Wigan cancer patient's battle for driving licence

Amanda Hollis stopped driving while undergoing treatment for breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2016.

But she says she was given permission by her doctor to get behind the wheel again last year and started driving.

The 37-year-old secured a job as a delivery driver in June, feeling she was well enough to start working again.

However, when her employer carried out checks on her first day at work, they discovered she did not have a driving licence.

Amanda, who lives in Standish, said: “I was shocked. I had my licence in front of me.”

She says she contacted the DVLA and was told someone had reported she was unfit to drive due to illness.

She was told the DVLA had written to her about it, but she claims she did not receive the letter as she had moved house.

Twelve weeks later, Amanda is still battling to get her licence back.

She says she has completed forms and sent information to the DVLA, but is still waiting to hear if she will get her driving licence back and when.

Amanda lost the job as she was not legally allowed to drive and has not been able to find alternative employment.

She said: “I haven’t been able to get another job. I can’t get out for an interview. We have a bus service here but I think they are once every hour.”

She is now facing financial problems due to being out of work and says she and her partner will need to start getting help from a food bank and fears her phone will be disconnected as she cannot pay the bill.

Amanda, who has previously worked as a bus driver and in administration, said: “I have got rent arrears, I’m stressed out.”

Amanda is urging the DVLA to return her driving licence as soon as possible.

However, while declining to speak on individual cases, a spokesperson for the DVLA said the agency had done nothing wrong.

He said: “All drivers must ensure that they are medically fit to drive and notify DVLA of the onset or worsening of a medical condition affecting this.

“Where we are notified of a medical condition that may affect driving, we will investigate and take the necessary action.

“This includes writing to the driver, which is why it is so important that drivers let us know when they change address.

“As part of our investigation we may require further information from the medical professionals involved in the care and treatment of the condition and are often wholly reliant on receiving this information before a licensing decision can be made.

“We may also need to refer the driver for further medical assessment.

“We then make an evidence-based decision on whether the driver meets the medical standards for fitness to drive, before a licensing decision is made.”