Can he get a license

[jjaammeess]

Hello

I would really appreciate help with the following.My son is 28 years of age and has passed his driving test in March this year and is now applying for a full license.He has suffered from depression and about two years ago he took an overdose and was in hospital for about two weeks .But he has made a good recoveryand is on medication at the moment .On the application form for a full license you have to disclose information about any psychiatric illness.Can anybody tell me if he discloses this information will he gets his full license or is this sufficient past illness history to prevent him getting a full license.He is very anxious about this as he is hoping to get promotion at his job and this promotion would require the use of a car.thanks in advance for any help.I have also posted this under Motoring

[smudge]

Just taken a look at part of the Application Form here & it does state that you should complete the medical section regarding mental illness, etc. It also asks for the GP, hospital attended, etc.

It would be very easy to ignore this section, but it usually pays to be honest in the long run. I'm sure there are thousands of fully qualified drivers out there, that have completed these forms & gone on to pass their driving test & gone on to be successful in their careers.

For future reference, perhaps your son could obtain a letter from his GP, saying that he has now fully recovered & is able to carry out normal duties & learn to drive.

I'm not an expert, but only suggesting what I would do.

Whatever the outcome, I wish your son all the very best.

[Drisgirl]

I agree with smudge - not being entirely truthful has a habit of biting you in the bum.He would then have to go on to not disclose this on his insurance which would effectively negate it should he need to claim.

The bottom line is that 1 in 4 adults have suffered from a form of psychiatric illness in their lives - I have and never would pretend it hadnt happened.

The worst case scenario is they will write to his GP for his/her opinion-so he should pay him a visit and advise him/her to anticipate it and his GP will probably be able to reassure him.

[smudge]

Let's know how your son gets on jj.

[jjaammeess]

After I read your replies and also the ones from Motoring I was greatly relieved and managed to get a night's sleep. I downloaded to your link and this made it look much simpler.When the use of a car becomes extremely important you're tempted to be economical with the truth. I rung the DVLA this morning and decided to be completely truthful with them as you both have suggested.I was surprised how sympathetic they were. The conclusion was that they will send out a medical form to fill in like the one from your link which will take about five weeks to process.I asked then if a doctor's certificate would be acceptable in the meantime and they said it would.So he will be able to drive once he gets the certificate.From this experience with the DVLA I would say that it pays to be completely honest ( they are much easier to deal with and sympathetic than you might think )as you have suggested.I have been at home today and I am looking forward to telling him the good news when gets to his flat.Thanks again for your timely help

PS coincidentally I am reading an article in this month's(I think) reader's digest entitled 'When life insurers won't pay up' This man died at the age of 42 and his widow and three children were devastated. But at least they were comforted by the thought that they would not lose their house because they could claim �250,000 from a life insurance taken out in 2,002 Six weeks later his wife received a letter from Scottish widows saying that they cannot accept the claim because certain material facts were not disclosed on the original application.

[smudge]

I am so pleased to have read your positive reply jj. I'm sure everything will work out fine for your son & wish him a very healthy & happy future. Good luck to you both. Smudge -x-

[Drisgirl]

Ditto smudge - all the best!!x