PIP Tribunal Query

venkman123
venkman123 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
Hi all

This is my first post on here but just wanted to see if anyone can advise please?

I’m waiting to hear a date from the tribunal service but on my original application, I used some wording in my answer to question 13 that my advisor thinks is problematic and I wanted to get everyone’s opinion on. 

I said: “I am able and HAVE to drive; I can do so 
on familiar journeys on my own most days (although I’m safe when someone is with me, but I don’t get that support at the moment), but it takes a lot of mental energy to get out the door in the first place.I have to push through the physical pain and avoidance in my head of not wanting to go out (due to anxiety and depression), because if I don’t, our son wouldn’t be able to go to nursery, or I’d miss a health appointment. 

Pretty much every time I go out and drive, I get quite stressed. My mental state isn’t the best and my ADHD can mean I have a short fuse when people do dangerous things on the roads, such as cut me up, or put me in danger; I get irrationally angry and upset about events that happen whilst I’m out. I also make poor choices due to impulsivity and put myself at risk because of this. When my husband is with me, he will try and help to make sure that this doesn’t happen. I don’t think about the consequences in that moment and that makes it more likely for me to get into an accident.”

My advisor has said that because I’ve said I’m more likely to get into an accident, that if the Tribunal panel were to pick up on this, they can order DVLA to take my license from me. He said that I should withdraw my appeal if I don’t want this to happen.

Obviously I don’t. I’m a parent carer also to our 5yo son with severe autism. I need to be able to drive. I’ve never had an accident, I just meant that the impulsivity comes into play in the moment but I have significant physical problems too. 

What do you guys think on this? 

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 62,135 Championing
    If your health condition affects your driving and can put either yourself or others in danger then you need to report your condition to DVLA and they will decide if it's safe for you to continue driving. There's a list of conditions that need to be reported here. https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving/find-condition-a-to-z

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,005 Championing
    As poppy says there are certain conditions that require you to notify DVLA and it is an offence not to do so. Some conditions will prevent you from being allowed to drive. 
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    edited February 2023
    I would just like to add a warm welcome @venkman123. It is great to see you have joined us. 

    Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to support you. We are all here for you and listening to you  :)
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 12,221 Championing
    I would also like to pop on a warm welcome as well. Don't forget to check out our coffee lounge where we can have fun together.