The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has reminded motorists of their legal duty to report certain medical conditions, with failure to do so potentially resulting in a £1,000 fine or prosecution following an accident. The requirement applies to any driver who develops a 'notifiable' condition or whose existing condition worsens after obtaining a licence.
According to Gov.uk guidance, drivers must inform the DVLA if they develop a condition or disability that may affect their driving ability. In some cases, a doctor may advise stopping driving for a set period, such as three months. Drivers who do not meet the required standards may voluntarily surrender their licence for a specific timeframe.
The DVLA will assess whether a driver can continue to hold a licence after being notified of a condition. However, not all conditions automatically require declaration; some only need to be reported if they impair driving ability or if a doctor has advised stopping driving. Examples include mental health conditions like anxiety and eating disorders, as well as high blood pressure.
Additional rules apply to bus, lorry, or coach licence holders, who must report conditions such as kidney problems or transient global amnesia, while car licence holders are not required to do so. The DVLA advises drivers to check the full list of notifiable conditions on the Gov.uk website to ensure compliance.
