REVOCATION: WHAT YOU CAN DO Drivers who lose their licence
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as a result of suspected ill health can appeal through a magistrates court within six months of revocation. In Scotland the Sherriff hears appeals within 21 days.
But appeals can be costly. Transport lawyer Christopher Over reckons a driver will need up to £2,000 to fight loss of licence: 000 for a medical report; 000 for his doctor to appear as a witness, and £1,000 in legal fees.
Over advises drivers in work to take out legal expenses insurance but is convinced the current system weighs too heavily against the driver.
He backs the call by transport trade unions and the Road Haulage Association for drivers to be able to lodge appeals, at no cost, direct:), with a DSS medical board.
If an appeal has failed the DVLA's senior medical adviser, Dr John Irving, is prepared to reconsider cases where new evidence is presented. He is also prepared to look at cases where clarification is required.
But the DVLA stresses that a driver's "first port of call" should be his GP in case something is being held back. "They do not always tell the patient everything they tell the agency," it warns.