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A 65-year-old man had his driver’s licence suspended in May 2014 after hospital staff reported to the Ministry of Transportation that he had suffered a fall that knocked him unconscious. After this incident, the man provided the Ministry with letters from three different doctors confirming he was in good health, but two months later, his licence was still suspended.

A 65-year-old man had his driver’s licence suspended in May 2014 after hospital staff reported to the Ministry of Transportation that he had suffered a fall that knocked him unconscious. After this incident, the man provided the Ministry with letters from three different doctors confirming he was in good health, but two months later, his licence was still suspended, even though the Ministry was required to review the file within 30 business days. Every time he tried to call the Ministry, he was faced with an automated telephone system, which told him that his medical reports had been received and would be reviewed in the requisite 30 days, after which it would take six months to reinstate his licence.

The man contacted our Office because he was frustrated with not being able to speak to a real person and determine the status of his licence. During the suspension, it was taking him more than two hours and five buses to get to work every morning. After Ombudsman staff made inquiries with the Ministry, it reviewed the man’s file – and less than a week later, his licence was reinstated.