So is he going to tell anyway?

[Chatter-box]

WV is not a mandatory reporting state, thank God. But if a Dr. is not REQUIRED to tell the DMV can he do it anyway? I mean even if you don't give informed consent? Can he just go behind your back and tell them and get your licence revoked? I'm very concerned about this. Yes, I've heard all the talk on here about not driving and how that makes the public safer from you and gives you ten extra gold crowns in heaven, but this not driving threat is coming between me and the very medical care that might really control these seizures. In other words, if he is gonna tell, I won't tell first. What do you think he's going to do? If I tell him I had 5-6 complex partial seizures in the last year (WV is a 1 year state) is he going to tell anyway even if he doesn't have to? Do we have any WV lawyers out there?

[Nakamova]

If your doc is not mandated to report your seizures, then the info should be considered privileged, private medical information, and your doctor cannot share it with the state.

[brain]

WV is not a mandatory reporting state, thank God. But if a Dr. is not REQUIRED to tell the DMV can he do it anyway? I mean even if you don't give informed consent? Can he just go behind your back and tell them and get your licence revoked? I'm very concerned about this. Yes, I've heard all the talk on here about not driving and how that makes the public safer from you and gives you ten extra gold crowns in heaven, but this not driving threat is coming between me and the very medical care that might really control these seizures. In other words, if he is gonna tell, I won't tell first. What do you think he's going to do? If I tell him I had 5-6 complex partial seizures in the last year (WV is a 1 year state) is he going to tell anyway even if he doesn't have to? Do we have any WV lawyers out there?

Yes, No, and Maybe.

If your State isn't a mandatory State or it's solely upon the Doctor's
decision (which has an addendum where it relieves the Doctor from
liabilities from reporting the individual).

Those States that do not have a mandatory or a voluntary reporting,
the Department of Motor Vehicles has a Medical Board that reviews the
cases, one-by-one; and sometimes they can override the Doctor's
own decision or have you be seen (at their expense) by their own
Doctor of choice for a 2nd opinion and evaluation and/or also appearing
to their Motor Vehicle Office and seeing their Supervisor or specific
individual - usually a letter will be sent to you to contact to arrange
an appointment - and if that MVA Specialist feels that you are qualified
to drive (note: he/she may have you to do tests plus road tests).

Also the MVA Specialist may also have you in his/her office to ask
further questions as when these events happen (e.g. - like first thing
when you wake up, nocturnal, or at nights) - then that Specialist
would so note it. They can imply (no one drives in their sleep anyway)
no night driving, or put you on a time frame as when you are permitted
to drive with exceptions of emergencies; and here's a helpful hint -
I never drive when I am up-to-par, in fact, I had been known to
cancel appointments because I wasn't there - I refused to drive if
I'm not in sync.

That was how I maintained my long-time driving privilege in my
own State for decades because I was so compliant and they were
excessively pleased - not just from the reports from the Physicians
but also from their own Staff - and yes, I had to cancel one or two
appointments with their own Staff because I wasn't all there and it
was merely rescheduled. They saw it good because I wouldn't drive
to endanger someone else.

But the time came when I surrendered on my own; and the Driver's
License Office was actually balking about this - *laughing* - they
actually weren't "grab happy" in taking away my Driver's License
because of my historical records - I was too good and a safe driver.
It took them a long time and an argument there because I just knew
that I knew that I knew that my driving days were over.

I had already been on phone and email correspondence with the State
and now at the local office, they were going back and forth with the
State - finally caved in, and issued me my ID card and took my Driver's
License and before they did, they wanted me to see my Neurologist
first, but I refused, because I already knew what he was going to
say anyway. Mind you, once this was over, I rode my Trek over to
my Primary's office and showed them the paper, and he was pleased
and all smiles - a copy was made for the chart.

Same went with my Cardiologist and my Neurologist - I saved them
a heck of a lot of paperwork and trouble there by doing this voluntarily,
and all of them were happy.

I could never live with myself if I ever drove, had a seizure, and killed
someone - the thought of having a child without their parent or parents
or vice versa, a child who just graduated with a bright future and with
beaming parents .. now having to head to a funeral, all because of
stupid "E" ... I just couldn't live with that; or worse, a grandparent,
or anything - even if it cost me my own life. It was just plain common
sense in action.

Sufficient enough that drunk drivers are doing enough damage as is,
we don't need media exposures showing that Epilepsy killed blah blah
blah .... because the driver's seizure wasn't controlled. It's hard
enough as is for Epilepsy to gain Public Awareness.

Just my humble thoughts here ... there is a time to know when to
say when ...

[stilldancing_98]

What would you do?

[McGill]

While I'm Canadian & it's mandatory to report someone who has a seizure disorder here, to limit your own personal liability and potential charges of criminal negligence, I wouldn't drive until I have been seizure-free for at least one year. You could lose your shirt financially b/c you knowingly are driving and are at a much higer risk to inure someone. You'd never be covered by an insurance company again, or if you were, the premiums would be so high that they would almost be prohibitive to pay!!

[stilldancing_98]

That is how I feel. It's that and safety.

[C0urt]

What would you do?

get a bike and a nice jacket.

[McGill]

What would you do?

I'd get a bicycle and drive it in the bicycle paths (provided there are pats for these in your sity & state) b/c A) it's a lot cheaper economically; B) it's environmentally friendly, C) provided you follow the "rules of the road" b/c a bicycle IS a vehicle, you shouldn't have too much problem and D) walk for another form of cardiovascular exercise!! You'll be healthier in the long run! (Any chain-driven means of propulsion forward is legally determined to be a vehicle.)

Further, if you feel a seizure coming on, you can get off your bike fairly quickly and minimize any potential damage you might otherwise do. That's a huge bonus!!