Does anyone know what the situation is on the thread title and the DVLA? I have a condition called Long QT Syndrome type 2, in the past I’ve had applications for Lgv provisional turned down because of it, but have argued the toss with my GP and Consultant as I’m asymptomatic (never had, or shown outwardly, any symptoms, but it still shows on ECG) that the refusal was unfair, and have managed to get the backing of my Consultant to assist with my current application. Now, because I had a heart attack last June (nothing to do with the LQTS), just after applying for the provisional, I went for an exercise ECG today, which was monitored, at the DVLA’s request, by my Consultant. In talking to him after the test, he mentioned that it was rare (read nigh on impossible) for someone with an arrythmia disorder to get Lgv, but he was doing his best to assist me and my case, but that the DVLA had asked him to answer one serious question, above any other, and that the application was likely to succeed or fail based on his answer. The question - What are the possibilities of me, year on year going forward, dropping dead, suddenly, from LQTS! So, it got me thinking, if I get the licence, all well and good, but if I don’t, I best not go making any long term plans for the future.
For those asking what is LQTS, look here
I have inherited LQTS, with a family history of sudden death, my brother when he was 5, my mother when she was 37, I’m now 35…
So, is there anyone on here, or does anyone know someone, with an arrythmia AND a Lgv licence?
SuffolkLad:
Does anyone know what the situation is on the thread title and the DVLA? I have a condition called Long QT Syndrome type 2, in the past I’ve had applications for Lgv provisional turned down because of it, but have argued the toss with my GP and Consultant as I’m asymptomatic (never had, or shown outwardly, any symptoms, but it still shows on ECG) that the refusal was unfair, and have managed to get the backing of my Consultant to assist with my current application. Now, because I had a heart attack last June (nothing to do with the LQTS), just after applying for the provisional, I went for an exercise ECG today, which was monitored, at the DVLA’s request, by my Consultant. In talking to him after the test, he mentioned that it was rare (read nigh on impossible) for someone with an arrythmia disorder to get Lgv, but he was doing his best to assist me and my case, but that the DVLA had asked him to answer one serious question, above any other, and that the application was likely to succeed or fail based on his answer. The question - What are the possibilities of me, year on year going forward, dropping dead, suddenly, from LQTS! So, it got me thinking, if I get the licence, all well and good, but if I don’t, I best not go making any long term plans for the future.
For those asking what is LQTS, look here
I have inherited LQTS, with a family history of sudden death, my brother when he was 5, my mother when she was 37, I’m now 35…
So, is there anyone on here, or does anyone know someone, with an arrythmia AND a Lgv licence?
I still have mine or at least entitlement to it although my medical has expired now. I have been careful to keep it under control. The questions on the D4 only mention Arrhythmia for a 3 month period and the question about EEG / ECG depends on the findings, at the moment I am clear, although my BP is controlled by medication, but it is at a fairly constant 120/80 which isn’t so bad for a 50 something.
Mums the word until it is time to see a flying doctor.
I wish I could keep it quiet, but it was diagnosed in 1984, and pretty much dominates my medical history, so keeping quiet wasn’t an option. Cant remember what my Bp was today, but resting Hr was 52bpm, didnt get to see what it was during the test, I was concentrating more on staying on the treadmill 
. I’ve been taking meds for blood pressure, but thats more to do with a Pulmonary Embolism that appeared after my bypass, its causing higher than normal blood pressure in my lungs, but according to my GP shouldn’t be a cause for concern with the DVLA. When I had the letter inviting me for the ECG I was pretty optimistic, previous applications have normally been met with an immediate letter of rejection, so getting this far has been quite an achievement, then the Consultant piped up with the question he’d been asked, and it kind of p’d on my bonfire, so to speak, now I’m not so hopeful.
The one thing I’ve got my hopes pinned on is, my car licence (and C1) was reviewed by the medical dept a couple of years ago, and I was allowed to keep both. Now, seeing as the medical requirements are the same for C1 and C, I’m hoping that as I’ve been allowed to keep C1 then I’ll be able to get the entitlement, as they did warn, and could have, revoked my C1 at the time but didn’t. But, I need to find out if the condition I’ve got falls within Heart Block, I’ve googled it but had no success so far, apart from a load of results in medical jargon which just goes over my head.
So, it seems that if they refuse this application again, do I appeal based on the fact I’m seen as fit to drive C1, which has, as far as I’m aware, the same medical requirements as C, so therefore I should be fit to drive C.
Or doesn’t it work like that?
SuffolkLad:
Now, seeing as the medical requirements are the same for C1 and C
Not in this context, they’re not.
A pre-1997 car test pass gives ‘until 70’ C1 based on Group 1 (car / motorcycle) medical standards. Renewal of C1 at age 70 (or earlier if short period medical renewals are required) necessitates meeting the Group 2 (LGV / PCV) medical standards.
There’s no point trying to argue that the renewal of your C1 entitlement means you meet the medical standards for provisional C. You only had to meet Group 1 standards to keep your C1 entitlement, though it is true to say that DVLA are quicker to revoke C1 than B. Instead, you need to concentrate on trying to demonstrate that you meet the Group 2 medical standards.
Good luck. I am likely to be trying the same exercise soon, but with a neurological condition. I passed my car test in 1993 and my category B and C1 entitlements were renewed 18 months ago after DVLA made medical enquiries. I had been warned to expect revocation of C1 and possibly three year renewals for B, even though nothing in my condition warrants that treatment.
My consultant neurologist is happy to certify that there is nothing in my condition preventing me from meeting the Group 2 medical standards. Whether DVLA will give me provisional C and D remains to be seen.
djw:
SuffolkLad:
My consultant neurologist is happy to certify that there is nothing in my condition preventing me from meeting the Group 2 medical standards. Whether DVLA will give me provisional C and D remains to be seen.
My consultant said the same, and after looking at a Dvla document, I thought I had a fairly decent chance of success. Long QT Syndrome is an arrythmia condition, and according to what I read, as long as it has been controlled for at least 3 months, there shouldn’t be a problem. But after speaking to the consultant at the ECG on Monday, where he was adamant that, in his words, “historically it is nigh on impossible for someone with LQTS to get a group 2 licence,” which I already knew, having had previous applications refused straight away, I’m not so confident.
Hopefully, this time will be different though, with my case actually being looked at and reviewed individually. I’m hoping I have quite a good case, I haven’t suffered from any of the LQTS problems, blackouts etc, I’ve been on Beta Blockers for the past 3yrs, I was on them years ago, but stopped when I was 18, with 14 year break from medication I never suffered any problems. The only problem seems to be they want to know what are the chances of problems developing in the future, which is, as far as I can see, like trying to predict the future, nigh on impossible.
Well, I passed all the medical requirements, I had a letter from DVLA yesterday telling me so, have rung them and licence is on its way, only requirement is a medical review every 3yrs.
SuffolkLad:
Well, I passed all the medical requirements, I had a letter from DVLA yesterday telling me so, have rung them and licence is on its way, only requirement is a medical review every 3yrs.
That is good news, and you have beaten the bureaucratic system of DVLA
This was one of my very first concerns in 2007 when it happened, my fears were put to rest, so I continued the treatment. My biggest worry was only completing 8 minutes on an almost vertical treadmill 
My heartbeat was fine, it was my legs that packed up.