Transport minister Simon Lightwood has issued an apology to motorists unable to drive due to delays in medical driving licence decisions. Speaking in a Commons debate, he acknowledged that service levels have “fallen below expectations”, leaving drivers facing prolonged uncertainty.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) must be informed of any medical conditions that could affect driving ability, such as diabetes, epilepsy, and strokes. Several MPs raised concerns about constituents experiencing lengthy waits for their licences after reporting such conditions.
Lightwood said: “When a licence is delayed because of a medical investigation, the impact is immediate and it’s personal. People can face lost income, isolation, missed appointments and prolonged uncertainty.” He added that services have “fallen below expectations for far too many drivers” and offered a direct apology: “I’m sorry to all those who have been impacted by these delays, and we’re going to put things right.”
The minister noted that in 2024-25 alone, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions, with demand rising due to an ageing population. While straightforward cases can be resolved quickly, an increasing proportion are complex and require detailed clinical evidence. A new digital medical services platform launched in March aims to streamline notifications and renewals, enabling staff to focus on complex cases.
