What happens after you tell DVLA

You’ll get a decision by letter. Your application may need further information from a healthcare professional, depending on your condition. DVLA might: contact your doctor or consultant arrange for you to be examined ask you to take a driving assessment, or an eyesight or driving test 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. If you’ve told DVLA about a condition when applying to renew your licence, follow the guidance about driving that’s in the form. Contact DVLA if you need advice or to check on your case.

What DVLA will decide

DVLA will assess your medical condition or disability and decide if: you need to get a new driving licence you can have a shorter licence - for 1, 2, 3 or 5 years you need to adapt your car by fitting special controls you must stop driving and give up your licence You need to adapt your vehicle If you’ve been told that you must adapt your car, you get an independent assessment of your adaptation needs through Driving Mobility . Find out more about adapting your vehicle and where to get special controls fitted through the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers . You must stop driving DVLA will send you a letter saying that you must stop driving. You’ll be given a medical reason for why, and be told if and when you can reapply for your licence. If you’re told to stop driving, you can: send DVLA more medical evidence reapply for your driving licence (if your letter says you can reapply) appeal the decision Send more medical evidence You must give relevant information that was not included in the original assessment. You must also include: proof that you meet the required standards for driving (these are explained in the decision letter DVLA sent you) the reference number from your decision letter If you’re not sure what medical information to send to DVLA , check with a doctor or a healthcare professional. DM Further Evidence DMI Support D5 DVLA SA99 1DL Reapply for your driving licence Your letter will tell you if there’s a period of time you need to wait before getting a new licence. You can then reapply 8 weeks before the end of this period. Reapply for your driving licence following a medical condition . Appeal the decision In England and Wales, you can appeal the decision by contacting your local magistrate’s court within 6 months. You must tell DVLA in writing if you choose to appeal. In Scotland, appeal the decision by contacting your local sheriff’s court within 21 days. You must also tell DVLA you’re appealing within 21 days. You may want to get legal advice before you appeal - you might be able to get legal aid to pay for it. Contact DVLA in England and Wales Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Drivers Medical Group Swansea SA99 1DF Contact DVLA in Scotland Telephone: 0300 790 6806 Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm Saturday, 8am to 2pm Find out about call charges Make a complaint You can make a complaint if you’re unhappy with the service you get from DVLA .

Renewing or reapplying for your licence

How you reapply for or renew your licence depends on if you had to give up your licence, or if you have a short-term licence. You’ve got a short-term licence DVLA will send you a renewal letter 90 days before your 1, 2, 3 or 5-year licence is due to expire. Renew your licence online , or send the renewal reminder back by post. You gave up your licence and stopped driving The letter DVLA sends you when your licence is taken away tells you if you have to wait before you can reapply. You must check with your doctor that you’re fit to drive before you reapply for your licence , if it was taken away because of a medical condition.

Medical conditions, disabilities and driving

Telling DVLA about a medical condition or disability

You must tell DVLA if you have a driving licence and:

you develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or disability
a condition or disability has got worse since you got your licence

Notifiable conditions are 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

How to tell DVLA

Check if you need to tell DVLA about your condition to find the forms or questionnaires you need. The address you need is on the forms.

If you’re in Northern Ireland you must contact the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).

There are different forms for different conditions and disabilities.

Contact DVLA if you’re not sure what to do.

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.

Surrendering your licence

You must surrender your licence to DVLA if any of the following are true:

your doctor tells you to stop driving for 3 months or more
your medical condition affects your ability to drive safely and lasts for 3 months or more
you do not meet the required standards for driving because of your medical condition

You can apply to get your licence back when you meet the medical standards for driving again.

First licence or renewal if you’re 70 or over

You must also tell DVLA about notifiable conditions if you:

You’ll be asked for this information in your application form. You do not need to contact DVLA separately.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Medical conditions, disabilities and driving

Telling DVLA about a medical condition or disability

How to tell DVLA

Surrendering your licence

First licence or renewal if you’re 70 or over

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Medical conditions, disabilities and driving

Telling DVLA about a medical condition or disability

How to tell DVLA

Surrendering your licence

First licence or renewal if you’re 70 or over

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