PTSD drivers?

Any professional drivers out there with diagnosed PTSD preferably due to combat service?

I applied for my class 2 provisional over 14 weeks ago and got a letter last week saying they have to get further reports from my doctor ect and if my condition affects my driving which it does not I’m now extremely worried I’m going to get turned down. I’ve been through the worst of my illness and been lucky to get lots of support and recently done a six week course at combat stress and feeling myself again but this is very worrying and stressful. I’ve recently came off medication and at that it was only 25mg. Am I over reacting? Is there drivers out there with ptsd?. Just gutted as I was given a grant to achieve my class 2 now I’m sat here in the dark. This is what I want to do and would be devastated if I’m not allowed to.

Any feedback appreciated. TIA

First of all congratulations on getting better mate. That’s a huge achievement. Your post resonated with me in ways I don’t want to say. I’m no expert so don’t take what I’m saying with any weight at all.

I’ve done some googling for you mate and found this: gov.uk/guidance/psychiatric … depression

The bit that I think applies to you is for bus and lorry:

Driving is usually permitted after 6 months if the anxiety or depression has been long-standing but symptoms are under control and if maintenance on a dosage of psychotropic medication does not cause impairment.

So if you have been ‘under control’ for 6 months even on meds you should be okay. Remember I really don’t know what I’m on about here. Would also depend on the drugs I’d imagine.

Now what I’d do if I was would be to speak to my Doctor or any specialist I’m under. And get them to word any reports using that as a reference. I’m saying that as my partner writes reports like this and unless you tell them what they are after they might not make it abundantly clear. But they can’t/won’t lie mate.

Yes, but not through combat situations.

Had my licence a year, suffered a minor relapse in October last year, which resulted in the DVLA Medical Group revoking all entitlements. I’m currently waiting on its return after reapplying following 6 months “stable”.

It would be good to make your GP aware that DVLA may write to them, and perhaps talk about what the GP will write on your behalf - i.e stable, now off medication, how long you have been off it, that kind of thing. In other words, it’s helpful if your doctor writes to reassure the DVLA that in their opinion, you are not risk to yourself or others when driving a large goods vehicle.

Good luck with it.

UPdate- drivers license revoked. Absolutely devastated. Earliest I can reapply is November. Driven 8 years unhindered when my doctor knew of my ptsd, ■■■■■ that you go for help, get better then the dvla just take it off you like that without even meeting you. Will be going through appeal process and get legal advice. Will keep you posted, thanks for the reply’s guys.

You can apply 8 weeks before “due” apparently.

I did, and I’m still waiting.

The whole process is a ■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■ I was fine driving, but they took everything off me…

You’re not in it alone

I know a combat veteran with PTSD. I don’t know the details of their licence acquisition but they are a “by the book” type of person so I would seriously doubt there had been any funny business.

Thanks for the reply guys
(Update)
It’s been a while I don’t know if you’ll see this or whatever but what a rollercoaster it’s been, due to where I stay and the lack of transport I lost my job. Now people may say they took your license for a reason and so on, let me be clear I’m very open and honest with my condition I have never been a danger on the road. My main struggle was isolating myself my escape was driving my car up north of Scotland and fishing camping ect, I went to holy bush this year to get diagnosed. I’ve never felt better the past 2 years gone, before that I just wasn’t me. I told my therapist everything. The last 5 years of struggling to come to terms with my time In Afghanistan. This was sent To my doctor in a wad of paperwork. No time stamps or dates and sent to dvla with my medical for my class 2. It’s a tough thing to take I just never had the tools and I needed someone to say your not alone and so on. Now I’m labelled and the thing is I feel punished for getting help. I’ve never been on meds for longer than 2 weeks. I’ve driven 9 years and in that time had no accidents and only had 3 points for speeding.

This surly isn’t right, I have appealed and my legal aid has been denied 2 times as my solicitor is completely way out of dept (trainee).

I do feel for people be it like myself who have just given up and at times I have thought that way but I wont let this get in the way of my dreams I’m going to fight this and win.

Sorry for the rant guys. Drive safe and appreciate that license you have!!. Cheers.

I’m not too good with words. So I apologize in advance if what I want to say doesn’t come out well.

Firstly the licence set back is totally rubbish. I’m not going to say I know how you feel because I don’t. But I have been in positions where I’ve felt like I’ve hit rock bottom. But what I learn’t was that sometimes rock bottom is a great foundation from which to build.

Right now you have a target application date of November. Which is just three months away. Less than the Herrick(s) you were deployed on. Less than phase 1 training. Both of those things (if you are like me) were boring at times, stressful at times but ultimately when they came to an end it felt like the blink of an eye. So you have a short time to do whatever it is that can make you happy. After that you apply and see what will happen. You can’t let the stress of not knowing consume you. Focus on the things you can control, and embrace the ability to not give a ■■■■ about those which you can’t.

Ultimately mate - you need to think for about 5 seconds about your darkest day. But only give yourself 5 seconds - and then bring yourself back to now and focus on all that is positive. Sometimes you might not feel like there is a lot of positive, but if you can grab on to one good thing each day then that’s enough.

Like I said I’m not too good with words. And I’m not even sure if I made a lot of sense. But all the best to you mate! When you do pass your tests you will certainly be better than me - I was totally dangerous when I first passed. If you fancy a laugh look back at my threads from when I first passed.

Cheers mate, and don’t worry your great with words, I really appreciate that reply.
I’ve took it all on board and appreciate your reply.

I won’t lie this has been a major test and a real eye opener. I bottle it in and need a rant every so often which is a ball ache as i don’t wanna be like that it’s just hard to accept when you know it’s a terrible decision. And the consequences for me where devastating.

But all get there I’ve had a induction this week, I’m really well out the way so relying on people to ferry me about.

Thanks and hope your well! Thanks again mate…

I really hope you get this overturned asap just stay strong

I feel your pain mate. I’ve had my licence revoked on medical grounds twice. The problem is the criteria for being “stable”. What this means for you is that after 3 months, you can get your car license back. For the hgv, it’s less clear cut. They can make you wait 6 months, or if they decide so, they can make you wait 2 years.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news