DVLA licence revocation

[Al D]

Hi all,

I have had a look through the posts and can't find any but if I am repeating a previous then I apologise.

In mid November I had a bad night and took some wrong decisions whilst pissed. I did not drive and these decisions were of a personal relationship nature and were very restricted to life and home events. My behaviour that night made me decide that alcohol was fuxking up my life and I wanted out. I sought help the next day and indeed enrolled into a recovery group and within a week had decided that I wanted no further part of alcohol in my life and have not drunk since 26th November.

As part of my occupational health procedure i have had to self refer to dvla and this is the reason for my post. I referred after I had stopped drinking and attained sobriety. I have had two doctors in December rule that they are both happy for me to return to work and full driving duties but the dvla in january have revoked all driving privileges and removed my licence.

I am still trying to get a medical appeal to overturn the decision as I am about to loose my job through having no licence. I have a lawyer ready to go to the courts to have them review it.

I recognised a problem that I was having in my own personal life and stopped anything to do with alcohol. I have never had any complaints at work and certainly never had any driving issues at all, is it fair and just that I am being penalised to this extent??

Does anyone have any knowledge of similar cases or cases that have gone to court appeal?

Many thanks

[Openlaw15]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

Hi all,

I have had a look through the posts and can't find any but if I am repeating a previous then I apologise.

In mid November I had a bad night and took some wrong decisions whilst pissed. I did not drive and these decisions were of a personal relationship nature and were very restricted to life and home events. My behaviour that night made me decide that alcohol was fuxking up my life and I wanted out. I sought help the next day and indeed enrolled into a recovery group and within a week had decided that I wanted no further part of alcohol in my life and have not drunk since 26th November.

As part of my occupational health procedure i have had to self refer to dvla and this is the reason for my post. I referred after I had stopped drinking and attained sobriety. I have had two doctors in December rule that they are both happy for me to return to work and full driving duties but the dvla in january have revoked all driving privileges and removed my licence.

I am still trying to get a medical appeal to overturn the decision as I am about to loose my job through having no licence. I have a lawyer ready to go to the courts to have them review it.

I recognised a problem that I was having in my own personal life and stopped anything to do with alcohol. I have never had any complaints at work and certainly never had any driving issues at all, is it fair and just that I am being penalised to this extent??

Does anyone have any knowledge of similar cases or cases that have gone to court appeal?

Many thanks

"dvla in january have revoked all driving privileges and removed my licence"

What reasons have DVLA given you for revoking your licence? Do you have a diagnosed medical condition ie depression/ other? You imply you were suicidal and have history of drinking alcohol. Were you at any time an alcoholic or are you recovering alcoholic now? What is your job type and what professional licences do you hold? How old are you? Do you have any types of disability?

[Al D]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

Hey, no at no time suicidal, it was to do with very stupidly making the decision to text someone and my partner found out, but without alcohol and its influence I would probably not have done it. It highlighted that on my days off I was using too much alcohol and this needed to change. Yes I have used alcohol for a number of years but really who hasn't?? I have no medical conditions and am on no medication. I am ambulance service as as such I have close contact daily with colleagues and police officers and I'm pretty sure that they would have noticed if i was drunk at work??!!!! (Which I haven't ever been btw)

I have never sought any help or in fact felt I needed it for alcohol problems. The dvla have ruled that I have persistent alcohol misuse and therefore imposed their judgement.

I am 41 and as I put I have the opinion of two separate doctors that I am fit and able to return to full duties and show extremely low risk of taking up alcohol again.

[Openlaw15]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

Hey, no at no time suicidal, it was to do with very stupidly making the decision to text someone and my partner found out, but without alcohol and its influence I would probably not have done it. It highlighted that on my days off I was using too much alcohol and this needed to change. Yes I have used alcohol for a number of years but really who hasn't?? I have no medical conditions and am on no medication. I am ambulance service as as such I have close contact daily with colleagues and police officers and I'm pretty sure that they would have noticed if i was drunk at work??!!!! (Which I haven't ever been btw)

I have never sought any help or in fact felt I needed it for alcohol problems. The dvla have ruled that I have persistent alcohol misuse and therefore imposed their judgement.

I am 41 and as I put I have the opinion of two separate doctors that I am fit and able to return to full duties and show extremely low risk of taking up alcohol again.

