But hey, faint heart and fair maiden etc.

Patiently waiting!!!
 

sedge

Funster
Jul 7, 2009
5,493
13,029
Nr Jct 3 M6
Funster No
7,396
MH
C class
Exp
Aug 09 to date 9,000 miles!
Well clearly one of em said summat that they didn't like the look of, frustrating you don't know what though. Anything that has to go to the medical team - as opposed to us giving the answers that the clerks can just go 'Tick' on - tends to take ages because they always DO have a flipping backlog.

Curiously, though mine took em 8 months when I applied for renewal 3 years ago (only up to 3.5 tonne) - it took less than a fortnight this time!

Hopefully - it will be sorted soon for you.
 
Nov 25, 2014
30
18
Waterlooville
Funster No
34,343
MH
Carthago Chic I51
Exp
Since 2015.
Contacted DVLA again today and got more bad news.

The Medical Branch have now decided that they have questions regarding my TIA/Stroke which took place over three years ago. It was as a result of that TIA/Stroke that I became Insulin dependent and lost my C1/D1 Licences.

DVLA informed me that they would again be writing to my doctor for further clarifications. That decision was taken yesterday and I asked if the letter could be sent by FAX. I have delivered a letter to my doctor, informing him to expect the FAX and asking him to act with some promptness. Sad to say, with a Bank Holiday next Monday, I do not expect that FAX to be sent anytime soon.

The waiting goes on!
 

sedge

Funster
Jul 7, 2009
5,493
13,029
Nr Jct 3 M6
Funster No
7,396
MH
C class
Exp
Aug 09 to date 9,000 miles!
They do drive you a bit bonkers - having jumped through all their hoops the last time (which included going to our local driving test centre to have THEM check officially I could read a numberplate at however far it is, and also having to go to my optician - cos I wear glasses all the while anyway - for him to check my visual acuity WITHOUT glasses) then after a further wait of blooming ages they then sent me another letter to ask why hadn't I answered Question 43c) on Page 53 ?

God knows was the answer to that - but this was 6 months after I sent the form to them that they even bothered to mention it!

Seems they can only do ONE thing at a time - even if there are 100 things they will need to query.
 
Nov 25, 2014
30
18
Waterlooville
Funster No
34,343
MH
Carthago Chic I51
Exp
Since 2015.
Finally, the waiting is now over. DVLA have granted my licence which will be issued next Tuesday - its in the post. For us really good news and now we can start making plans. Our motorhome should be ready for collection on 4 June and we can't wait.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Puddleduck

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 15, 2014
12,357
43,866
Scottish Borders
Funster No
29,703
MH
Without at present
Exp
On and off for many years.
Easiest treatment for type 2 is lose a large amount of of weight and get BMI to 25. it will normally have gone then and no metformin, no bad circulation, no blindness,no peripheral circulation failure, no amputation of lower limbs. Simple really I have seen too many patients lose their feet and lower legs especially if they were smokers as well.

My Dad is type 2. He is not overweight (actually a little underweight) and has taken metformin for years. His diabetes is now becoming worse and we dread him having to inject insulin as we are not sure how he will cope with that. :(
 

sedge

Funster
Jul 7, 2009
5,493
13,029
Nr Jct 3 M6
Funster No
7,396
MH
C class
Exp
Aug 09 to date 9,000 miles!
They are tiny needles Puddleduck - 4mm is the shortest, 5 or 6mm is the 'norm'. They are nowhere near as thick as any injection syringe you've been stabbed by previously - and if you can ever feel them going in, you're doing it wrong.

As a T2 and elderly he'll probably be started on a fixed dose (or doses) of an intermediate mixed insulin, which are OK as long as you eat at the same-ish times every day - or he may have just once a day long-acting insulin instead depending whats best for him and his demeanour/situation.

There's no need to have to go into the intricacies of 4 or 5 a day - which is a far better routine for controlling Type 1 with a less than regimented lifestyle - unless HE wants to. In which case - the possibilities are endless.

If his beta cells have reached the end of their productive life - he will have no other option the same as a T1 at any age - he'll have to do it or drop dead !

Consequently, I assure you, he will do it.
 

Puddleduck

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 15, 2014
12,357
43,866
Scottish Borders
Funster No
29,703
MH
Without at present
Exp
On and off for many years.
I don't think he will @sedge - Dad won't even change his own catheter bag....... Mum will probably end up doing it for him and he will make a fuss.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Judge Mental

Funster
Deceased RIP
Sep 2, 2009
6,650
5,883
Sarth London
Funster No
8,272
MH
Possl 636 FR panel van
Exp
1994 and beyond...
Not sure how I would get on if they looked at meter history as I do get low readings late afternoon sometime. But I'm aware of this and always have snacks at hand and eat more when driving...

Will now not order new van till after Jan when 3 yearly licence needs renewing: (
 
Feb 22, 2008
12,258
44,933
Norfolk
Funster No
1,575
MH
Nearly Tugging
Exp
Since 2004
I don't have diabetes , but had glaucoma in one eye and a subsequent operation. Following that the consultant professor that carried out the op cleared me for driving with no restriction.
Last August I applied to renew my C1+E at 70 and following a 9 month debacle between DVLA and Specsavers and three field vision tests , the C1+E was removed .
As a result our pride and joy has to go and I am down to 3500kgs.

Beware Specsavers field vision tests, if you need one for your licence be sure a qualified optician carries out the test , not a partly trained operator, question the number of missed lights and the percentage of false positives.

Many individuals, following laser eye treatment have failed these field tests , and lost their licence to drive , since its recent introduction as a result of EU legislation in spite of the fact that consultants previously gave them the all clear to drive.
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top