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You have a responsibility to notify the DVLA if you have any disability affecting your fitness as a driver and if you expect it to last more than three months. This is a legal requirement and is necessary for insurance cover; it is not optional. People who already have a driving licence will not usuallybe required to take another test, but an assessment may be required to determine the adaptations that are most suitable for you.
How do I inform the DVLA?
You should write to the DVLA telling them briefly what has happened to you. Your Occupational Therapist (OT) can help you write this if necessary. A copy of a sample letter is available from your OT. You need to include your driving licence number but you do not need to send your licence at this stage.
Address the letter to:
The Medical Advisor,
Drivers Medical Branch,
Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency,
Swansea.
SA99 ITU
What happens next?
- The DVLA will send you several forms asking you to give details of your medical status. They will ask you to give permission to contact your G.P or consultant at the spinal unit.
- The DVLA may then contact your Consultant asking for further information about your spinal injury. All this information is considered by a medical advisor who will make a recommendation about your licence.
- It is likely that they will send back a letter requesting information about what adaptations you require. It is advisable to contact them directly to inform them if you require further assessment.
Complete paraplegics will require hand controls.
It is possible to have a driving lesson to try out basic hand controls or you may go to a mobility centre to try different types to see what suits you. This is only a recommendation and not a legal requirement.
Complete tetraplegics or those with an incomplete spinal cord injury are more likely to need a specialist assessment at a mobility centre such as Queen Elizabeth Foundation or MAVIS. A mobility centre can determine your abilities and recommend adaptations for you. After this assessment you can inform the DVLA of your requirements.
- When you are aware of the adaptations you require, you will need to send back the completed form (including a copy of the mobility assessment, if appropriate). The DVLA will amend your licence accordingly.
** It is recommended that you discuss all of the above stages with your Occupational Therapist and photocopy all correspondence.
General information: (ask your O.T for further information)
MAVIS - The Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service is a government scheme to help disabled motorists make informed choices through practical advice on driving ability and vehicle adaptations. The centre is located in Crowthorne, Berkshire. There is a charge for assessments and there is often a waiting list.
The Queen Elizabeth Foundation - Is a mobility centre providing outdoor mobility information, demonstration, assessment and training for disabled people. The centre is located at Carshalton, Surrey. Again, there will be a charge for the assessment and there may be a waiting llist.
Driving lesson with hand controls - BSM have an instructor that will come from Bournemouth to provide a lesson with basic hand controls. This is a two-hour session that you will need to pay for.
Motability - This is a charity that helps people with disabilities to get around. It does this by helping you use the mobility component of the disability living allowance to lease or buy a car or powered wheelchair / scooter. You have to be in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of the DLA for more than three years to apply.
Blue badge - You are likely to be eligible for a blue badge, particularly if you are in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance. A blue badge application form can be obtained from your local social services department.
Tax exemption - If you receive the higher rate mobility component of the DLA you may also be exempt from paying vehicle excise duty. You should apply to your nearest vehicle registration office for exemption.
Insurance - As with any insurance it is worth shopping around. Everyone needs to give full details of their disability and all alterations to the vehicle. There are insurance companies who specialise in insurance for disabled drivers - contact SIA for further details. Insurance is included on the contract hire scheme of Motability.
Breakdown and recovery service - A number of organisations offer breakdown and recovery service specifically developed for people with disabilities. Autohome Ltd, the AA, Greenflag and RAC are examples.
Petrol - You can purchase a service call system to make it easier to use petrol stations. Wherever you see the service call sign you can aim the infra red transmitter to activate the service call receiver. The receiver then bleeps alerting staff that you require service. They will come out to serve you. You can obtain further information from your O.T.
Car adaptations - MAVIS and Queen Elizabeth Foundation have up to date information on adaptations and approved garages that will carry out the work.
Radar key - A radar key will enable you to access all public disabled toilets. You can purchase one from the O.T department (£3.00) or they are also available from the tourist information office in Salisbury (and other tourist information offices in your local town).
Contact telephone numbers / addresses:
| BSM: | Tel: 0345 276 276 | |
| MAVIS: | Macadam Avenue, Old Wokingham Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6XD |
Tel: 01344 661000 |
| Queen Elizabeth Foundation: | Damson Way, Orchard Hill, Queen Mary's Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey. SM5 4NR |
Tel: 0208 7701151 |
| Motability: | Goodman House, Station Approach, Harlow, Essex. CM20 2ET |
Tel: 01279 635666 |
| Disabled Drivers association: | National Headquarters, Ashwellthorpe, Norwich NR16 1EX |
Tel: 01508 489449 |
* A range of driving resource files and videos are also available from the O.T department. There is a lot of information to suit each individuals needs. If in doubt ask your O.T!
