Humanitarian program, depression, driver's license, and work permit revocation, and then humanitarian aid???
HOW IS THIS CONNECTED???
A client came to me with the following problem: his work permit was revoked after he continued driving with a revoked license in British Columbia.
The reason for the license revocation was severe, diagnosed depression. The doctor, following mandatory reporting requirements, forwarded the report to Road Safety BC. The provincial regulator found the client temporarily unfit to drive and sent a written notice of license revocation. However, he continued driving, which resulted in a fine and a charge carrying a prison sentence of up to six months.
This subsequently became one of the grounds for denying his work permit renewal because the applicant did not disclose the charge; he thought of it as unimportant.
The family is currently pending a humanitarian exception, where clinical depression was a key factor in the application.
This story clearly demonstrates how depression, in various countries, is becoming a factor that can lead to the suspension or revocation of a driver's license. In some countries, depression is considered a direct contraindication.
For example, in Russia, severe depressive episodes have been officially included in the list of medical restrictions for driving since September 2023: if a diagnosis is confirmed, the driver is referred for additional testing, after which the commission may revoke or not renew the license. In Spain, the situation is similar: moderate to severe depression is included in the list of conditions that limit access to driving.
Most other countries follow a different model—the so-called fitness to drive.
In the UK (DVLA), Germany (FEV), the Netherlands, Australia, and Canada, a diagnosis of depression is not formally considered an automatic basis for license revocation. However, if the illness is accompanied by suicidal ideation, severe retardation, impaired concentration, or other cognitive impairment, the licensing authority may temporarily revoke the license, suspend it, or require a medical examination until the condition stabilizes.
The experience of these countries shows that the higher the risk of impaired driving ability, the more likely it is to restrict the license, even in the absence of a universal ban.
The overall conclusion is simple: mental health is increasingly becoming a focus of scrutiny and is not only grounds for applying for a humanitarian exception to obtain a PR, but can also lead to the revocation of a driver's license for the safety of you and others. Those filing humanitarian applications should understand that medical documentation confirming severe depression can also serve as grounds for significant restrictions, from driving to immigration consequences. It is impossible to "cheat the system": the evidence base works both ways.
Oleksandra Melnykova, Immigration and Refugee Consultant in Canada
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