Driving Licence refused because of my pacemaker

Hi everyone!!

I need some help here.
Has anyone here from England that has been refused to have a driving licence??!!
I've just got a letter from DVLA saying that my application for a driving licence was refused because according to them:
"It is clear from information received taht you have been experiencing symptomatic abnormal heart rhythm and the liability to further attacks is not satisfactorily controlled. This indicates your inability currently to meet the recommended medical standards of fitness to drive."

That must be a joke!!! I'm really really really upset.
I live with my pacemaker for 15 years, I practice martial arts, I'm very active person, I used to drive in my home country (Brazil), never had a problem while driving. Actually never had a problem at all in these 15 years!!!!!
I'm so upset!! Feel really crap. Feel descriminated at some point!
I wasn't even invited for a health check up. The only think they give to me was a form asking if I have a pacemaker and if I still have any problem. I said that never had a problem since then.
They also asked details from my GP.

I just cant believe that they took this decision!!!! I'm 35 years old, don't drink, don't smoke, healthy, active!!!!!!! I even had permission from a doctor for parachuting!! And now I can't drive???!!!!! That's not real!!!! I can't believe!!

Sorry, but I'm really upset. Never experienced anything like that regards to my pacemaker!!

13 Comments

Driving

by Jakle - 2012-11-30 02:11:22

I had no problem when my pm was fitted earlier this year. Suggest you take the Dvla letter to your doctor and ask him to write to them to put the picture right.

Good luck!

Thank you

by narley - 2012-11-30 03:11:47

Thank you for the tip Jakle.
I'll try that approach.

Should not be a problem

by golden_snitch - 2012-11-30 03:11:51

Hi!

I'm not in England, but in Germany, and there is no problem here with driving when you have a pacemaker. For ICD patients it's different, at least in the first six months or so, but with a pacemaker it's no problem.

I'd suggest that you give the Arrhythmia Alliance a call as they are UK/England based and have lots of experience with arrhythmia patients and their struggles. I'm sure they can tell you what to do. Website is:
http://www.heartrhythmcharity.org.uk/www/index.php
On the right side you'll find their 24 hours Helpline number.

Best wishes
Inga

Hi Narley......

by Tattoo Man - 2012-11-30 04:11:46

...dont forget that the UK is the land of, generally, common sense and free information. Try the British Heart Foundation for top advice:

Heart Helpline 0300 330 3311

Website bhf.org.uk

You will be helped by Intelligent Life Forms !!

Tattoo Man...lurking around the East Midlands..a bit Parky tonight !!

actually forgot

by jessie - 2012-11-30 09:11:29

when i renewed my licence i actually forgot to say i had a pacemaker. i have no problems healthwise that are significant to-day. i dont smoke drink take drugs that affect my mind and so am not too worried that i am a high risk person for driving. what i will do now is wait for the next renewal in 3 years. we dont have to actually take a test here in canda till 80 so what can i say.

£1000 fee.

by narley - 2012-12-01 02:12:29

Here in UK you get a fee around £1000 if you don't tell DVLA that you have a pacemaker.

Driving licence

by Blue - 2012-12-01 05:12:48

I was interested in your posting. As I still have my British Licence I will certainly be getting a letter from my specialist before I renew my UK licence when I go over at the end of next year. Like Jessie I never gave my pm a thought when I last renewed my licence.

Hope you can get it all sorted.

Cheers Billie

Thank you....

by narley - 2012-12-02 04:12:32

Thank you everyone for your comments.
Couldn't think on anything else this weekend apart from how to get this sorted.

The way they wrote on the letter seems that either my pacemake is not working properly or I'm not fitted with one:

""It is clear from information received taht you have been experiencing symptomatic abnormal heart rhythm and the liability to further attacks is not satisfactorily controlled...."

Pacemaker the heart's pace. Simple! And the reason why I have a pacemaker is because my heart is not working properley. If I didn't have any heart problem, obviously I wouldn't need a pacemaker.

Now I'll have to fight for my rights just because they are incopetent in the way in which they base their decision.

Again, thank you all for your comments and support.

Regards,

Narley

here

by ambers - 2012-12-02 07:12:22

In the states we can lose our license if we have lost consciousness. This can be for any reason. If your doctor informs the DMV, they will yank your driving privleges.

i never did

by jessie - 2012-12-02 09:12:15

lose consciousness. i have felt faint but aware of my surroundings. this all happened in 2006 and received a p.m. and have been good ever since. jessie

In UK had no problem

by Hot Heart - 2012-12-03 05:12:48

When I informed the DVLA they just said I had to wait 6 weeks after pm insertion before I could drive again. Interestingly my brother had a heart attack in the summer and had a stent fitted; informed DVLA and his insurance company and both said they didnt need the info!!!!

bloody hell

by jessie - 2012-12-04 12:12:02

i was drivng the day after i had the implant.

Appeal the decision of the DVLA

by RobertS - 2012-12-15 03:12:37

Hi Narley,
What a damn nuisance for you.

I had no idea it was illegal in UK to drive with a pacemeaker without telling the DVLA until I read the bookled from The Heart Foundation I was given when I had mine put in. I am just filling in the form for the DVLA now- I had my PM on Monday last.

I think what happens depends on what you say when you fill in the form as to the reasons why you have a pacemeaker. I never had fainting or loss of consciousness problems. But you can appeal an you should. Here is an extract from the DVLA website:

Part 3: What the DVLA will decide

Once DVLA has assessed your medical condition or disability you may:get to keep your old licence or get a new one or be issued with a shorter period licence - for 1, 2 or 3 years, after which time your condition will need to be reviewed. You may need to adapt your car by fitting special controls
you may be told to stop driving and your licence taken away

If your licence is taken away you’ll be given a medical reason why, and be told when you can re-apply for your licence. You’ll also be sent a notice that explains your right to appeal against the decision.

The website for full info is at:

https://www.gov.uk/driving-if-disabled/what-the-dvla-will-decide

Hope this is some help and I'm sure we'd all be interested to see what happens.

I have to get a new licence next year anyway all UK driving licences expire when the holder is 70 and that's next June for me.

best of luck

Robert

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.