If you don’t alert the DVLA when you should, you could be hit with a hefty fine
Drivers across the UK may be driving with an undeclared medical condition(Image: KevinHolt via Getty Images)
Millions of people in the UK drive with a known health condition. But when is it legally acceptable not to tell the DVLA about it – and at what point should you let them know you have one?
The DVLA, also known as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, manage driver and vehicle registration and licensing in Great Britain. It also collects and enforces vehicle tax across the UK.
On the official GOV.UK website, it notes that anyone getting behind a wheel “must tell DVLA if you have a driving licence and you develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or disability”.
You will also need to tell them if you have a “condition or disability that has got worse since you got your licence.” It is warned: “You could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely. You could also be prosecuted if you have an accident.”
If you cause an accident and you didn’t declare your condition, you could be prosecuted(Image: Getty)
Notifiable conditions are anything that could affect your ability to drive safely. They can include sleep apnoea, syncope (fainting), heart conditions (including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers), epilepsy and strokes.
Medical conditions you may need to tell the DVLA about – full list
You may not need to report your condition. But in some cases, it could be severe enough that you need to tell them.
For example, GOV.UK notes that you “must tell DVLA if you’re diagnosed with anxiety and it affects your ability to drive safely.” However, “if your driving is not affected by anxiety, you do not need to tell DVLA. Ask your doctor if you’re unsure.”
Absence seizuresAcoustic neuromaAgoraphobiaAlcohol problemsAlzheimer’s diseaseAmaurosis fugaxAmputationsAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)AnginaAngioplastyAnkylosing spondylitisAnorexia nervosaAnxietyAortic aneurysmAortic stenosisArachnoid cystArrhythmiaAtrial defibrillatorArteriovenous malformationArthritisAsperger syndromeAtaxiaAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Autistic spectrum conditionBalloon angioplasty (leg)Bipolar disorderBlackoutsBlepharospasmBlood clotsBlood pressureBrachial plexus injuryBrain abscess, cyst or encephalitisBrain aneurysmBrain angiomaBrain haemorrhageBrain injury (traumatic)Brain tumoursBroken limbsBrugada syndromeBurr hole surgeryCaesarean sectionCancerCataractsCatheter ablationCardiac problemsCarotid artery stenosisCataplexyCavernomaCentral venous thrombosisCerebral palsyCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChiari malformationChronic aortic dissectionCognitive problemsCongenital heart diseaseConvulsionsCoronary artery bypass or diseaseCoronary angioplastyCranial nerve palsy (with double vision)Cystic fibrosisDeafnessDefibrillatorDéjà vuDementiaDepressionDiabetesDilated cardiomyopathyDiplopia (double vision)DizzinessDrug misuseEating disordersEmpyema (brain)EpilepsyEssential tremorEye conditionsFaintingFitsFractured skullFriedreich’s ataxiaGlaucomaGlobal amnesiaGrand mal seizuresGuillain-Barré syndromeHead injuryHeart attackHeart arrhythmiaHeart failureHeart murmursHeart palpitationsHeart valve disease or replacement valveHigh blood pressureHIV or AIDSHodgkin’s lymphomaHuntington’s diseaseHydrocephalusHypertensionHypertrophic cardiomyopathyHypoglycaemiaHypoxic brain damageHysterectomyImplantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)Intracerebral haemorrhageIschaemic heart diseaseKidney dialysisKidney problemsKorsakoff’s syndromeLabyrinthitisLearning difficultiesLeft bundle branch blockLeukaemiaLewy body dementiaLimb disabilityLong QT syndromeLoss of an eyeLow blood glucose (sugar)Lumboperitoneal shuntLung cancerLymphomaMacular degenerationMalignant brain tumoursMalignant melanomaManic depressive psychosisMarfan’s syndromeMedulloblastomaMemory problems (severe)MeningiomaMini-strokeMonocular vision (sight in one eye only)Motor neurone diseaseMultiple sclerosisMuscular dystrophyMyasthenia gravisMyocardial infarctionMyoclonusNarcolepsyNight blindnessObsessive compulsive disorderObstructive sleep apnoeaOcular myasthenia gravis (with double vision)Ophthalmoplegia (with double vision)PacemakersPalpitationsParanoiaParanoid schizophreniaParaplegiaParkinson’s diseasePeripheral arterial diseasePeripheral neuropathyPersonality disorderPetit mal seizuresPituitary tumourPost traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)PsychosisPsychotic depressionPulmonary arterial hypertensionRenal dialysisRetinal artery fugaxRetinitis pigmentosaRetinopathy (with laser treatment)Schizo-affective disorderSchizophreniaScotomaSeizuresSevere communication disordersSevere depressionSight in one eye onlySleep apnoeaSleepiness (excessive)Spinal problems and injuriesStrokeSubarachnoid haemorrhageSurgerySyncopeTachycardiaTemporal lobe epilepsyTonic clonic fitsTourette’s syndromeTransient global amnesiaTransient ischaemic attackTunnel visionUsher syndromeValve disease or replacement valveVentricular defibrillatorVertigoVision in one eye onlyVisual acuity (reduced)Visual field defectVP shuntsWolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
You can find the full list of health conditions which may affect your driving via the official GOV.UK A to Z list. If you have a condition, whether listed or not, and are unsure whether to declare it, contact the DVLA.
If you tell DVLA about a medical condition, your application may take 6 weeks. It could take longer if it needs to be referred to a doctor.
