My friend has just called me and is distressed as she was told she possibly has sleep apnoea and must stop driving immediately and report it to the DVLA. Is this correct? My mother has severe sleep apnoea (to the point where she suffered a cardiac arrest), but she was never told she had to stop driving.
Thanks in anticipation of your answers
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#1 by Thinkenstein on :
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Sleep apnea does not affect driving any more than a host of chronic ailments. Furthermore, once once gets CPAP treatment their sleep apnea barely affects their lives. I know of no requirements to report this condition to any agency and I know of no drivers license restrictions associated with sleep apnea. It sounds like someone ignorantly confused narcolepsy (which does affect driving skills) with sleep apnea. I hope this was not a medical professional.
#2 by L-Rad on :
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I have sleep apnea as well, and it's a condition where you stop breathing while asleep (I'm sure you know that, since your mother has the condition as well). But it only happens while you're asleep. That has nothing to do with driving while you're fully conscious. Tell your friend not to worry about it, she can still drive.
#3 by ragingmk on :
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Yes it is true that she must stop driving and report it to the DVLA. She can only start driving again once it is proven that the condition is under control. See link for info, file is a PDF document and you need to see page 41.
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/medical/aagv1.pdf
#4 by celebrityhandbags on :
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Perhaps your mothers in denial and WONT stop driving – often the odler isnt the wiser – have a chat with your mothers GP – she could be a risk to herself and other users on the road.
#5 by stargazerlilly79 on :
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Allthough I find it to be a ridicilous law.Some state's actually do suspend/restrict liscense's for Sleep Apnea.They were able to pass such law's believeing that it would benifit the general public.
As im sure you know …Sleep apnea means "Cessatation Of Breath".This usually happens when there is a reduction in blood oxygen saturation brought on by, albeit minor or not so minor obstruction's.Swollen tissue,Large tonsil's or tongue or even an irregular shaped jaw can play a factor in sleep apnea.
Having said that.. Lawmaker's believe that long term sleep depriveation.. will effect the motorist ability to drive.
Yes, it is possibilitythat she could have her liscense suspended, but usually only suspend on a case by case basis.Her general practioner would be the one to decide weither she will be fit to drive.Some doctor's are sympathetic and some are not.If your friend does not agree with her doctor's descision to recommend suspension to the d.m.v.It would be wise to get a second opinion.
There are great medications and breathing machine's on the market these day's that help people lead normal live's.It's very possible that if the doctor's can stabilize her condition,she may be able to regain her driving priviliges.
#6 by LMM on :
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My uncle has sleep apnoea he reported it to the DVLA his case was looked at with letters from both his GP and consultant and he did not lose his driving license
#7 by spoofred on :
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i never heard of people who suffer with sleep apnoea having to stop driving if they had narcolepsy (constantly falling asleep for no reason) then yeah but not sleep apnoea
#8 by janemull on :
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my understanding of sleep apnoea is that you stop breathing while you are sleeping and this can cause tiredness which in turn can cause you to fall asleep suddenly during the day. that is the reason it is reportable to dvla.