The DVLA is introducing four measures to improve driving licence renewals for motorists with medical conditions, as growing application numbers continue to cause delays.
Currently, the agency takes an average of 62.3 working days to make licensing decisions in medical cases during the 2026/27 financial year so far. This is equivalent to around three calendar months, potentially leaving some drivers facing uncertainty over their right to drive while waiting for a decision.
What are the four changes?
The four measures are intended to improve communication, modernise medical application processing and increase the resources available to deal with demand. However, drivers with medical conditions should allow plenty of time for renewal and respond promptly to any requests for additional information.
The changes being introduced by the DVLA include:
- Text message updates for drivers: The aim is to improve communication and help applicants stay informed about the progress of their medical licence applications.
- A new casework system: The DVLA expects the system to help streamline the process and deliver a better service for drivers with medical conditions.
- A new digital medical services portal: Recent improvements have also been made to services for provisional licence applicants and motorists renewing their licences at age 70 or over.
- Additional staff to tackle the backlog: The additional resources are intended to ease pressure on the service, reduce waiting times and improve the speed at which licensing decisions are made.
Impact on drivers
Drivers who hold short-term medical licences may be particularly concerned about delays, as they must renew their licences at regular intervals. The agency says it will continue writing to applicants when action is required on their cases, including when further medical information is needed.