Was what you said in your text relevant to the problems you have with DVLA? Thanks for clearing that up that you're not a suicide risk. Ok, what evidence do they have that you have 'persistent alcohol misuse.' Are you a paramedic when you say ambulance driver, or just transport people to hospital etc? Do you come under PCV driver rules or not? What type of licence do you hold? When you say 'used alcohol' for 'a number of years': what type, how often, how is your current medical condition? Why do the doctors say you are low risk, as you admitted here, you have long history of alcohol use. I am playing devil's advocate here - not trying to attack you.

[Al D]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

Oh I get that! No again no relevance to this problem. I am a technician so yes frontline a+e so class 2 blue light trained.

The only evidence I can see they are basing the decision in is part 1a of d1 form where I have had to answer yes. The definition of misuse includes one section of disturbance of behaviour which applies to the incident that prompted me to get some help from employers and gp.

My understanding is that penalties are imposed for persistant alcohol misuse. The definition of persistant in the Oxford English Dictionary certainly is far from the mark as I have identified and changed behaviour quickly, engaging with any assistance offered and very willingly.

My current medical state is one of boredom and a massive wish to return to work and stop having to use buses!!! 🙂 I have no current medical conditions and indeed have never had any relevant ones in the past. No admissions to hospital due to alcohol and no arrests.

I think my GP has taken the view that the dvla are looking for risk of using alcohol. I have been completely without alcohol.

I understand that the decision to revoke is perceived risk to the public??? I can't see any!

[Openlaw15]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

Oh I get that! No again no relevance to this problem. I am a technician so yes frontline a+e so class 2 blue light trained.

The only evidence I can see they are basing the decision in is part 1a of d1 form where I have had to answer yes. The definition of misuse includes one section of disturbance of behaviour which applies to the incident that prompted me to get some help from employers and gp.

My understanding is that penalties are imposed for persistant alcohol misuse. The definition of persistant in the Oxford English Dictionary certainly is far from the mark as I have identified and changed behaviour quickly, engaging with any assistance offered and very willingly.

My current medical state is one of boredom and a massive wish to return to work and stop having to use buses!!!  I have no current medical conditions and indeed have never had any relevant ones in the past. No admissions to hospital due to alcohol and no arrests.

I think my GP has taken the view that the dvla are looking for risk of using alcohol. I have been completely without alcohol.

I understand that the decision to revoke is perceived risk to the public??? I can't see any!

You did not answer my question about your alcohol use. I am trying to help you. Why did you have to self refer.

"I sought help the next day and indeed enrolled into a recovery group and within a week had decided that I wanted no further part of alcohol in my life and have not drunk since 26th November."

3/ 4 months sober to current time is hardly any time at all.

"As part of my occupational health procedure i have had to self refer to dvla and this is the reason for my post. I referred after I had stopped drinking and attained sobriety."


Who said you had to go to occupational health, why did you self refer? What recovery group is this, recovery from what alcohol dependence?

[Openlaw15]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

Oh I get that! No again no relevance to this problem. I am a technician so yes frontline a+e so class 2 blue light trained.

The only evidence I can see they are basing the decision in is part 1a of d1 form where I have had to answer yes. The definition of misuse includes one section of disturbance of behaviour which applies to the incident that prompted me to get some help from employers and gp.

My understanding is that penalties are imposed for persistant alcohol misuse. The definition of persistant in the Oxford English Dictionary certainly is far from the mark as I have identified and changed behaviour quickly, engaging with any assistance offered and very willingly.

My current medical state is one of boredom and a massive wish to return to work and stop having to use buses!!!  I have no current medical conditions and indeed have never had any relevant ones in the past. No admissions to hospital due to alcohol and no arrests.

I think my GP has taken the view that the dvla are looking for risk of using alcohol. I have been completely without alcohol.

I understand that the decision to revoke is perceived risk to the public??? I can't see any!

Let me consider an alternative perspective. Let's assume I am your potential employer, why would I employ you again if I know that DVLA have revoked your heavy goods licence owing to allegations of long-term alcohol mis-use? What assurance would I have that when you have family problems that you won't resort back to alcohol? If your body has been exposed to alcohol for years I would say you're not likely to be alert as you would be to someone who does not have long-term alcohol problems. Your reaction times for example may not be perfect, what about your judgement driving in real-time situations? You're required to have advanced driving skills whilst transporting patients who could be in a critical condition. Are you or were you ever an alcoholic and being treated for alcoholism at some point, is what am trying to get at?

