Getting your new licence
Once your narcolepsy is controlled you again meet the DVLA regulations to drive and you can apply for a new licence.
If you surrendered your licence then you may be able to start driving again once the DVLA has confirmed it has received your re-application, and your own doctor confirms that you meet the standards.
This does not apply if your old licence was revoked. The DVLA will usually send you a questionnaire and ask permission to contact your doctor before issuing a new licence.
What sort of licence will I get?
When you get your new licence it will usually be a one, two or three-year licence. If you have two three-year licences in a row (and so have been driving trouble free for seven years) your next licence may be a licence valid until you are 70 (as with people who do not have narcolepsy). This is called a ‘till 70’ licence.
Are there some vehicles I don’t need any license to drive?
The DVLA regulations cover vehicles that are driven on public highways, not vehicles that are used on private land. A driving licence is not needed for the following vehicles as long as they are only being driven on private land and not on public roads.
- Electric wheelchairs are not considered vehicles and don’t need a driving licence.
- Forklift trucks.
- Farm vehicles (such as tractors and quad bikes) and sit-on lawn mowers.
Although a driving licence is not needed for driving on private land, employers need to consider health and safety regulations if someone drives on private land as part of their job. Advice for these vehicles is available from the Health and Safety Executive. The standards they advise are similar to car and LGV standards, depending on the vehicle’s size and weight.