Dante law firm note on driving license

 

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Discovery of cerebral meningioma and driving a land engine vehicle.

L’Arrêté du 28 mars 2022, publié au journal officiel du 3 avril 2022, fixe la liste des affections médicales incompatibles ou compatibles avec ou sans aménagements ou restrictions, pour l’obtention, le renouvellement ou le maintien du permis de conduire, ou pouvant donner lieu à la délivrance de permis de conduire de durée de validité limitée.

Ce texte rappelle en son article 1^er que « la conduite d’un véhicule terrestre à moteur requiert une aptitude physique, cognitive et sensorielle ».

Il est précisé que c’est au conducteur d’apprécier sa capacité à conduire « au regard de ses affections médicales, de son état de fatigue et de vigilance, de sa capacité de mobilité, de la prise de médicaments ou de substances psychoactives (…) » de sorte qu’un conducteur atteint de certaines affections médicales sera soumis à un contrôle médical par un médecin agrée.

The decree aroused provides us with the list of said conditions, which effectively concerns the evolving acquired brain lesions (including tumors):

Ainsi, à la lecture de cette annexe, il n’existerait aucune distinction entre les tumeurs dites « bégnines » en raison de leur caractère non cancéreux et les tumeurs atypiques ou malines de sorte qu’en cas de diagnostic de méningiome, il est impératif d’envisager immédiatement avec le neurochirurgien ou le chirurgien la question du permis de conduire.

Indeed, such as this text is designed, it is not provided for a difference in treatment between people with symptomatic, asymptomatic, operated or not operated meningiom.

However, this lack of clarification does not benefit the patient who remains responsible for civilly and criminally in the event of a traffic accident.

 

Cependant, si nous considérons la notion de « Lésions cérébrales acquises évolutives » dans le sens médical du terme, nous pouvons légitimement considérer qu’un méningiome asymptomatique acquis, mais non évolutif n’entre pas dans le champ du présent décret.

However, only your doctor's opinion and prescribed controls will confirm this hypothesis.

 This is why we advise you, in any case, to discuss with the doctor in charge of your medical follow -up. 

NB: All these steps are also present on the website of the Ministry of the Interior[1] :

 

First step

Meningioma meningioma diagnosis

Lors de la confirmation de la pathologie, et malgré la difficulté émotionnelle, il est impératif de solliciter rapidement l’avis de son médecin sur la question du permis de conduire.

As previously indicated, it is likely that asymptomatic and non -evolutionary meningiomas are not affected by this decree.

However, during the diagnosis of meningioma, you will not be able to confirm whether your lesion evolves or not.

This is why, we advise you to question your doctor as quickly as possible about your state of health, your ability to drive and to request a written response on this point.

Likewise, you remain in control of the evaluation of your capacities, so that it is necessary to be extremely vigilant and alert on the different symptoms that you may feel and which could be linked to your meningioma.

As such, and for any information, see the list provided for by the decree of March 28, 2022 and which takes up the different pathologies possibly incompatible with driving (altered attention capacity, ophthalmic symptoms, ENT, epilepsy etc.)

In any event, your doctor's opinion is essential on this point.

 

It is the same for the post-exerees period of your meningioma:

• En l’absence de séquelle post-opératoire: c’est au médecin en charge de votre suivi de déterminer une période de surveillance et de repos, durant laquelle nous vous déconseillons fortement de conduire. Une fois votre état de santé stabilisé, et en l’absence de toute séquelle post-opératoire, vous pourrez demander confirmation à votre médecin pour la reprise de la conduite.
• En cas de séquelles post-opératoire: Il convient d’évoquer le plus rapidement la question de la conduite avec vos médecins et de suivre les différentes étapes de la présente note.

 

In summary:

• Hypothesis n ° 1: Your doctor confirms that your meningioma is asymptomatic and that it seems/is not likely to evolve.

And/or, after the operation, your doctor confirms that your state of health is stabilized and that you have no sequelae of your operation.

A writing remains essential and we strongly advise you to carry out all the prescribed examinations which will confirm the non-evolutivity of your lesions.

Likewise stay alert on your symptoms, contact your doctor in case of doubt or change in your state of health, and stop driving if you are not reassured on your capacities.

• Hypothesis n ° 2: Your doctor confirms that the examinations carried out show an evolution of your lesions, but you do not have a symptom or alteration of your capacities.

