http://dvla%20medical%20condition%20-%20old%20age%20driver

The DVLA maintains information about individuals’ medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive safely. The DVLA has a requirement that if you hold a driving license and you develop a medical condition, or a condition you had when you got your license gets worse, then you must inform them of the situation. At this point they will assess if you are able to continue driving on the roads safely.

If you fail to inform the DVLA about a medical condition that can affect your driving you can be fined up to £1000 and potentially prosecuted if you cause an accident.

Why does the DVLA do medical checks?

Whilst it is important we make sure that people with medical conditions are able to live a full and independent life, road safety takes priority. Unfortunately some medical conditions could seriously inhibit your ability to drive and you could present a danger to yourself and others.

Making sure that the DVLA is kept up to date on any medical conditions that can affect your driving is absolutely crucial for road safety. It allows the DVLA to minimize any potential risks associated with medical conditions among drivers.

dvla medical conditions - doctor

DVLA Medical Conditions List

There is quite a few conditions that can affect your ability to drive. These are known as “notifiable conditions” and if you suffer from any of them you will need to inform the DVLA

Medical ConditionInstruction
Absence seizuresYou must inform the DVLA if you’ve experienced absence seizures.
Acoustic neuromaNotify the DVLA if you encounter sudden and debilitating dizziness.
ADHDReport to the DVLA if your attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or its medication affects your driving safety.
AgoraphobiaInform the DVLA if agoraphobia impacts your driving ability. Ask your doctor if unsure about its effect on your driving.
AIDSNotify the DVLA if you have AIDS.
Alcohol problemsYou must notify the DVLA if you have an issue with alcohol.
Alzheimer’s diseaseYou must inform the DVLA if you have Alzheimer’s disease.
Amaurosis fugaxCease driving for at least one month following a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke, including amaurosis fugax or retinal artery fugax. Resume driving only upon clearance from your doctor.
AmputationsYou must inform the DVLA if you’ve undergone limb amputation.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)You must tell the DVLA if you have motor neurone disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Angiomas or cavernomasNotify the DVLA if you have angiomas or cavernomas.
Ankylosing spondylitisYou must inform the DVLA if ankylosing spondylitis affects your driving safety.
AnxietyReport to the DVLA if anxiety affects your ability to drive safely.
Aortic aneurysmInform the DVLA if your aortic aneurysm is 6 centimeters or more in diameter despite treatment. Do not drive if it’s 6.5 centimeters or more in diameter. Seek guidance from your doctor or consultant if unsure.
Arachnoid cystYou must inform the DVLA if you have an arachnoid cyst.
ArrhythmiaInform the DVLA about your arrhythmia if you have distracting or disabling symptoms or if it might affect your ability to safely stop or control a vehicle. Consult your doctor for any questions about the impact of arrhythmia on your driving.
Arteriovenous malformationNotify the DVLA if you have an arteriovenous malformation.
ArthritisIf you use special controls for driving, complete form G1 and send it to DVLA. Consult your doctor if uncertain about arthritis affecting your driving.
Asperger syndromeYou must inform the DVLA if your Asperger syndrome, impacts your ability to drive safely.
AtaxiaYou must inform the DVLA if you have ataxia, including Friedrich’s ataxia.
Bipolar disorder (manic depression)Inform the DVLA if you have bipolar disorder.
BlackoutsYou must tell the DVLA if your condition affects your driving. Complete form FEP1 and send it to DVLA if needed.
Blood clotsInform the DVLA if you have a blood clot in the brain.
Blood pressureConsult your doctor if you’re unsure whether your blood pressure treatment will affect your driving. Notify DVLA if your treatment results in side effects that could impact your driving.
Brachial plexus injuryYou must tell the DVLA if you have a brachial plexus injury.
Brain abscess, cyst or encephalitisNotify the DVLA if you have a brain abscess, cyst, or encephalitis.
Brain aneurysmInform the DVLA if you have a brain aneurysm.
Brain haemorrhageYou must inform the DVLA if you have a brain haemorrhage.
Brain tumourNotify the DVLA if you have a brain tumour. Surrender your license if advised by your doctor.
Broken limbsYou must tell DVLA if you’ll be unable to drive for more than 3 months due to a broken limb. Consult your doctor if uncertain about the duration.
Brugada syndromeInform the DVLA if you have Brugada syndrome.
Burr hole surgeryNotify the DVLA if you’ve undergone burr hole surgery to remove a clot from around your brain.
CancerYou only need to report your cancer tot he DVLA if it causes specific problems listed on the governments website
CataplexyYou must inform the DVLA if you experience cataplexy.
CataractsNotify DVLA about your eye condition if it affects both eyes. If you have sight in only one eye, inform DVLA if a condition affects that eye.
Central venous thrombosisInform DVLA if you still have problems one month after a central venous thrombosis.
Cerebral palsyYou must tell DVLA if you have cerebral palsy.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)Notify DVLA if you have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Cognitive problemsYou must inform DVLA if you have cognitive problems.
Congenital heart diseaseInform DVLA if you have congenital heart disease with symptoms affecting safe driving (e.g., angina, palpitations, shortness of breath, or symptoms related to uncontrolled hypertension, heart failure, or heart valve disease).
DefibrillatorsNotify DVLA if you have an implanted defibrillator, also known as an ‘ICD’ (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator).
Déjà vuInform DVLA if you have seizures or epilepsy causing déjà vu.
DementiaYou must inform DVLA if you have dementia.
DepressionReport to DVLA if your depression affects your ability to drive safely.
DiabetesNotify DVLA if your insulin treatment lasts (or will last) over 3 months, you had gestational diabetes with insulin treatment lasting over 3 months after childbirth, or you experience disabling hypoglycemia or are at risk of developing it, as stated by a medical professional.
Diplopia (double vision)Inform DVLA if you have diplopia (double vision).
Dizziness or vertigoNotify DVLA if you experience sudden, disabling, or recurrent dizziness.
