How long have you not been driving for Chewie? I was 14months and I was a bit rusty but it soon comes back to you. When is your ban up? I was worried about the medical as I thought it would show up my years of being a binge drinker but it was fine, I went for a month without and likewise abstained while waiting for results, which all in all has taken nearly 2 months! Really hope you get a good result, I;ll keep my fingers crossed for you (and everyone else!) Let us know when you hear anything:)

Thanks:) know what you mean about taKing the kids to school. I felt such a failure to them as I couldn't take them to any clubs after school and if he missed the school bus it took me about 2 hours to get him there even though it's only 4 miles away! (rural location no public transport!) I felt so good taking them out to meet their friends etc. Was scary at first though as my first day back driving was ed city centre in the snow lol! Definately learned my lesson though and also changed my drinking habits, I would always have a wee drink or 3 on a sat night but not bothered tonight so habits have changed. Congrats to you also and hopefully many happy years ahead of you and everyone here, driving!

Well 2 weeks after returning to do the physical part of my medical I gat my full license through the post. No letter of confirmation of passing the medical or anything! Very glad it is all over though, there is a lot of waiting on things, waiting and preparing for the medical, waiting for the results, waiting to drive! I have been driving on a temp license since Dec but apparently this is going to be stopped in the future. Thanks for all the advice I have had on here it's been a real help. And also to come on and speak to people in the same position who don't judge:) I hope everyone elses process goes smoothly and I shall keep popping on to see if I can offer advice to any1 else. Oh and also one more thing. I know what we have all done is wrong but the dvla are a law unto themselves!

oh dear, hope your ok. My medical was a month ago. Came home today, message on phone to call back about the results.......Doctor didn't fill out the results of my physical examination so I have to go back!!Grrrrrr! This saga just drags on and on!

Well had my medical today. Very quick 10 mins with nurse who took my bp height weight 2 bloods and a urine sample. She was very nice, said that they are not penalising you for drinking in your own home, if that is sensible drinking. Results would only come up bad if you were an excessive drinker. Also said she has had people in who were out the night before and passed the test! But she said I should be fine as long as I have not had a big binge in the last 2 weeks which I haven't. Then went to the doctors office where you are lucky if I was in 5 mins. He felt my liver and spleen, listened to my chest and back and had to do a series of strange tests like stand with my eyes closed and arms stretched out in front of me while he tapped my hands so they 'bounced' if that is the right word. Then he held his finger in front of me and asked me to touch it, then my nose and then again and again faster and faster! He also checked my eyes, tongue and made me walk forwards heel to toe and that was me! So that is the worst part over just waiting on the results, although I will be driving Sunday as that is when my ban is up and I have a temp license for then. Oh and the doctor also said that these things were routine and that they are more interested in the bloods. Hope this helps and I shall post again when I get my results:)

Yeah I was going to ask the same. Only crash I ever had was what I was banned for so obv drinking was invloved and the DVLA know this. So do they mean,'not including' or 'including' the incident?! The DVLA really do have a lot of grey areas.

Thanks Vicky! Phoned the DVLA today and akthough they state my ban ends on 26th it means I can't drive till 27th! Is it just me or should they actually state that on the letter?! Never mind at least I know now! I'll let you know how I get on:)

I'm sure it will fly in for you. At least you know you have passed the medical and will definately be behind the wheel again in feb! I am unsure about the date of the end of my ban. When I spoke to the DVLA she definately said that I can't drive till the 27th. But the interim license just says 'your disqualification ends on the 26th of December' So I don't no if it finishes midnight on 26th or midnight 25th!! I looked back to when I was sentenced on the calender and if it was going by me being allowed to drive on the 26th, it would mean I was sentenced on a Sunday!! I suppose if it is the 27th one more day isn't going to make much difference!

Oh and one more thing, I recieved my interim license thru and it says my disqualification ends on the 26th of dec. Does this mean I can drive on the 26th or do I have to wait till the 27th?! Thanks in advance anyone

Hi Vicky, Congratulations on passing your medical! I have mine on Monday will be glad to get it over with. That's interesting about the questions. Thing is, who hasn't ever tried cannibas? It would look strange if everyone said no surely? I don't smoke it at all, but I would be lying if I said I had never smoked through my teenage years! But you think I should still say no?! The questions would be interesting to see, I think someone on hear said they are more bothered about blood tests?! I think the whole thing is a money making [problem]!

Hi Jasser, I aggree and sympathise with you. I too lost my job, had to move home, move children schools etc. It affected ABSOLUTELY EVERY PART OF MY LIFE. I can't go to my kids parent interviews or take them to any after school clubs, take them to their dads.....the list goes on(we live in a place with no bus service or train service. I can see and understand the purpose of the medical, but, like you say, drinking in ones own home is not a crime but what else can we do?? I want my license back end off. If i need to abstain from alcohol to get through this 'money making' [problem] then I will. The DVLA will know how much we all want to be behind the wheel again, and know we will pay to do this medical. Regardless of how 'right/wrong' it is. My medical is a week today and I have not had a drop of alcohol for over 3 weeks now so am hoping I will be fine. And, to take the good from the situation, I have learned that I don't need to have a drink on a weekend to enjoy myself. I have had birthdays and meals out in the last 3 weeks that I would normally have had a drink at and tbh it has been really easy just to have a soft drink. This is definately a good lesson I have learned for the future, that I can go to a social occasion and to a pub and not have to have alcohol.

Good luck, hope you pass. Did you know you can get an interim license if they are still processng your medical? My medical is the 21st Dec and my ban is up the 26th Dec so I have mine through so that I will be able to drive then. Just hope this medical goes fine and I don't have to go through the process of stopping driving again! I didn't realise they could trace drinking habits back 12 months?! I thought by not drinking for 4-6 weeks should see you fine? Let us know how you get on:-)

thanks Hungrybear, that is good they take 2 samples. My mind is a bit more at ease now.

I have another question regarding the medical if any1 can help me. My medical is booked for 21st Dec. I have heard a few stories about peoples bloods getting lost/messed up and having to go back for another medical. I am hoping this won't happen to me as I would like a little drink over the festive period! Obviously I will not be drinking and driving, but a few sociable drinks with my family without having to worry about the medical would be nice! I had heard about getting your own samples done for independent analisis but when i went to my doctor today they said they are not able to do this. Only if I fail the medical will I be able to get this done. Does anyone know of anywhere/anyhow I can get this done?? I have been doing everything required to pass the medical, not had a drop of alcohol for weeks now, but I don't want to have to go back for more bloods if I have e few at christmas and then fail because of it:confused: Any advice greatly appreciated:)

I know. You'd think I have been punished enough, living in the middle of nowwhere with 2 kids and no public transport! There is another website specifically for drink drive convicts(!) and a whole bit on how the DVLA medical is a sham, infringing on human rights, like drinking in your own home, which is different from drink driving. When I did the rehabilitation course the teacher said that about 20% of people who have to have the medical fall through some loophole and if that happens, don't phone the dvla just wait on your license?! Also some doctors only accept cash, there is also stories of peolpe going for the medical only to be contacted to say their samples have been lost/messed up and they have to go again! I will be asking for my own sample to be analysed by my doctor in case tis happens.