A car insurance expert has warned drivers who are on three common prescription medications that they may be banned from driving due to DVLA guidance
12:41, 24 Jul 2025Updated 12:41, 24 Jul 2025
You have been warned (stock)(Image: Matt Cardy, Getty Images)
Motorists on three specific prescription medications could face a driving ban, according to DVLA guidelines. Greg Wilson, founder of car insurance specialists at Quotezone.co.uk, issued a warning to drivers taking opioid painkillers, tranquillisers or antidepressants.
He cautioned that they may be advised to “avoid driving” if found under the influence. Greg elaborated: “If you are on strong medications, it is likely that you will be recommended to avoid driving.
“Opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and certain antidepressants are examples of medicines that can affect driving ability – as well as those that cause drowsiness or say ‘do not operate heavy machinery.”
Drivers on three prescription medications issued warning over DVLA rule (stock)
Road safety charity Brake commented: “Many prescription and over-the-counter medications impair ability to drive safely, for instance causing drowsiness, affecting reaction times, coordination, concentration or vision.”, reports Birmingham Live.
“Warnings on medication can be vague or in small print only. They may indicate there is a risk of impairment but not relate it to driving. They may leave it to the user to judge their own level of impairment (which can be hard).”
The DVLA reminds motorists that it’s illegal in England, Scotland and Wales to drive with legal drugs in your body if it impairs your driving.
It’s an offence to drive if you have over the specified limits of certain drugs in your blood and you have not been prescribed them.
You’re permitted to drive after consuming these medications if they’ve been prescribed to you and you’ve adhered to a healthcare professional’s advice on their usage, or if they don’t render you unfit to drive even if you exceed the specified limits.
However, you could face prosecution if you drive with certain levels of these drugs in your system without a prescription.
Whilst this law doesn’t apply to Northern Ireland, you could still be apprehended if you’re deemed unfit to drive, adds the DVLA.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.