The DVLA is taking an average of 55.8 days to make licensing decisions on vocational driving licence applications where a medical condition requires assessment, according to figures released to Parliament. The latest data, which covers group 2 licences for buses and lorries, shows waiting times remain higher than most of 2025 despite recent efforts to speed up processing.
Processing times revealed in Parliament
The Department for Transport was asked about the average time taken by the DVLA to process vocational driving licence applications where a medical condition required assessment in each month since 4 July 2024. The question, tabled by Richard Holden, Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, was answered on October 22 by Justin Madders, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport.
The minister's reply shows that the average number of days taken by DVLA officials to make a licensing decision reached almost 65 in August this year, nearly 30 more than at some stages in 2025. The latest figure of 55.8 days is down on the August total but remains the third highest month this year and is higher than every month in 2025 other than one that also stood at 55.8 days.
Impact on drivers and DVLA action
There are around 280,000 HGV drivers in the UK, government data shows. Delays in getting a licence renewed can affect a driver's ability to continue driving while waiting for a decision, a concern raised with the department this month by Ben Maguire MP.
Earlier this month, Catherine Fookes MP asked what steps the department was taking to reduce waiting times for vocational driving licences for new applicants and renewals, and what assessment had been made of the potential merits of moving to a fully digitalised application system. Mr Madders said medical condition licence applications took longer than others but admitted there was no timescale for moving to a digital system.
He said: “Straightforward applications for vocational driving licences are being processed within normal turnaround times of ten working days. Applications where a medical condition must be assessed before a licence can be issued can take longer to process as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is often dependent on information from third parties, including medical professionals before a licence can be issued. While the DVLA plans to enhance the online services available for vocational drivers given the clear advantages for both the DVLA and drivers in doing so, there are no current timescales available.”
The minister had earlier announced four changes to reduce waiting times for driving licence renewals for people with at least one medical condition. These include a new text message trial to alert some drivers, a new casework system, additional staff recruitment, and a new digital medical services portal supporting applications on around 1,600 medical conditions. In that update, Mr Madders said the average number of working days to make a licensing decision in medical cases so far in 2026/27 is 62.3 working days.
Notifiable conditions to report
Drivers are required to tell the DVLA if they develop a notifiable condition or disability, or if an existing condition has worsened since they acquired a licence. Notifiable conditions include glaucoma, diabetes or taking insulin, strokes, syncope (fainting), epilepsy, heart conditions including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers, and sleep apnoea. Group 1 licences cover cars and motorbikes, while group 2 licences for large lorries, HGVs, buses and coaches carry higher medical standards and last for a maximum of five years or until age 45, whichever comes first, with annual renewal required from age 65.
