EPILEPSY REGS UNFAIR
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After reading this week's questions page I would like to comment on the question of epilepsy rags.
I was led to believe epilepsy is a medical condition that prevents a person obtaining an HGV licence.
I was diagnosed as diabetic back in October 1989, and was prescribed insulin. At this time I notified the Traffic Commissioner in Edinburgh of my condition, and also the DVLA in Swansea. I received a letter from Edinburgh informing me that my condition might affect my ability to hold this licence, but that I could continue to drive these vehicles. Having had no more correspondence, I sent off my licence to have it renewed in December 1990.1n January 19911 received a letter stating that my licence was not being renewed as I was diabetic. I then instructed a lawyer to write to Edinburgh on my behalf to ask for a reconsideration, but the reply was still unfavourable. And then a new law came into force on 1 April 1991 barring all new diabetics from obtaining this type of licence, though any person who held a licence before that date and had also informed the Traffic Commissioner before 1January 1991and the DVLA before 1April 1991 should still have been able to obtain this licence.
Since then I have been trying to argue my case with both the TC and the DVLA, but have had no joy. I did everything by the book and met both these deadlines by more than 12 months. I have written documentation from the DVLA stating that it lost my case papers during the months January to Apri11991. But as I did not hold a current licence on this one day, lApril 1991, my licence cannot be renewed.
Both my GP and my consultant physician have given me letters stating that in their professional opinions lam no danger to any other road user, as my control is excellent, so I do not see how a person with epilepsy is any different from a person with diabetes.
Copies of the relevant correspondence can be sent on request.
Archie Meacham, Owner-driver, T.5-tonner, Banknock.