"My sleep apnoea just requires me to pop a mask on before I go to bed. But your circumstances may be different."
Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient
Reporting to DVLA
I have just seen the page about this: https://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/dvla-rules-for-driving-with-sleep-apno...
It says that those who do not have daytime sleepiness (like me) do not have to notify DVLA, but there is an exception to this. I recently turned 70 and had to renew my licence, and shall have to do so every three years from now on. I was contacted three months in advance but they said an online application would take only 10 days so I left it until less than a month before my birthday. I had to declare all my medical conditions and they did require me to provide a doctor's report to certify that I didn't have daytime sleepiness. It delayed the issue of my new licence and I didn't get the new one until a couple of weeks after the old one expired (they did allow me to continue driving).
This is just a reminder that if you are renewing your driving licence on grounds of age, you will have to make a medical declaration, and if you mention OSA they will require a medical report. They should remind you three months ahead and it's a good idea to do it early, to give time to provide the necessary information.
Views: 45
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on
-
Thanks for bringing this up Antony as it's going to cause confusion like it did with you. The most important word when completing the form is 'Syndrome,' ie Sleep Apnoea 'Syndrome.' The DVLA call it Sleep Apnoea 'Syndrome' = syndrome meaning with excessive daytime sleepiness. If you omit the word 'syndrome' and you have just Sleep Apnoea (with no excessive daytime sleepiness) then you wouldn't need to tick that box.
It's similar to the one at the top about Diabetes where they state "no need to notify us if you have diabetes controlled by tablets or other injections......................................" It's a pity DVLA don't explain it for sleep apnoea, but I guess they think they have by putting 'syndrome' meaning with symptoms of excessive sleepiness.
This is why on the page on our website you've quoted we've copied word-for-word from the DVLA's website what they say about whether Sleep Apnoea 'Syndrome' needs reporting or not https://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/dvla-rules-for-driving-with-sleep-apno... - see screenshot below:-
Here's a sentence the sleep consultant who does our own sleep studies at the charity puts on the patient reports when diagnosing someone with obstructive sleep apnoea without excessive daytime sleepiness, according to their Epworth Sleepiness Score:-
Hope this lengthy reply helps with yet more confusion with the DVLA, explaining how they only want drivers to report to them if they have Sleep Apnoea 'Syndrome.'
-
Permalink Reply by Antony Warren on
-
Thanks Kath, I'll hope that they don't pick up on it if I don't tick that box in three years time! I'll apply in good time just in case.
-
-
DVLA just create problems by not being clear about things. At least you won't need to tick the box next time as it says 'a condition you haven't reported before.' Glad this came up though as we get lots of DVLA queries at the charity.
Antony Warren said:Thanks Kath, I'll hope that they don't pick up on it if I don't tick that box in three years time! I'll apply in good time just in case.
About
Sleep Apnoea Forum
New to the Sleep Apnoea Forum?
1. Stop by our Sleep Apnoea Welcome Center to introduce yourself to the SleepGuide community.
2. Start a New Topic of Conversation.
3. Post your photos - of yourself, your old CPAP machine, your new CPAP machine, your pet, something about you!
Interested in advertising, have a problem or need to contact us? Click the Report an Issue page.
Latest Activity
UK Attendance Allowance
Does anyone know if Obstructive Sleep Apnoea can be the basis for a claim for attendance allowance in the UK?See More
"Yes I empathise, as it was a similar story to mine with Virgin (not chasing them for my official confirmation). Even worse though was they said I couldn't use it and therefore couldn't fly due to my fit-to-fly letter stipulating I need it…"
"Ah, yes, I hadn't spotted Vueling's statement. Thank you. And your tags are very similar to the one I purchased at the start of my CPAP journey in the 15+ years ago.
My only bad experience (as I have written about here) was…"
"The link I provided to Vueling had sub-links Jonathan and this is from one of them about carrying medication onboard, and clearly states you can carry CPAP at no extra charge. I was impressed at the info provided from a flight company I'd not…"
"I have a large swing-tag attached to mine. This appears to be an up-to-date equivalent https://www.cpap.com/productpage/medical-identification-luggage-tag-cpap-equipment
The only short-haul flight I have taken was with British Airways, and it…"
"Glad you found us Antony. I had a sleep endoscopy by Bhik Kotecha many years ago but I told him he was coming nowhere near me with his scalpel lol, as I have too many reasons for my severe sleep apnoea. We have Dr Vik Veer now who runs the UCLH…"
"DVLA just create problems by not being clear about things. At least you won't need to tick the box next time as it says 'a condition you haven't reported before.' Glad this came up though as we get lots of DVLA queries at the…"
"Thanks Kath, I'll hope that they don't pick up on it if I don't tick that box in three years time! I'll apply in good time just in case."
"So pleased to have found this site, thank you. I'm a retired doctor and have had OSA for about 20 years despite having a BMI of 23, only ever sleeping on my side and not smoking. Over that time I have had five successful procedures of…"
"Thanks Kath, I had tried to contact Vueling about this but hadn't found the web page so that's really helpful."
"I had to check out Vueling as it's not a flight company we've been asked about before (perhaps they're newish). If you go to this page on their website you'll see it states you can take the CPAP in its bag and store it under the…"
"Thanks for bringing this up Antony as it's going to cause confusion like it did with you. The most important word when completing the form is 'Syndrome,' ie Sleep Apnoea 'Syndrome.' The DVLA call it Sleep Apnoea…"
© 2024 Created by The SleepGuide Crew.
Powered by