[Al D]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

Ok. I had to self refer as part of my obligations to my work occupational health who wished a dvla review.

The group I joined voluntarily was a general substance abuse help group. I actually gained nothing from it as I was surrounded by long term alcohol and drug abusers and it was felt they could not offer me any help as I had stopped drinking.

My use of alcohol was restricted to my own time in my own home and always mindful of having to drive and the time required to allow alcohol to leave my system. Yes I admit that I was drinking to excess at times during off periods of 3-4 days away from work and this was what I wanted and needed to change.

I'm sorry I obviously didn't understand what you wanted to know and thankyou for your help.

[Openlaw15]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

Ok. I had to self refer as part of my obligations to my work occupational health who wished a dvla review.

The group I joined voluntarily was a general substance abuse help group. I actually gained nothing from it as I was surrounded by long term alcohol and drug abusers and it was felt they could not offer me any help as I had stopped drinking.

My use of alcohol was restricted to my own time in my own home and always mindful of having to drive and the time required to allow alcohol to leave my system. Yes I admit that I was drinking to excess at times during off periods of 3-4 days away from work and this was what I wanted and needed to change.

I'm sorry I obviously didn't understand what you wanted to know and thankyou for your help.

I didn't and don't mean to be harsh. Why were you referred by the occupational health officer for DVLA review? What evidence did they have to justify it? Did you smell of alcohol, did others report your drinking habits, were there any confrontations? You have not yet been dismissed from your employment, am i correct? If you can sort out your personal life, you will not likely need alcohol. Alcohol in short is your Achilles heal and you will likely resort to this rather than deal with problems.

[Al D]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

I know, if I did, then I didn't mean to infer that.

No I have had not even a single incident at work of any shape form or fashion. My work has always been a fact of massive pride to me and I would never have put myself or a colleague in that situation. I have never even, which I would expect for the consideration that I have always given it, had anybody suggest the slightest whiff of alcohol and 12 hours in a cab with someone gives a lot of opportunity should it have ever been the case.

No I have not been dismissed but am having to apply for a non clinical role in the call centre just so I can stay working for the service.

I agree it has been my Achilles heel and my personal life is now very much resolved and I have support networks in place to be able to deal with stresses and strains. Believe me with the stress I've had and the sheer fact of having my licence taken away then if I was guna pick the bottle up again I would have! 😆

Sorry with regards to the referral. Because of the driving then they felt it appropriate to be reviewed by dvla.

[Openlaw15]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

I know, if I did, then I didn't mean to infer that.

No I have had not even a single incident at work of any shape form or fashion. My work has always been a fact of massive pride to me and I would never have put myself or a colleague in that situation. I have never even, which I would expect for the consideration that I have always given it, had anybody suggest the slightest whiff of alcohol and 12 hours in a cab with someone gives a lot of opportunity should it have ever been the case.

No I have not been dismissed but am having to apply for a non clinical role in the call centre just so I can stay working for the service.

I agree it has been my Achilles heel and my personal life is now very much resolved and I have support networks in place to be able to deal with stresses and strains. Believe me with the stress I've had and the sheer fact of having my licence taken away then if I was guna pick the bottle up again I would have! 

Sorry with regards to the referral. Because of the driving then they felt it appropriate to be reviewed by dvla.

Ok thanks for that. Well, why not take the pressure of yourself by staying off driving for a bit until you feel totally confident that you can stay away from the drink. Then appeal to have your car licence back and afterwards appeal for your LGV licence afterwards? How could this affect your normal driving licence though, do you think you could drive your car without problems? When was your last driving shift?

[Al D]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

Thank you for your suggestion. For many years I have been doing my job without incidence or issue. What I really need to be doing I feel is that job that I love so passionately. I will have to start back at the beginning of my carrer again. I will have to take all of the c1 class, approx £1000.

I am being penalised for seeking help in what was an issue in my own time that has never impacted on my ability to drive within ALL areas of the law and licensing obligations. I have never driven whilst drunk in any way.

[wales01man]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

May I ask if you are in a union if so why are they not helping and is the whole story being repeated on here seems harsh to stop you driving in the circumstances you have put on here

[Al D]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

It's not a union issue. I am in contact with them. Well this is the story and that's is why I have no problem going to court to try and make someone see some sense!!

[wales01man]

Re: DVLA licence revocation

I thought the union helped in job related issues after all this is affecting your work trying to make someone see sense is a good idea get as much help as you can with this