Trending: British Resident's Driving Licence Cancelled Due To Low Body Weight

Joe Rogers, 34, from Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear County, England, had his driving license revoked by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) due to his extremely thin physique. Joe was formally diagnosed with anorexia at the age of 13, an eating disorder characterised by an obsession with weight and food consumption. He spent eight years battling his weight, dropping to just five-and-a-half stone at his lowest. Speaking to Mirror, Joe revealed that his anorexia severely impacted his social life and caused him to miss significant life events such as prom. He struggled with his condition until coming out as gay at 21, which marked a turning point for him.

The first signs of Joe’s eating disorder were noticed by his mother, Julie, who observed changes in his eating habits. Joe’s reluctance to eat at McDonald’s and his continued avoidance of meals at home raised concerns. He began skipping meals, pretending to eat and wearing baggy clothes to conceal his weight loss. Concerned, his mother took him to a General Practitioner (GP) for a medical evaluation, resulting in a diagnosis of anorexia. Throughout his teenage years, Joe’s frequent visits to the doctor disrupted his education.

Joe claims that his driving license was revoked by the DVLA due to his weight, with strict instructions to improve his health before being eligible to regain his license. “My driving license was revoked due to being unfit to drive. At the time, this was due to my physical health as a result of my eating disorder. As my weight was so low at this point in my illness, it affected my heart, concentration and reaction times,” he explained. Consequently, his license was suspended for approximately eight months. Once he regained sufficient health to drive, the DVLA reinstated his license. Joe now maintains a positive relationship with food and exercise and is pursuing a psychology degree at the Open University.

Joe’s journey highlights the challenges individuals with eating disorders face and underscores the importance of mental and physical well-being in activities such as driving.