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What happens after you have told DVLA about your medical condition

When you have informed the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of a medical condition or disability, the medical advisers at DVLA will decide whether or not you can satisfy the national medical guidelines and the requirements of the law. A licence is accordingly issued, revoked or refused.

When you have told DVLA of a medical condition or disability

The medical questionnaire that you use to notify DVLA allows you to provide specific details about your medical condition or disability. The questionnaire also enables you to provide your consent for the DVLA medical adviser to request medical information from your doctor (s), if this is needed. If at all possible a decision will be made on the information you provide. If, however, further information is required, then the medical adviser may:

  • contact your own doctor and or consultant
  • arrange for you to be examined by a locally appointed medical officer or local consultant or specialist
  • ask you to undergo a driving assessment, eyesight or driving test

How long medical enquiries will take

The DVLA aim to complete their enquiries as quickly as possible. The time they take to deal with your particular case will depend on the medical condition you have and the information they need to gather. If the DVLA can make a decision based on the information you originally provided, they aim to make a decision on 88 per cent of cases within 15 working days.

If they need more information about your medical condition, either from you, your doctor, or from other sources, or if you are applying for a lorry or bus licence, they aim to make a decision on 85 per cent of cases within 90 working days.

The decision that can be made about your driving licence

Once the medical adviser is satisfied that all the relevant medical information is available, a decision will be  taken about your driving licence in accordance with the medical standards of fitness to drive. The decisions that can be taken are:

  • you may be able to retain your licence or be issued with a new driving licence
  • you may be issued with a driving licence for a period of one, two or three years if the medical adviser decides that a review of your medical fitness is required in the future
  • you may be issued a driving licence which indicates that special controls need to be fitted to the vehicles you drive to enable you to overcome the effects of a physical disability
  • your licence may be revoked or your application refused. DVLA will only do this when their enquiries confirm that as a result of your medical condition you are unable to meet the required medical standards of fitness to drive.

If your driving licence is revoked or refused by the medical adviser at DVLA you will be:

  • provided with a medical explanation of why this decision was taken. Wherever possible DVLA will advise you when you can re-apply for your licence
  • sent notice that will explain your right of appeal to a Magistrates’ Court if you live in England or Wales, or to a Sheriff Court if you live in Scotland.

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