Drug useYou must tell DVLA if you’ve used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs.
Eating disorderInform DVLA if you have an eating disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa) impacting your ability to drive safely. Consult your doctor for clarity on its effect on driving.
Empyema (brain)You must tell DVLA if you have a brain empyema.
Essential tremorInform DVLA if your essential tremor affects your ability to drive safely.
Excessive sleepinessNotify DVLA about your eye condition if it affects both eyes. Check the government’s website for the list of eye conditions that must be declared to DVLA. Inform DVLA if you have a condition affecting your one functional eye.
Eye conditionsYou must inform DVLA if you have Guillain Barré syndrome.
Fits, seizures or convulsionsYou must tell DVLA if you have fits, seizures, or convulsions.
Guillain Barré syndromeInform DVLA if you have a serious head injury.
Head injuryYou don’t need to inform DVLA if you’ve had a heart attack or a heart, cardiac, or coronary angioplasty. Cease driving for specified durations as advised by your doctor based on the procedure outcome.
Heart attacksNotify DVLA about your heart failure if symptoms affect your driving safety, distract you while driving, or occur ‘at rest’.
Heart failureInform DVLA if you regularly experience heart palpitations.
Heart palpitationsYou must tell DVLA if you have hemianopia (hemianopsia).
HemianopiaYou must inform DVLA if you have Hodgkin’s lymphoma and it relates to specific criteria mentioned.
Hodgkin’s lymphomaYou must tell DVLA if you have Huntington’s disease and it causes any symptoms.
Huntington’s diseaseYou must tell DVLA if you have hydrocephalus with symptoms.
HydrocephalusInform DVLA if you have hypoglycaemia.
HypoglycaemiaNotify DVLA about your hypoxic brain damage.
Hypoxic brain damageYou must tell DVLA if you’re still having problems one month after an intracerebral haemorrhage.
Intracerebral haemorrhageYou must inform DVLA if you have Korsakoff’s syndrome.
Korsakoff’s syndromeNotify DVLA if you have labyrinthitis symptoms for 3 months or more.
LabyrinthitisYou must tell DVLA if you have a learning disability.
Learning disabilitiesInform DVLA if you have Lewy body dementia.
Lewy body dementiaYou must tell DVLA if you have a limb disability.
Limb disabilityYou must inform DVLA if you have Long QT syndrome.
Long QT syndromeNotify DVLA if you have lung cancer and specific criteria apply.
Lung cancerYou must tell DVLA about your lymphoma if specific criteria are met.
LymphomaYou must tell DVLA if you have Marfan’s syndrome.
Marfan’s syndromeInform DVLA if you have a medulloblastoma.
MedulloblastomaNotify DVLA if you have meningioma and it affects your driving. Consult your doctor if uncertain.
MeningiomaYou must tell DVLA if you have motor neurone disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Motor neurone diseaseInform DVLA if you have muscular dystrophy.
Muscular dystrophyNotify DVLA if you have myasthenia gravis.
Myasthenia gravisInform DVLA if you have myoclonus.
MyoclonusYou must tell DVLA if you have narcolepsy.
NarcolepsyNotify DVLA if you have night blindness.
Night blindnessInform DVLA if your obsessive compulsive disorder affects your driving.
Obsessive compulsive disorderInform DVLA if you have specific sleep disorders as detailed, including confirmed moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), narcolepsy, cataplexy, or any other sleep condition causing excessive sleepiness for at least 3 months.
Optic atrophyYou must tell DVLA if you have optic atrophy.
PacemakersInform DVLA if you have been fitted with a pacemaker.
Paranoid schizophreniaYou must tell DVLA if you have paranoid schizophrenia.
ParaplegiaYou must tell DVLA if you are paraplegic.
Parkinson’s diseaseYou must tell DVLA if you have Parkinson’s disease.
Peripheral neuropathyInform DVLA if you have peripheral neuropathy.
Personality disorderInform DVLA if you have a personality disorder impacting your driving.
Pituitary tumourYou must tell DVLA if you have a pituitary tumour.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Consult your doctor if unsure if post traumatic stress disorder affects your driving.
PsychosisYou must tell DVLA if you experience psychosis.
Psychotic depressionInform DVLA if you have psychotic depression.
Pulmonary arterial hypertensionNotify DVLA if you have pulmonary arterial hypertension and receive treatment from an NHS specialist center.
Reduced visual acuityYou must tell DVLA if you have reduced visual acuity.
Schizo-affective disorderInform DVLA if you have a schizo-affective disorder.
SchizophreniaYou must tell DVLA if you have schizophrenia.
ScotomaInform DVLA if you have scotoma.
Seizures/epilepsyInform DVLA if you have seizures or epilepsy causing déjà vu. Consult your doctor if uncertain about the relationship to seizures or epilepsy.
Severe communication disordersYou must tell DVLA if your severe communication disorder affects your ability to drive safely.
Severe memory problemsInform DVLA if you have severe memory problems.
Sleep apnoeaNotify DVLA if you have specific sleep disorders, including confirmed moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), narcolepsy, cataplexy, or any other sleep condition causing excessive sleepiness for at least three months. Do not drive until symptoms are under control and you’re following necessary treatment.
Spinal conditions, injuries, or spinal surgeryInform DVLA if you have a spinal condition or have had an injury to your spine.
StrokeInform DVLA if you have had a stroke and specific criteria apply. Refer to the leaflet ‘Car or motorcycle drivers who have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)’ for guidance.
Subarachnoid haemorrhageYou must tell DVLA if you have suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
SurgeryYou must tell DVLA if you’ve had surgery and are still unable to drive 3 months later, including a caesarean section.
SyncopeIf you experience blackouts, fainting (syncope), or loss of consciousness while driving, you must inform DVLA.
TachycardiaNotify DVLA if you have tachycardia.
Tourette’s syndromeInform DVLA if your Tourette’s syndrome affects your ability to drive safely.
Traumatic brain injuryInform the DVLA if you have a traumatic brain injury.
Tunnel visionYou must tell DVLA if you have tunnel vision.
Usher syndromeInform DVLA if you have Usher syndrome.
VertigoIf you experience sudden, disabling, or recurrent dizziness, you must inform DVLA.
Visual field defectNotify DVLA if you have a visual field defect.
VP shuntsInform DVLA if you’ve had a VP shunt fitted.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndromeYou must tell DVLA if you have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

