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Astilius
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07 Mar 2008, 12:06 pm

My GP has referred me for an official diagnosis of AS. This is something that I am not to uspet about (but being labelled as disabled will always bother me) and I have had a few years to come to terms with what AS means to me.
Anyway, I have found out that should I obtain the diagnosis I will have to inform the DVLA who may revoke my driving license. Aside from needing my car to get to work this would make my life very difficult.

Has anyone here been through the diagnosis procedure and told the DVLA about their condition? How did the DVLA take this information and what did it mean to you? Did you lose your license, was the testing that the DVLA require simple and straight forward?
Should I worry about this or back out of the diagnostic procedure before it make a mess of my life?



Sally
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07 Mar 2008, 12:12 pm

hi, having not got an official diagnosis i don't know how likely it is that your liscence would be revoked. however i just came accross this which might be useful: http://www.dft.gov.uk/162259/164386/fitnesstodrive


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07 Mar 2008, 12:27 pm

I have a driving license. Personally I am capable of reviewing my fitness to drive. I actually don't drive because I get lost and there are too many external stimuli, I can't concentrate. Interestingly I score 100% on a peripheral vision test as that is just leds on a white background. In the real world it much more difficult to recognize things. I can't focus things out.

I don't think the driving test is a good test of fitness to drive, yet I couldn't come up with a better test. I passed the test after two failed attempts, which I failed because I was nervous. The difference in real life is there is not always someone there telling you where to go and many journeys are longer than the test.

Is there really a legal requirement to let them know about Asperger's? I don't think ASD in itself is enough to say someone can't drive it is specific traits that don't necessarily occur in everyone on the spectrum.



Astilius
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07 Mar 2008, 12:41 pm

Yes, you are legally obliged to inform the DVLA of a diagnosis of AS.
They then make an assessment (somehow) as to your fitness to drive. This is where I'm unsure and would like to know exactly how they make the assessment.



Tensho
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07 Mar 2008, 3:17 pm

I would think aspies are safer drivers. One example being not likely to answer a mobile phone ringing while driving.