A wide variety of conditions can affect your driving(Image: Getty Images)
As many as 189 health conditions could potentially affect your legal ability to drive. Both physical and mental health conditions are included in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) guidance that must be reported.
Failure to do so could result in significant penalties, especially if a medical condition is ongoing. This becomes particularly important if a GP has already advised you to stop driving for three months or more, or if the medical condition affects your driving ability and lasts for three months or longer.
While the DVLA's A-Z guidance catalogue lists up to 189 conditions that could affect your driving, seven specific ones must be declared to the DVLA. These are categorised as 'notifiable' medical conditions or disabilities.
View 3 ImagesSome conditions must be reported to the DVLA(Image: Getty Images)
The DVLA's guidance warns: "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 hold a driving licence and have any of the following 'notifiable' conditions, they could impact 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.
View 3 ImagesHealth conditions don't always need to be reported(Image: Getty Images)
Your legal entitlement to drive while managing one of the aforementioned health conditions or disabilities largely hinges 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.
More on the 189 conditions that could affect your ability to drive can be found here.