Immediately request your doctor about driving, so that he can correctly inform you of the risks.

By prevention, we advise you to stop driving and follow the different steps explained below.

If you stop driving and want to start these procedures, ask your doctor for his written agreement for the appointment with an authorized doctor.

Do not end up any appointment with an approved doctor before a written agreement from your doctor (neurosurgeon, neurologist).

• Hypothesis n ° 3: Your lesions are non -evolutionary/scalable and you have symptoms listed in by the decree or likely to alter your capacities.

And/or you have post-operative sequelae.

As soon as the symptom appearance or suspicion, we strongly advise you to stop driving and use aid for your trips (carpooling, public transport, taxi, VTC etc.)

Make an appointment immediately with your doctor to tackle the subject of the driving license.

It is very important that the latter can correctly assess your state of health, inform you, evoke with you the risks, but especially that it gives his written agreement for making appointments with an approved doctor.

This written agreement is compulsory for the continuation of the procedure.

 

Do not end up any appointment with an approved doctor before a written agreement from your doctor (neurosurgeon, neurologist).

 

 

Second step

Making appointments with an approved doctor

The approved doctor is a general practitioner or specialist who is registered with the administration to make medical visits, and thus give his opinion on your vehicle driving skills.

Please note: it cannot be your doctor, or a doctor in charge of your medical follow -up.

 The approved doctor is registered on a departmental list, approved by the prefect.

In order to know the registered doctors:

• Hors Paris: rapprochez-vous de la préfecture de votre département, éventuellement de la sous-préfecture voire votre mairie afin de disposer de la liste.
• Paris : Rapprochez-vous de la Préfecture de Police de Paris – Bureau des permis de conduire.

Then contact the approved doctor chosen for making an appointment and prepare your file in parallel.

 

Third step

The constitution of the file

In order to ensure that your steps are realized as quickly as possible, we advise you to build your file while waiting for the appointment.

Here is the list of documents to provide on the day of the medical examination (you will find said documents in the appendix to this note):

• Fill the cerfa n ° 14880. If necessary, you will immediately find after the form the explanatory notice which can help you to complete the cerfa.
• Complete the questionnaire relating to your state of health.

If in doubt, do not answer the problematic questions that you can approach with your doctors, or even with the approved doctor as a last resort.

• Prepare your identity papers (identity card or passport), but also the original of your driving license.
• Possibly, the latest reports of consultations with your neurosurgeon, neurologist or any other healthcare professional in charge of monitoring your meningiomas and its effects (ophthalmologist, orthoptist etc.). Bring your glasses if necessary.

The more the approved doctor will be informed of your medical situation, the more it will be able to decide as precisely as possible on your driving skills.

 

Fourth step

Medical control

On the day of the medical examination, the doctor will perform several tests to test your physical, cognitive and sensory skills.

He will also take note of your file. It is imperative that the latter is as complete as possible.

The doctor can also:

• Prescribe additional examinations
• Prescribe a psychotechnical exam to a declared psychologist with the prefect
• Request the advice of specialized health professionals
• Request a driving test
• Request your exam by a medical committee

If this is the case, the approved doctor will tell you the different steps to be carried out to carry out these tests.

You will also have the possibility, if necessary to get closer to your prefecture or the police prefecture for Parisians again.

Please note: also remember to take a payment method, as the medical examination is your responsibility.

 Health insurance will not cover the travel costs or the cost of the visit and any prescribed tests.

To date, the price of the medical examination is 36 euros. The average price of a psychotechnical examination (not systematic) is around 100 euros.

 However, medical control is free for a disabled person whose recognized disability rate is equal to or greater than 50% by the Departmental Commission for Autonomy of Persons with Disabilities within the MDPH and not by the compulsory regime.

In the event that you wish to initiate a procedure in compensation for your damages linked to the consumption of progestin and the development of meningioma, we strongly advise you to maintain invoices relating to medical control for your driving license.

These invoices may be compensated for various costs attributable to your meningiomas.

 

Fifth step

The result

Si votre permis de conduire initiale est toujours en cours de validité, la conclusion vous sera donnée par le médecin agréé.

Si votre permis de conduire est expiré, vous recevrez l’avis du médecin agréé par courrier, et non lors du contrôle médical. Dans ce cas de figure (et uniquement si le permis de conduire initial n’est plus valide) le préfet doit examiner le dossier et rendre un avis. S’il dispose de l’avis médical du médecin agréé, il n’est pas tenu par ce dernier et peut rendre un avis complémentaire ou contraire.

