{"id":383358,"date":"2026-04-05T15:33:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T15:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/383358\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T15:33:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T15:33:09","slug":"irish-drivers-warned-they-must-report-23-medical-conditions-or-face-fines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/383358\/","title":{"rendered":"Irish drivers warned they must report 23 medical conditions or face fines"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Drivers in Ireland are being warned they must declare 23 medical conditions to the NDLS or risk fines and potential criminal penalties under strict licensing rules.<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Driving car\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2_driving-car-on-highway.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Drivers are being reminded that failing to report a relevant medical condition could have serious consequences\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Drivers are being reminded that failing to report a relevant medical condition could have serious consequences(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Drivers in Ireland are being warned they must report <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/health\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">23 specific medical conditions<\/a> or risk fines and even criminal sanctions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Under Irish and EU law, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/cars\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">motorists <\/a>are required to inform their licencing authority of any long term or permanent illness or injury that could affect their ability to drive safely.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This applies both when applying for a licence and after it has been issued, meaning drivers must update their details if they develop a relevant health condition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) says a medical report form must be submitted in a number of cases when applying for or renewing a licence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This includes drivers applying for<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/driving-test\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> a learner permit<\/a>, those seeking licences for trucks and buses (categories C and D), as well as anyone aged 75 or over.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It is also required for motorists whose licence carries a code 101 &#8211; meaning renewal is subject to a medical report &#8211; along with those who have a history of epilepsy or <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/alcohol\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">alcoholism<\/a>, or who regularly take medication or drugs that could impair their ability to drive safely.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The medical report form must be completed by<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/doctors\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> a registered doctor<\/a>, signed in their presence and given to the NDLS within one month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Another key category applies to drivers with certain medical conditions &#8211; with the NDLS identifying 23 that must be declared.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While the list is not exhaustive, motorists must disclose these conditions when applying for or renewing their licence, and notify the NDLS if they develop any of them later.<\/p>\n<p><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/diabetes\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Diabetes <\/a>treated by insulin and or sulphonylurea tablets, no need to tell NDLS if managed by other tablets and or diet<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/epilepsy\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Epilepsy<\/a>Stroke or TIAs with any associated symptoms lasting longer than one monthFits or blackoutsAny type of brain surgery, brain abscess or severe head Injury involving in-patient treatment or a brain tumour or spinal injury or spinal tumourAn implanted cardiac pacemakerAn implanted cardiac defibrillatorRepeated attacks of sudden disabling dizzinessAny other chronic neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, or Huntington&#8217;s diseaseA serious problem with memory or periods of confusionPersistent alcohol misuse or dependencyPersistent <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/drugs\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">drug <\/a>misuse or dependencySerious psychiatric illness or mental health problems<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/parkinsons-disease\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Parkinson&#8217;s disease<\/a>Sleep Apnoea syndromeNarcolepsyAny condition affecting your peripheral visionTotal loss of sight in one eyeAny condition affecting both eyes, or the remaining eye if the driver only has one eye (Not including colour blindness or short or long sight)A serious hearing deficiencySevere learning disabilityAny persistent problems with arms or legs which restricts driving to an automatic vehicleAny persistent problems with arms or legs which restricts driving to an adapted vehicle<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Drivers are being reminded that failing to report a relevant medical condition could have <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/crime\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">serious consequences<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The NDLS <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ndls.ie\/medical-fitness\/informing-the-ndls-about-a-medical-condition.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">said<\/a>: &#8220;Drivers should be aware that there may be long-term financial, insurance, legal and criminal consequences where there is failure to report a medical condition that may impact on their ability to drive safely to the NDLS and insurance provider.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irishmirror.ie\/all-about\/road-safety-authority\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> Road Safety Authority of Ireland <\/a>also stressed that drivers have a responsibility to act if they become aware of any issue affecting their ability to drive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A spokesperson <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rsa.ie\/services\/licensed-drivers\/medical-fitness\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">said<\/a>: &#8220;You are committing an offence if you carry on driving after you become aware that you are not fit to do so. &#8216;Awareness&#8217; can be your own awareness &#8211; things you notice yourself without being diagnosed by a doctor, e.g. dizziness, fainting etc.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Want to see more of the stories you love from the Irish Mirror? <a aria-label=\"Making us your preferred source on GoogleLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=irishmirror.ie\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Making us your preferred source on Google<\/a> means you\u2019ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Irish Mirror as a preferred source, simply <a aria-label=\"click hereLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=irishmirror.ie\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Drivers in Ireland are being warned they must declare 23 medical conditions to the NDLS or risk fines&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":383359,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[11313,3013,1115,1702,1695,41616,424,23365,103,61,60,3262,49783],"class_list":{"0":"post-383358","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-alcohol","9":"tag-cars","10":"tag-crime","11":"tag-diabetes","12":"tag-doctors","13":"tag-driving-test","14":"tag-drugs","15":"tag-epilepsy","16":"tag-health","17":"tag-ie","18":"tag-ireland","19":"tag-parkinsons-disease","20":"tag-road-safety-authority"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/383358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=383358"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/383358\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/383359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=383358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=383358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=383358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}