Up to 189 health conditions could potentially impact your legal right to drive. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) guidelines encompass both physical and mental health conditions which must be reported.
Failing to declare these could lead to substantial penalties, particularly if a medical condition is persistent. This is especially crucial if your GP has already recommended you cease driving for three months or more, or if your medical condition impairs your driving capability and persists for three months or longer.
Whilst the DVLA's comprehensive A-Z guidance catalogue identifies up to 189 conditions that may affect your driving, seven particular ones must be disclosed to the DVLA. These are classified as 'notifiable' medical conditions or disabilities.
The DVLA's guidance cautions: "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 possess a driving licence and suffer from any of the following 'notifiable' conditions, they may compromise your driving abilities and must be declared to the DVLA:
In addition to the above conditions that must be reported to the DVLA, there are a wide range of other conditions that you may also need to report. Some of these can include very common health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
However, in many instances, these conditions only need to be disclosed if they impact your ability to drive safely.
Your legal right to drive while managing one of the aforementioned health conditions or disabilities largely depends on how it specifically affects you. According to the DVLA, there are only three scenarios where you must surrender your licence to the DVLA, thus rendering you unable to drive:
While awaiting a decision from the DVLA regarding your medical condition, you are typically still allowed to drive. Following their evaluation, the DVLA will notify you if your vehicle needs to be modified to meet your needs or if you must stop driving.
This decision will be conveyed via a letter, which will also provide additional guidance for your subsequent steps. A full list of the 189 conditions that could affect your ability to drive can be found here.