In the meantime, do not resume driving at the risk of engaging your civil and criminal liability in the event of an accident.

 

The table below concerns valid driving licenses:

(As indicated above, if that is not the case, the prefect will also have to rule)

Aptitude notice	Temporary ability	Ability with restriction	UNFIT
Your state of health is compatible with driving.   You will be given a medical opinion that should be kept with you, alongside your driving license.   This medical opinion has a validity of two years.   For a renewal, the request must be made on the site of the National Agency for Security Titles.	The doctor believes that you are suitable for driving, but with limited duration between 6 months and 5 years.   This scenario thus allows more or less long -term approved of the doctor for your driving capacities.   Control visits will probably be scheduled.	The doctor believes that you are suitable for driving, but prescribes the necessary development and/or equipment.   You must imperatively set up these restrictions.	Your state of health is incompatible with driving.

 

Possible appeal

In the event of temporary aptitude, aptitude with restriction or incapacity, you can present observations to the prefect within a certain period (indicated in the mail) and a final notice will then be sent to you.

If you wish to contest the final opinion of the prefect, you can always appeal to the medial appeal committee.

This commission will proceed as the doctor approved to a medical control and will send a new opinion to the prefect.

In the event that the prefect again issues a decision that you dispute, you can last seize the administrative judge.

Otherwise, you can carry out the minimum medical check -up procedures 6 months after the prefect's final opinion.

In these three cases, and even in the event of appeal, please comply with the prefect's decision under penalty of engaging your civil and criminal responsibility.

 

Alternatives to driving

We can easily understand how the loss of your autonomy for driving can be disabling on a daily basis.

However, for your safety and that of others, it is imperative to stop driving if your state of health does not allow it and to follow the recommendations of the approved doctor and your own doctors.

Many alternatives exist:

• Public transport;
• Carpooling (non-exhaustive list):
  • TICTACTRIP: https://www.tictactrip.eu/company/carpooling/idvroom
  • com: https://www.laroueverte.com/
  • com/carpooling
  • FR/Carpooling
  • com: http://roulezmalin.com/
  • fr: https://www.myecocar.fr/
  • fr: https://www.freecovoiturage.fr/
• Specialized services and on -demand transport.

Some departments and municipalities offer transport solutions adapted to people in difficulty for proximity trips.

These alternatives are mainly individual taxis on request, collective taxis, shuttles to central points (markets, supermarkets, etc.)

Please note, the price and eligibility criteria vary according to the organizations.

To find out if your department or municipality offers these services, we advise you to get closer to the Communal Center for Social Action (CCAS) or the town hall of your municipality.

 

People who do not have the license and wishing to pass it

The only peculiarity for people who do not yet have the driving license is that the prefect must give his opinion following the medical advice and can oppose the registration for the driving license exam.

 

Conclusions

If it is certain that the decree of March 28, 2022, published in the Official Journal of April 3, 2022 does not specify the tumors concerned by this procedure, it is imperative to follow the above instructions after the diagnosis of your meningioma, symptomatic or asymptomatic, operated or not operated.

Indeed, in the event of a traffic accident, and without medical advice from the approved doctor approved by the prefect, you may engage your civil and criminal liability and the non -management of damage by your insurance.

Thus, if you are affected by a tumor, we advise you to immediately attach to the health professional who follows you for your pathology and to evoke this subject in order to obtain a writing relating the problem.

Likewise, in the event of symptomatic meningioma, we very strongly encourage you to consult the list of pathologies taken up by the decree of March 28, 2022, since many ophthalmic, ENT, neurological disorders etc. are concerned.

If in doubt, take a home immediately with a doctor.

Enfin, l’équipe du Cabinet DANTE et l’Association AMAVEA reste naturellement à votre écoute pour répondre à vos questions et vos aider dans la réalisation de vos démarches au 01.43.22 .44.53 ou par courriel à contact@dante-avocats.fr ou contact@amavea.org.

Charles Joseph-Oudin Court lawyer

 

[1] https://www.demarches.nineur.gouv.fr/particuliers/permis-visite-medicale-raisons-sante#:~:Text=vous%20Devez%20Passer%20UNE%20visite,v%C3%A9HICLE%20am%C3%A9nag%C3%A9%A9%A20pour%20HANDAP)