Consultation on amendments to driver medical standards on eyesight, epilepsy and diabetes Release Date: 03/02/2011 Proposed amendments to minimum medical standards for drivers in relation to eyesight, epilepsy and diabetes were published today by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The measures are contained in a consultation on the implementation of European minimum medical standards for drivers. While UK standards must be at least at the level of a minimum standard, the UK is not required to relax existing domestic standards where these are justifiably higher than the EU standards. However, where the Secretary of State's Medical Advisory Panel has advised that a relaxation in standards is consistent with road safety, the recommendation is that this is adopted as the UK standard. Group 1 - Cars and Motorcycles - A reduction in the distance that a number plate can be read from to test visual acuity. Currently, a number plate test is conducted at a distance of 20 metres, this will be reduced to 17.5 metres. Group 1 - Cars and Motorcycles - Drivers who only suffer seizures whilst asleep would be considered for a licence after one year instead of the current requirement of three years. Group 1 - Cars and Motorcycles - Under the proposals, licences will not be issued or renewed for drivers with recurrent severe hypoglycaemia and/or impaired hypoglycaemic awareness. 1. Driver licensing rules in the UK are governed by the second European Council Directive on driving licences (91/439/EEC) originally adopted in 1991. The minimum medical standards for the issue of driving licences are detailed in Annex III of the second Directive and the forthcoming third European Directive on driving licences. All press enquiries should be directed to:
Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, said:
"Britain has some of the safest roads in the world and licensing rules have an important role in maintaining this position. We must make sure that only those who are safe to drive are allowed on our roads, while at the same time avoiding placing unnecessary restrictions on people's independence.
"We have taken expert advice on the latest evidence on eyesight, epilepsy and diabetes and believe these proposals strike the right balance in allowing as many people as possible to drive, without compromising safety. We would welcome views from anyone affected by the changes and will consider all representations before setting out our final decisions."
The main aspects of the new standards are:
Eyesight
Group 2 - Buses and Lorries - A change for those who wear spectacles in how they are assessed. The eyesight test will concentrate on vision standards with the driver wearing their glasses.
Epilepsy
Drivers who suffer seizures that have no impact on consciousness or the ability to act could, for the first time, be considered for a licence after one year.
Group 2 - Buses and Lorries - For the first time, there will be a definition of epilepsy. The new EU Directives provide a definition as being "two or more epileptic seizures less than five years apart". The Secretary of State's Medical Advisory Panel on neurology is content with this definition for Group 1 drivers. However, the panel recommends that for Group 2 drivers, the UK treats epilepsy as being "two or more epileptic seizures less than ten years apart". Therefore, for Group 2 drivers the DVLA is proposing to adopt a higher standard than the EU standard.
Diabetes
Group 2 - Buses and Lorries - Drivers who are treated with insulin would be considered for all Group 2 driver licensing, providing strict medical monitoring is met. Currently, Group 2 drivers treated with insulin are restricted to certain categories of vehicle.
-Ends- Notes to Editors:
2. Member States may apply stricter standards than those imposed by the EU.
3. The Secretary of State's experts on the Honorary Medical Advisory Panels for eyesight, diabetes and epilepsy have considered the medical Directives and how these compare with existing UK standards.
4. The consultation period will run until 28th April 2011, and can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/consultations/currentconsultations.aspxPress enquiries:
DVLA Press Office
Tel: 0300 123 0791
Out of Hours: 0300 123 2407
press.office@dvla.gsi.gov.uk
www.dft.gov.uk/dvla
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Minutes of the January Meeting
Date of meeting: January 17th British Legion Hall, Truro
Members Present: M.Marris. C.Clayton. T.Moran. A.Boswithisck. R.Boyle. R.Phillips. D.McQuillan-Wright. D.Care. F.Rossin. S.Hodder.
Guests: J,Bradby. M.Wayman.
Apologies: M.Lane. T.Carvell.
AGM.
No new candidates for officers positions so all existing officers were re-elected.
Subs are to stay at £30 to be paid by or at the Feb meeting.
Matters Arising:
Please send any amendments to your CAADI website to Richard as regular updates keep the site high on the search engine list.
Discussed possibly subsiding the xmas meal instead of subsidising the wine.
It was suggested that all subscription money collected each year should be used for members CPD training.
Correspondence:
CAADI have been contacted by Sarah Macdonald-Ames who offers one day coaching courses, response from members was favourable, further the days coaching will cost £65/candidate and we are trying to set a date for a Saturday in May, details to follow, please confirm at the Feb meeting.
News from Test Centres:
Bodmin: An Interesting conversation was had yet again about the Innis Downs Roundabout particularly entrance speed onto the dual carriage way east bound.
Camborne: It was reported that an examiner took control during the independent driving part of the test.
Karen is now based at Camborne.
Penzance: No news.
A.O.B: Cornwall Council are no longer funding Pas Plus.
Frank will organise a social event ( archery ).
Nominations for the Don McQuilllan- Wright cup must be received by Nov for presentation at the Xmas meal.
Topic for next meeting:
Details of next meeting will be sent to you by Frank.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY at the British Legion Club,Truro at 7.30pm NOTE DAY AND DATE CHANGE!!!!!!!! * * * * * * * * * *
Changes to the ADI registration reminder
DSA's process to remind you to renew your approved driving instructor (ADI) registration is about to change.
From May 2011, DSA will still aim to send you a renewal reminder letter six months before your registration expiry date, but won't send you another one three months later. This is so that you only receive essential communication from the agency.
Please remember, it's your responsibility to make sure you renew in time, although DSA will always aim to send you the reminder.
You'll also need to give yourself enough time to apply for your Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure. Your reminder letter will tell you how to do this.
If you've already received a six month reminder
If your six-month renewal reminder arrives before the beginning of May, you won't be receiving another reminder three months later.
Manage your registration online
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Minutes of the February Meeting
1. Date & Time of Meeting: 15th February 2011
2. Members Present:M.Marris.D,Care.M,Lane.A,Whitehead.T,Carvell.R,Boyle. ,C,Clayton.A,Boswarthick.J,Bradby.S,Hodder.F,Rossin
3. Apologies received:Don and T.Moran
4. Minutes of previous meeting read/received:
5. Matters Arising: Discussed the Coaching Training taking place in May,it was decided that members pay £50 each with CAADI to subsidise the remaining £15 . All forms and cheques to be sent to Mike Marris.
6. Correspondence None
7. News from Test Centres:
Bodmin: None
Camborne None
Penzance None
8. Any other Business: Discussed archery as a social event for the summer and suggest bowling for the autumn.
9. ;Evening Presentation: None
10. ;Topic for next meeting: Discussion on income tax ( avoidance of ) !!!!!!
12. Date & time for next meeting: TUESDAY 22nd March 7.30pm usual venue
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