Motorists across Britain are being warned they could face a £1,000 fine if they fail to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about specific medical conditions. While having one of the 118 listed health issues does not automatically disqualify you from driving, the legal requirement to declare them is mandatory.
The Legal Obligation for Drivers
The DVLA has clearly stated that certain medical conditions can significantly impact a person's ability to drive safely. "You need to tell DVLA about some medical conditions as they can affect your driving," the authority warns. "You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving." This rule exists not only to protect the driver but also to safeguard other road users from potential harm.
In some cases, declaring a condition might lead to your licence being surrendered, either temporarily or permanently. The DVLA outlines specific scenarios where voluntary licence surrender is appropriate, such as when a doctor advises you to stop driving for three months or more, or if a medical condition lasting three months or more affects safe driving capability.
When You Must Report Your Condition
The list of reportable conditions is extensive and covers both physical and mental health issues. Some requirements are immediate, such as with absence seizures, where drivers must stop driving immediately and declare any epileptic seizures or blackouts. Other conditions require declaration only if specific symptoms appear, like acoustic neuroma, which must be reported if it causes sudden and disabling dizziness.
Broken bones might surprise some drivers, but they only need reporting if the injury prevents driving for more than three months. Similarly, diabetes must be declared if insulin treatment continues beyond three months, or if the driver experiences disabling hypoglycaemia.
The Comprehensive List of Reportable Conditions
The DVLA's alphabetical list of 118 conditions includes both well-known and less common health issues. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD require reporting if they affect driving ability. Cognitive conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease must always be declared.
Physical conditions range from vision problems like cataracts and double vision (when affecting both eyes) to cardiovascular issues including arrhythmia and heart failure. The list also covers neurological disorders, sleep conditions, and even temporary issues like recovery from surgery that impacts driving for over three months.
The complete list serves as a crucial reference for all UK drivers, emphasising that responsibility for declaring relevant health changes rests with the licence holder. The DVLA ultimately decides whether a person can continue to hold a driving licence based on the medical information provided.