How does a DVLA medical work?

  1. Doctor’s Visit: It often starts with a visit to your regular healthcare provider or GP (General Practitioner). If you have a medical condition that may affect your ability to drive safely, your GP may become aware of it during your routine healthcare visits.
  2. Assessment: If your GP identifies a condition that needs to be reported to the DVLA, they will discuss it with you and provide guidance on the appropriate steps to take. This may include specific forms to fill out or further medical assessments.
  3. Medical Examination: In some cases, the DVLA may require you to undergo a more thorough medical examination or assessment conducted by a DVLA-appointed medical professional. This could be a DVLA-appointed doctor, consultant, or specialist.
  4. Completing DVLA Forms: You may need to complete specific DVLA forms related to your medical condition. These forms are used to provide details about your condition and how it may affect your ability to drive safely. These forms can usually be obtained from the DVLA’s website or your GP.
  5. Submission: Once the required forms and assessments are completed, you will need to submit them to the DVLA for review. The address for submission is typically provided on the forms.
  6. DVLA Review: The DVLA will review the information you provide, including your medical assessment and any supporting documentation. They will assess whether you meet the medical standards for driving.
  7. DVLA Decision: Based on their assessment, the DVLA will make a decision regarding your fitness to drive. This decision can vary from allowing you to continue driving without restrictions to imposing certain conditions or revoking your driving license, depending on the severity of your medical condition and its impact on your ability to drive safely.

A DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) medical assessment typically involves a more comprehensive evaluation than a regular doctor’s visit. Here’s how the process usually works:

How long do DVLA medical enquiries take?

Typically it should take around 15 days before you receive your results, however this is not guaranteed. If the DVLA requires more information it can take 90 days before you have your results. In addition to this the blood test samples takes another week.

Can I drive while waiting for DVLA medical?

Typically yes you can continue to drive while waiting for the results of your DVLA Medical Assessment. However it is best to check you condition against the list above as with some conditions you are not allowed to drive whilst waiting for the results.

You really should use your own judgement too, because whilst it is difficult to lose the ability to drive, the safety of everybody on the road is of paramount importance. If you believe your medical condition will put yourself or other road users in danger then the safest thing is not to drive.

DVLA medical condition - blood pressure being checked during medical check for fitness to drive

What happens after the DVLA Medical?

There are a few potential outcomes that can happen after you have has your medical assessment, all of which are dependent on the results you receive:

  • You are deemed safe to drive – If the assessment determines that your condition does not affect your ability to drive then you can continue without restriction and retain your license.
  • You are deemed temporarily safe to drive – In this case the doctors believe that your condition does not presently affect your ability to drive. However they do believe there is a risk it will become an issue in the future. So you may be required to attend another medical in 1, 2 or 3 years time.
  • You can drive with an adapted vehicle – It may be that you can continue to drive but your condition means you need your vehicle to be adapted so you can overcome any problems that your condition presents. You will receive a license which states you can only drive an specially adapted vehicle.
  • You license is revoked or application is refused – Unfortunately in this case your condition means you present a danger to yourself and others if you are behind the wheel. This will only happen if your medical results determine that you do not meet the minimum standards of being fit to drive.

My license was revoked, can I get it back?

It is possible to regain your driving license if it has been revoked. However this requires that you have another medical assessment and meet the minimum standards required for being fit to drive. If you can pass that medical you will need to reapply for your license through the DVLA. You will also be required to provide evidence from the medical assessment that cleared you to drive again.

Do I need to tell my insurance about a medical condition?

Yes if you develop a medical condition which is affecting your ability to drive you will need to disclose it to your insurer. Not disclosing a medical condition to your insurer may lead to them refusing a claim after an accident or invalidate your insurance. Not being insured to drive can have serious consequences.

Reporting someone to DVLA for medical conditions

If you find yourself in a situation where you are concerned with someones driving due to a medical condition, and that it is dangerous for them to be on the road, you can report them to the DVLA anonymously.

Obviously if this is a loved one then it would be an incredibly sensitive subject to approach, and you should treat it with care. However as difficult as it is to be in this situation, it would be much worse if they were to hurt themselves, or others, if they stay on the road.

You should report someone to the DVLA for a medical condition if any of the following applies:

  • They are suffering from significant mobility problems that would impair them from operating the vehicle safely. For example not being able to check mirrors or use the handbrake.
  • They suffer from vision problems which affect their ability to properly survey the road and any hazards on it.
  • They are suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia or any other memory issues. This may affect their ability to deal with any hazards or could cause them to get lost and confused.
  • They are currently taking a medication that can affect their reaction times or cause them to be drowsy.

You can report them to the DVLA on the DVLA’s Drivers Medical page, and select “I have concerns over a person’s fitness to drive and I wish to tell the DVLA”. Don’t delay on this action if you believe someone presents a danger on the road.

Can I get my licence back if I have been reported unfit to drive?

If you have had your license revoked due to a medical condition it is possible to get it back. However this is dependent on your condition improving from where it was when the licence was revoked.

If your condition has improved then you should go to the doctor and do another medical check. If the doctor assesses that you are now fit to drive then you can reapply for your licence.

So in summary, when you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive you need to report it to the DVLA and your insurance. It can be a very upsetting thing to do but you need to remember that safety of everybody on the road needs to be the highest priority.

Recent Articles