Motorists have been warned they could face fines of £1,000 for failing to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) one thing. Failing to disclose a particular medical condition could result in a hefty punishment.
According to the Government website, you must notify the DVLA about some medical conditions that can affect your driving
These include a whole host of health issues, including some that are fairly common such as diabetes, anxiety, arthritis and high blood pressure.
DVLA rules clearly state that road users must report any medical conditions to officials as soon as possible. Once drivers have declared a condition, experts will analyse the evidence and decide a course of action.
The DVLA explains: “You need to tell DVLA about some medical conditions as they can affect your driving.
“You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving.”
You can voluntarily give up your licence. You might choose to do this if, for example:
- Your doctor tells you to stop driving for three months or more
- Your medical condition affects your ability to drive safely and lasts for three months or more
- You do not meet the required standards for driving because of your medical condition.
The Government website adds: “You’ll need to tell DVLA and send them your licence. If you have a medical condition that affects your driving and do not voluntarily give up your licence, you must inform DVLA. They will decide if you can continue holding a driving licence.”
Notifiable conditions are classed as anything that could affect your ability to drive safely. They can include:
- Diabetes or taking insulin
- Syncope (fainting)
- Heart conditions (including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers)
- Sleep apnoea
- Epilepsy
- Strokes
- Glaucoma
- Blood pressure issues
- Blood clots
- Alcohol problems.
For the full list visit the Government website here. If your condition is not listed but you think it affects your ability to drive safely you should contact the DVLA.
