Over the past 10 years, nearly 650,000 driving licences were revoked on medical grounds in the UK. That includes car and motorbike drivers on a Group 1 licence, and professionals with a Group 2 licence. So, are you fit and well to drive on the road?
Here’s what you need to know about how medical conditions can affect your driving licence, and what to do if you’re affected.
How Many Driving Licences Are Revoked on Health Grounds?
Between 2014 and 2024, 646,972 drivers lost their licences on medical grounds. Car leasing comparison website LeaseLoco’s Freedom of Information recent request uncovered the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data.
That’s a high number, but it’s also a good reminder to check in with your health. This is how you can make sure you’re fit to drive, and what to do if you have concerns.
Which Medical Conditions Can Affect Your Driving?
You need to notify the DVLA if you suffer from certain medical conditions, as they could affect your driving. Alcohol dependency was the most common reason for drivers to lose their licence for medical reasons in the past year, followed by epilepsy and dementia. But the list of health issues you have to declare is extensive, including:
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s
- Depression
- Pacemakers
- Drug misuse
- Visual impairment
- Psychosis
- Glaucoma
- Angina
- Head injuries
You may not be able to drive with certain health conditions – with others, you can drive as long as they’re carefully monitored. A qualified doctor can carry out a driver medical to check whether you’re fit to drive, and advise you on your options.
If you’re an HGV driver, bus driver or ambulance driver, you’ll have to meet higher requirements to pass the D4 medical assessment. When you drive a bus, lorry or crane, the conditions are stressful enough, not to mention you’re in charge of larger vehicles and heavy loads. And many local councils also require taxi drivers and minicab drivers to meet DVLA Group 2 medical standards.
What Happens If You Don’t Tell the DVLA About a Medical Condition?
Don’t risk hiding a medical condition that could affect your driving ability – you’re risking your bank balance, professional reputation, and your life. As a lorry driver, bus driver or taxi driver whose income relies on driving, you might be tempted to bury your head in the sand. Informing the DVLA doesn’t always mean handing in your licence, but it’s important to declare them.
If you don’t inform the DVLA, you could face:
- a fine up to £1,000
- prosecution for dangerous driving if you’re in a collision that’s linked to your health
- stricter rules if you reapply after surrendering your licence
You can’t assume you’ll evade detection, particularly as driving when it’s not safe for you to do so can lead to an accident on the road. It’s also worth being honest with yourself about your health as you get older. According to government figures, illness and disabilities are the fourth most common cause of accidents in drivers over 70.
Can You Drive with a Medical Condition?
Having a medical condition or disability doesn’t always mean returning your driving licence – it depends on your condition and it effects. The most important thing is to speak to a doctor who can give you advice.
If you’re a driver in Birmingham or the West Midlands, contact My Driver Medical to settle any medical concerns. You can talk directly to a doctor by phone, or book a driver medical online through our online form or email.
When Do I Have to Surrender My Licence to the DVLA?
If your health conditions or disability mean you can no longer drive safely, you may have to send your driving licence back to the DVLA. This could happen if:
- you can’t meet the minimum standards for your licence
- a medical condition means you won’t be able to drive safety for a minimum of 3 months
- your doctor advises you not to drive for 3 months or longer
How Do I Reapply for a Driving Licence after Surrendering It?
Heath conditions are all different, and if yours improves, you may be able to reapply with a doctor’s approval. You’ll have to take a driver medical for your driving licence’s category with an experienced, GMC registered doctor.
It doesn’t have to be your usual GP, you can often get a cheaper driver medical at short notice by going to another provider. Drivers based in the West Midlands can book a low-cost medical with My Driver Medical.