The DVLA has announced four changes aimed at addressing a surge in driving licence renewals involving medical conditions. The agency revealed this week that it is experiencing a significant increase in the number of people submitting driving licence applications who have at least one medical condition.
The Department for Transport (DfT), which oversees the DVLA, confirmed this week that officials are taking an average of 62 working days to reach a licensing decision in medical cases. That equates to 86 calendar days — roughly three months — leaving drivers at risk of being unable to get behind the wheel while they await a verdict.
Concerns raised over driver disruption
Concerns have been raised with the government regarding what steps are being taken to ensure that drivers with medical conditions, who are required to renew their licence annually, do not lose their ability to drive while their case is being processed.
Ben Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, asked the DfT what measures it is implementing to ensure that drivers who must renew on a yearly basis are informed of timescales ahead of deadlines, so as to avoid any disruption to their driving entitlement. On Wednesday, Justin Madders, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), responded by outlining several steps being taken to speed up the process for affected drivers.
Four key measures outlined
He highlighted four key measures. These comprise a new text message trial to alert drivers, a new casework system, a new digital medical services portal, and additional members of staff, reports the Mirror.
He said: "So far in 2026/27, the average number of working days to make a licensing decision in medical cases is 62.3 working days. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sends reminders for vocational licences and ten-year photocard licence renewals 56 days before the licence is due to expire. For those renewing their licence at the age of 70 and those renewing a short-period medical licence, reminders are sent 90 days before the licence is due to expire.
"The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. Applications that require medical investigation can often take longer to process, as they depend on the nature of the condition(s) involved and whether further information is required from third parties, such as doctors or other healthcare professionals, before a licensing decision can be made."
New systems and additional staff
"To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its driver's medical function and has launched a new casework system which will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. The DVLA has also launched a new digital medical services portal which supports applications relating to around 1,600 medical conditions. Further enhancements for customers applying for a provisional licence and those renewing at the age of 70 or over were made recently.
"The DVLA will write to the driver or applicant to advise them of any action taken on their case, for example where medical information is required from the driver or their healthcare professional. As part of a project, the DVLA has recently begun trialling text messaging to drivers who have consented to receiving updates by that method.
"These enhancements, alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with applications will deliver real improvements in services and turnaround times for customers."
Short-term medical driving licences - how to apply
There are more than 50 million people in the UK holding a driving licence, according to the RAC. Of those, a recent Freedom of Information request revealed that more than 2 million have a medical condition recorded with the DVLA.
Drivers under the age of 70 are required to renew their licence every 10 years, after which the renewal period drops to every three years. Short-term medical driving licences are issued for periods of either one, two, three or five years, according to the government.
Dr Nick Jenkins, a medical expert working with the DVLA, said in a blog for the government in 2021 that "most people who report a medical condition, which can be done online, get to keep their driving licence. We may issue a short-term licence (1 to 5 years) if you've got a medical condition considered to be progressive."
"This is because we'll need to assess the ongoing stability of the condition or consider the risk of recurrence of an episode being below a certain threshold. Examples of this kind of condition are dementia, epilepsy, and diabetes."
Additionally, certain categories of driver are required to renew their licences regularly irrespective of age. According to government guidance, a group 2 licence for a lorry driver remains valid for five years, or until age 45, whichever comes first. Beyond 65, renewal is required annually. To notify the DVLA about a medical condition, visit the relevant government web page on the matter.
