Dad who spent £14k on new automotive ‘hasn’t been capable of drive it as soon as’ resulting from DVLA
A Liverpool father alleges that his independence has been stolen after the DVLA refused to renew his driving licence. Anthony Sinnot, an Allerton resident, has been behind the wheel for 44 years and spent nearly two decades as a professional driver for social services.
Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013, the 61-year-old dutifully reported his condition to the DVLA, as required by law. He was then informed that he would need to renew his licence every decade.
However, since sending off his renewal application last December, he claims the requirements for obtaining a new licence have continually shifted.
The father of two told the ECHO: “I bought a car in May and haven’t been able to drive it since. It’s a brand-new MG3. It was £14,000 from Arnold Clark. I haven’t driven it once because of all of this. My driving is for my independence really.
(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
“I go to the shop. I take my little Shih Tzu, Molly, to the park and I go see my friends. I don’t do any more than 20 miles a week, but it saves me getting on public transport because I’m disabled. They’ve robbed me of my independence. I like cars, I focus on them as it helps my mental health. The car takes me out and about and by the time I wait for a bus it takes me hours, for a usual 20-minute journey.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Due to his diabetes, Anthony uses special footwear to manage his peripheral neuropathy while driving, and his vehicles, including his latest acquisition, have been specially modified to assist him.
(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The retired care assistant explained: “My feet have been like this for 10 years and I’ve never had any problems. I’ve never had a crash because of them. My heart, my eyes and my diabetes – everything is fine. They just keep picking faults even though I have been given the all-clear by the doctor and everything has been finalised. My doctor sent a letter to say I’m fit and able to drive.”
Anthony insists he nailed his annual diabetic eye screening and also aced an eye test at Specsavers this year. On top of that, he mentions the DVLA’s medical squad grilled him about epilepsy, which he asserts he doesn’t suffer from.
He claims his driving licence’s counterpart is still good for another nine years, up until he hits the big seven-oh. The ECHO challenged the DVLA with these allegations, to which they replied that they couldn’t spill the beans on personal cases but did confirm they’ve been in regular blab sessions with Anthony.
A spokesperson chimed in saying: “When considering an application to issue a driving licence, DVLA aim to make a decision as quickly as possible. However, when we require additional information from a medical professional or from the driver themselves, we are wholly reliant on receiving this information before a decision can be made.”
