Drivers are urged to check if they need to inform the DVLA about their health
Charlotte Smith Senior Lifestyle Content Editor
05:30, 05 Apr 2026
Drivers must disclose specific medical conditions to the DVLA(Image: Getty)
With the Easter bank holiday in full swing and significant numbers expected on the roads over the extended weekend, motorists are being reminded to verify that their details are accurate and up to date. Those living with certain medical conditions must notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or risk incurring fines of up to £1,000 for non-compliance.
Motorists can determine whether their condition requires DVLA notification via Gov.uk, where they’ll find the necessary forms and questionnaires. Different forms are available for various conditions and disabilities, and the DVLA can be contacted directly if you’re unsure about the process, reports the Mirror.
According to Gov.uk: “You must tell DVLA if you have a driving licence and you develop a notifiable medical condition or disability, or a condition or disability has got worse since you got your licence.” It continues: “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.”
Notifiable conditions include anything that could affect safe driving capability. These include diabetes or insulin use, syncope (fainting), cardiac conditions (including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers), sleep apnoea, epilepsy, strokes, and glaucoma.
According to the DVLA, more than 180 medical conditions may affect safe driving; a list of over 100 is available below. You can find in the full A to Z list on Gov.uk.
Drivers must disclose specific medical conditions to the DVLA(Image: Getty)
Diabetes:
Regarding diabetes, DVLA notification is essential if:
Your insulin therapy extends (or is expected to extend) beyond three months.You experienced gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy), and your insulin therapy persists beyond three months postpartum.You suffer from incapacitating hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or a medical expert has warned of the risk of its development.Cancer:
For cancer or lymphoma, you’re only required to inform the DVLA if:
You encounter issues related to your brain or nervous system.Your physician advises that you may not be fit for driving.You’re limited to specific vehicle types or require vehicle adaptations due to your condition.Your medication induces side effects that could impact your ability to drive safely.
If you’re unsure whether cancer might impact your ability to drive, consult your doctor for advice.
Additional conditions on the list include:AgoraphobiaAlcohol problemsAlzheimer’s diseaseAmputationsAngiomas or cavernomasAnkylosing spondylitisAnorexia nervosaAnxietyAortic aneurysmArachnoid cystArrhythmiaArteriovenous malformationArthritisAtaxiaADHDAIDSBipolar disorder (manic depression)Blood clotsBlood pressureBrachial plexus injuryBrain abscess, cyst or encephalitisBrain aneurysmBrain haemorrhageTraumatic brain injuryBrain tumourBroken limbsBrugada syndromeBurr hole surgeryCataractsCataplexyCentral venous thrombosis (if still having problems after one month)Cerebral palsyCognitive problemsCongenital heart diseaseFits, seizures or convulsions and drivingDéjà vu and drivingDefibrillatorsDementiaDepression (if it impacts your ability to drive safely)Diplopia (double vision)Dizziness or vertigo (if sudden, disabling or recurrent)Drug useEmpyema (brain)Essential tremor (if it impacts your ability to drive safely)Eye conditions (such as glaucoma)Guillain Barré syndromeHead injury (serious)Heart failure (if it impacts your ability to drive safely)Heart palpitationsHemianopiaHodgkin’s lymphomaHuntington’s diseaseHydrocephalusHypoglycaemiaHypoxic brain damageIntracerebral haemorrhageKorsakoff’s syndromeLabyrinthitis (if symptoms last three months or longer)Learning disabilitiesLewy body dementiaLimb disabilityLong QT syndromeMarfan’s syndromeMedulloblastomaMeningioma (if it impacts your ability to drive safely)Motor neurone diseaseMuscular dystrophyMyasthenia gravisMyoclonusNarcolepsyNight blindnessObsessive compulsive disorder (if it impacts your ability to drive safely)Excessive sleepinessOptic atrophyPacemakersParanoid schizophreniaParaplegiaParkinson’s diseasePeripheral neuropathyPersonality disorderPituitary tumourPost traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (if it impacts your ability to drive safely)PsychosisPsychotic depressionPulmonary arterial hypertensionSevere memory problemsStroke (if you’re still having problems after one month)Surgery (if you’re still unable to drive three months later)Syncope (including blackouts or fainting)Seizures/epilepsySleep apnoeaSchizo-affective disorderSchizophreniaScotomaSevere communication disorders (if it impacts your ability to drive safely)Spinal conditions, injuries or spinal surgerySubarachnoid haemorrhageTachycardiaTourette’s syndrome (if it impacts your ability to drive safely)Tunnel visionUsher syndromeReduced visual acuityVertigoVisual field defectVP shuntsWolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
There are certain situations that mean you may need to surrender your licence to DVLA
You must hand in your licence to the DVLA if your doctor advises you to stop driving for three months or longer, your medical condition impacts your driving safety and persists for three months or more, or if you fail to meet the required driving standards due to your medical condition. You can reapply for your licence once you satisfy the medical standards for driving again.
Following notification to the DVLA about your health, Gov.uk explains: “You’ll get a decision by letter. Your application may need further information from a healthcare professional, depending on your condition.” The DVLA may get in touch with your GP or consultant, organise a medical examination, request a driving assessment, or require an eyesight or driving test.
It continues: “Your application may take longer than usual if it needs to be referred to a doctor (unless you’re applying for a bus or lorry licence). You can usually keep driving while DVLA are considering your application.”