Suspension and Revocation: Reinstating a License Under Health-Related Suspension

mardi 2 septembre 2014

My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: California



Hi,



I posted a while back on a thread that's now closed:

http://ift.tt/1nRetaW



My license was reinstated a while ago and I've been meaning to come back to this forum and post a little info for those who may be in a similar situation. Long story short: back in January 2014, I lost consciousness while driving and found out that I already had a health-related suspension that I wasn't aware of dating back to 2009. In the other thread, I asked what my fate would be after getting a pink slip (form 13801 if I remember correctly). One of the responses was along the lines of doubting if I could get the license reinstated at all because of the 2009 suspension that I was unaware of. So, for those who might have a similar situation, here's what happened with me...



First, I knew that I'd need to get clearance from doctors before the DMV would do anything. So, I went to a general practitioner, who recommended I see 2 specialists whose expertise was relevant to loss of consciousness. I went to both specialists and did numerous tests that all suggested I was safe to drive. From a medical standpoint, nobody had any doubt. I had called the DMV earlier (before ever making an appointment) to ask what I needed to do. They said just send a medical evaluation form from any doctor. I asked 2 different DMV employees on the phone about this to verify. DON'T BELIEVE THEM. They don't know what they're talking about. Save yourself the frustration and get a form signed by every doctor that you can. The medical form has you list anything that you either have now or have ever had.



For an item that I no longer had (depression), they made me get another form signed from a psychiatrist. By the way, the people on the DMV phone don't know the difference between a neurologist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. I didn't really think they knew what they were talking about so after they said "psychologist", I verified that it "didn't have to be a psychiatrist". Of course, it had to be. So after I went (for the first time in my life) to see a shrink, he said he'd sign the form no problem because the DMV was ridiculous (he shook his head at the DMV). I then sent the additional form from him and a neurologist, in addition to the form I sent from the cardiologist earlier. By now, it had been a very long time (by my standards anyway) since the DMV sent the notice that 1 doctor's opinion wasn't enough and they wanted 3 opinions.



Once you've sent 3 forms from health professionals, don't think you're in the clear. I now had to do an appointment with the DMV. The notice they send has generic fine print about taking written exams and right to a witness or legal counsel, etc. I had called earlier back in January asking about the whole process. The lady on the phone said that there's no way they'd make me retake any exams and that I just needed medical clearance. Given many phone experiences I had since then that I'm not listing here, I was wary of believing anything. So, I studied to retake the written exam just in case. Sure enough, the test I was told I wouldn't have to take was given to me. It's only 18 questions instead of the 36 questions that first-time examinees take. I passed it no problem and then went to an interview with some DMV officer immediately after.



If you refer to the previous thread, one comment said that this suspension was for the 2014 incident and I'd have trouble getting my license because I waived my right to reinstating the 2009 suspension by not responding to the notice (that I never got) within 10 days. The suspension I was being interviewed for was actually the 2009 one and I wouldn't need a separate one for the 2014 incident. I must say it helps to be friendly with the DMV officers, who probably hate their lives because they're dealing with a lot of people who probably hate them without even meeting them. I injected some humor here and there when talking about my past situations and could tell that she appreciated it even before she told me she did. She could see that I was mentally sound and said that the fact that nothing happened between 2009 and 2014 said something about my driving ability. I got the license reinstated there and she said to go to the regular DMV office (as opposed to the health office where I was) to fill out more forms and get my picture taken for my new license. If you go to the regular DMV office right after you go to the health office, be prepared for them to not know that you just passed the written test and make you take another one. Just tell them to call the health office and wait 30 minutes for them to verify it after you've already waited 3 hours. After that, you should be allowed to drive again.



Sorry this was so long but I hope this might help somebody who may have had something similar happen. Good luck and just keep in mind that anybody on the DMV phone is probably not well-trained. I have several stories that I could post about them but won't.





Suspension and Revocation: Reinstating a License Under Health-Related Suspension

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