Dad spent £14,000 on new car and 'hasn't been able to drive it once'

Anthony Sinnott said he hasn't had a licence since Christmas last year
-Credit: (Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)


A Liverpool dad claims he's been robbed of his independence after the DVLA told him it won’t renew his driving license. Anthony Sinnott, from Allerton, has been driving for 44 years and spent just under two decades driving for a living having been employed by social services.

The 61-year-old was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013 and after declaring the condition to the DVLA - as is required by law - he was told he would have to renew his licence every 10 years. He sent his renewal application off last December, but since then he claims the goalposts "keep getting moved" in order for him to be issued with a new licence.

The dad-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.

READ MORE: Man found one thing more important to him than vodka and cocaine

READ MORE: Mums asked to come forward after remains of hundreds of children found

“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.”

As a result of his diabetes, Anthony wears special footwear to help him deal with his peripheral neuropathy when driving and his cars, including his latest purchase, have been specially adapted to aid him.

Anthony Sinnott explained how he struggled to see his friends without his licence and it impacts his mental health
Anthony Sinnott explained how he struggled to see his friends without his licence and it impacts his mental health -Credit:Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo

The retired care assistant said: “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 claims he had his annual diabetic eye screening and a Specsavers eye test this year - both of which he passed. He also said the DVLA’s medical team have questioned him about epilepsy, a condition he doesn’t have.

Anthony Sinnott previously drove for a living
Anthony Sinnott previously drove for a living -Credit:Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo

The Scouser said the counterpart of his driving license covers him for another nine years until he is 70. The ECHO put forward these claims to the DVLA to which said it could not comment on the specifics of the case but confirmed it had been in regular correspondence with Anthony.

A spokesperson added: “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.”