The DVLA has strict rules that drivers with high blood pressure need to know
Drivers with a common heart disorder could risk be hit with a £1,000 fine each time they get behind the wheel. High blood pressure affects roughly 16 million adults across the UK – approximately one in three – making it extremely common across the country.
For most everyday drivers, having this condition on their medical records won’t usually affect their capacity to drive safely. However, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has strict rules about the dangers posed by certain health conditions, including high blood pressure.
Those who fail to notify the DVLA of any significant health risks – including severe high blood pressure – could be slapped with a hefty fine. Should you be involved in a collision and it comes out that you have hidden a disqualifying medical condition, you could also face criminal prosecution, reports the Express.
The DVLA website said: “You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.”
I suffer from high blood pressure, do I need to do anything?
In most cases, drivers with high blood pressure can continue driving normally. It’s only when blood pressure reaches a specific threshold that driving becomes dangerous to both the motorist and the general public.
The DVLA applies the same set of rules regardless of vehicle type. For instance, car and motorcycle drivers typically “do not need to tell DVLA if [they] have high blood pressure”.
The website said: “You must stop driving if a doctor says you have malignant hypertension (a sudden rise in your blood pressure, also known as accelerated hypertension). You can drive again when a doctor confirms that your condition is well controlled.”
In the UK, the threshold for malignant hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher. To put this into perspective, a normal healthy adult reading should be 120/80 or below.
For professional drivers of buses, coaches, or lorries, the rules are the same. The DVLA confirmed: “You can drive again when a doctor confirms that your condition is well controlled.”
Taking antihypertensive medication, such as ramipril or amlodipine, should help keep the condition under control. Doctors will often suggest major lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise and removing high-risk foods from your diet.
There is no requirement to inform the DVLA if you suffer from low blood pressure (with consistent readings of 90/60 or lower). You only need to notify the DVLA if your health condition impacts your ability to drive, causing issues such as dizziness or fainting.
The DVLA has a full A-Z list on its website of health conditions that could carry the same £1,000 fine risk. Use the free tool to check if there are any specific medical conditions that the driving authority needs to know about.