Drivers License

(Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy)

    


The story of how I lost my drivers license and what I had to do to get it back.....


Drivers License:

After my right leg amputation in September 2020, I started driving about three months after, even before getting my prosthesis (using my left foot for gas & brake). After getting my prosthesis, I was back to driving like normal, which for me, was right foot gas & left foot brake. I have driven this way for over 20 years. After a few days on the road, I had a good feel for things and was very comfortable behind the wheel.

I then got nervous that if I got into an accident, my amputation could be an issue, so I did some research. What I found is that I could take an FDE (functional driving evaluation) through a private company, costing me $1500, or advise Motor Vehicles of my medical condition, and let them decide what needed to be done. If they wanted me to take the FDE, then they would pay for it. Of course I chose the latter.

Fast forward to February 2024, after driving safely with my prosthesis for just over two years, I get a letter from Motor Vehicles advising me that they want me to take an ERA (enhanced road assessment). Took them long enough. I booked the ERA for early May 2023.

May 2, 2023 was when I checked into the hospital, with paralysis and cognitive dysfunction, and six weeks later diagnosed with CIDP. During this tine, my parents were in charge of my life. Mom contacted Motor Vehicles, explained the situation, and got a three week extension on the ERA appointment.

That three weeks went by, I still had the paralysis and cognitive dysfunction, so once again, Mom contacted Motor Vehicles, explained the situation, and got a three month extension on the ERA appointment. Perfect.

In the meantime, RoadSafetyBC found out my situation, and in their view, I was refusing to take the ERA, and sent me a letter. From the letter, "RoadSafetyBC has an obligation to maintain road safety by ensuring that British Columbia drivers are medically fit and able to drive safely. Drivers with a loss of a limb are eligible to hold a driver's licence if a road test indicates the ability to compensate for any loss of functional ability required for driving. As you have not been able to complete the ERA within the specified timeframe, please be aware that your Class 5 driver's licence has now been cancelled under section 92 of the Motor Vehicle Act."

This letter was from early June 2023. With everything I was going through in the hospital, mom didn't have the heart to give me this bad news.

Three months later, I am getting better, and now in a rehabilitation facility. I am telling mom that we need to contact Motor Vehicles and discuss the situation. My thoughts were to get another extension and hopefully I would be back on my feet by then. Mom then presented me the letter from RoadSafetyBC. I was devistated, but being the government, there was nothing I could do about it. Mom had written them a letter pleading for them not to cancel my license, but we never heard back.

I put this on the back burner and focussed on my revovery. I was released from rehab late September 2023 and continued getting better at home and with private physio.

Mid October 2023, I was doing good in my CIDP recovery, so decided it was time to get my license back. Mid November 2023 I got with my doctor, and he signed off on me being fit to drive; that cost me $250.

Early December 2023, I get a letter from RoadsafeBC advising me of what I needed to do; I had to take the FDE for $1450 (they will reimburse me as ling as I pass), then will advise if I need to take an ERA, an ICBC road test re-examination, or just go get my license back.

I was getting ready to book the FDE, when my left foot got infected, leading to a partial foot amputation. The surgery was in the beginning of February 2024, and I starting to walk around mid April 2024.

I was also getting eager to get back home as I haven't slept in my own bed for over a year, and been staying with my parents for close to eight months.

Time to book that FDE.

I took the in class part of the FDE in early May 2024. This consisted of cognitive, strength and reaction testing. The on road part of the test was in late May 2024, where I did just over an hour of driving in a Kia Forte with dual controls. I passed both with no issue.

I heard from RoadSafetyBC late July 2024. They told me I don't need to do any further testing, so I just have to book an appointment with Motor Vehicles to get my license back.

As of the end of July 2024, I have my DL and am back driving.



If you have any comments, suggestions, or see any errors, please let me know..... cbradley@telus.net

Last updated on July 19/2024

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