Motorists are being warned they could face a fine of up to £1,000
Drivers are being cautioned that they could face fines of up to £1,000 if they don’t notify the DVLA about specific medical conditions. According to official regulations, motorists must inform the DVLA about health problems that could impact their ability to drive safely.
Those who fail to do so could be hit with a penalty of up to £1,000 – and potentially invalidate their insurance. The Government warns: “You need to tell DVLA about some medical conditions as they can affect your driving.”
It continues: “You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving.”
When you must surrender your licence
In certain situations, drivers are expected to voluntarily hand in their licence.
You might need to do this if:
- Your doctor advises you to stop driving for three months or longer.
- Your medical condition impacts your ability to drive safely and persists for three months or more.
- You fail to meet the required standards for driving due to your medical condition.
Motorists must notify the DVLA and return their licence if they choose to surrender it.
If you don’t voluntarily give up your licence but have a condition affecting your driving, you’re still legally obliged to inform the DVLA. The agency will then determine whether you can retain your licence.
Checking if you need to report a condition
Car and motorcycle licence holders can:
- Use the online service on GOV.UK to check if their condition needs to be reported
- Search the A to Z list of conditions here.
- Bus, lorry and coach drivers cannot use the online checker. They must consult the A to Z list and complete the relevant paper form.
If a condition is not listed, drivers are told to contact the DVLA directly.
A–Z: key conditions that must be declared
Below is a broad overview of medical conditions listed by the DVLA that may need to be reported. In many cases, further guidance determines whether you must notify the agency.
Neurological conditions
These include:
- Epilepsy and seizures (including petit mal, grand mal and tonic clonic fits)
- Blackouts and fainting
- Stroke and transient ischaemic attacks (mini-strokes)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Motor neurone disease
- Brain tumours, aneurysms and haemorrhages
- Narcolepsy
Heart and cardiovascular problems
Drivers may need to report:
- Heart attacks
- Angina
- Arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Pacemakers and defibrillators
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- High blood pressure in certain circumstances
Mental health conditions
Conditions that can require disclosure include:
- Severe depression
- Bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression)
- Schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder
- Psychosis
- Personality disorders
- Anxiety disorders in some cases
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Diabetes and other long-term illnesses
These include:
- Diabetes (particularly where insulin is used)
- Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
- Severe visual impairment, including glaucoma and tunnel vision
- Sleep apnoea and excessive sleepiness
- Huntington’s disease
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Visual disorders
A range of eye conditions must also be declared, including:
- Double vision (diplopia)
- Monocular vision (sight in one eye only)
- Visual field defects
- Cataracts and glaucoma in certain cases
- Night blindness
Failing to disclose a relevant medical condition can result not only in a £1,000 fine, but also prosecution if you are involved in an accident and it emerges that the DVLA was not informed.
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