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DVLA medical conditions you should know

08/10/2025

Man sneezing into tissue while sitting in a green car.
Lauren McAfee Insurance Editor and Writer

Last Updated: 8 October 2025
Read time: 6 minutes

Written by: Lauren McAfee
Insurance Writer and Editor

Reviewed by: Mark McKeown

Written in line with our Editorial Guidelines

As a driver, you have a legal duty to disclose relevant medical conditions to the DVLA. Failing to report these can result in stiff penalties and fines. For instance, the DVLA’s eye condition disclosure fine can be as high as £1,000.

Disclosing a medical condition doesn’t always mean losing your licence. You can still be allowed to continue driving. However, it might come with some restrictions, or you might need regular medical assessments to ensure your safety.

What are DVLA reportable medical conditions?

A notifiable or reportable medical condition is anything that could affect your ability to drive safely. This includes temporary conditions, conditions that have worsened over time, newly diagnosed conditions, or those that are considered a disability. 

You’ll need to report these, whether you drive a car, motorcycle, bus, or lorry. While a GP or specialist may advise that you report a condition, the responsibility of doing this is ultimately yours. 

What is included in the DVLA notifiable conditions?

The DVLA has an extensive list of medical conditions that need to be declared.

Here are just some examples of the most common conditions that you would need to report.

DVLA medical conditions list

1. Diabetes

If you’re taking insulin or certain other medications, or if you suffer from severe episodes of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) that occur while awake. Diet-controlled diabetes usually does not need reporting, but it’s always good to check.

2. Epilepsy

You will likely be individually assessed to determine the severity and type of seizures you experience. Depending on your situation, your licence could be removed and reinstated after a seizure-free period. Alternatively, you could be allowed to continue driving with additional requirements, like renewing your licence every 3 years instead of every 10.

3. Neurological conditions

Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, and multiple sclerosis must be reported to the DVLA if they affect your ability to drive safely. Each case is assessed individually, and you might need to take regular medical assessments to determine your fitness to drive.

4. Heart conditions

This includes conditions like arrhythmia, pacemaker use, angina, heart attacks, or heart failure. It’s important to keep the DVLA up to date on any changes in your condition so any restrictions accurately reflect your driving abilities.

5. Eye conditions

These include glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, as well as the essential distance sight for safe driving. Failure to report these conditions can result in a fine of up to £1,000, and your driving licence may be revoked if you do not meet DVLA standards.

6. Physical disabilities

Physical disabilities such as amputations, chronic pain, or spinal injuries need to be declared if they affect your ability to drive safely. These are also evaluated individually and often require a medical assessment. Many drivers can continue driving, and some can benefit from vehicle adaptations.

7. Fainting or syncope

Experiencing recurring or unexplained blackouts, fainting, or syncope. Depending on the underlying reasons for the condition and its severity, the DVLA may impose restrictions or require regular assessments to determine your suitability to hold a licence.

8. Strokes or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)

You must stop driving for at least one month after a stroke or TIA and report your condition to the DVLA if symptoms persist or impact your driving ability.

9. Sleep disorders

Moderate or severe sleep apnoea must be reported to the DVLA, as daytime sleepiness or sudden sleep episodes affect the safety of your driving.

10. Certain medications

Certain medications and prescriptions must be declared if they impair driving ability. These can include over-the-counter medications, including strong antihistamines like hay fever medication, sedatives, or medications affecting alertness.

How to inform the DVLA of a medical condition

It is best to follow direct guidance from the DVLA when declaring your medical condition. But the general steps will include:

  1. Check if your condition is included in the DVLA health conditions list online.
  2. Find the correct form to declare the condition. This will depend on whether you already hold a license, are applying for your first license, are renewing your license at the age of 70, or are voluntarily surrendering your license because of a condition.
  3. The DVLA will either respond with a decision on what happens next or request more information. This could mean they need to speak to your doctor or consultant, organise for you to be examined, or require you to take a driving or eyesight test.
  4. In most cases, you can keep driving while the DVLA consider your application.
  5. You will be able to appeal the decision, so don’t immediately panic if you are told you can no longer drive. 

With the unique nature of medical conditions, it’s often best to speak to someone before you make a declaration to ensure you fully understand what is needed and how to report your specific condition. Here is the DVLA medical contact number and more resources for understanding how to declare your condition. 

What happens if I don’t disclose a medical condition to the DVLA?

The risk of losing your license can be a daunting one. However, it does not justify putting the safety of you and other road users at risk when you fail to declare your medical condition to the DVLA. 

Not only could this land you with a fine of up to £1,000, if you’re involved in an accident and it’s found that the condition contributed, you could be prosecuted. On top of this, your insurance would also be invalid, leaving you personally liable for the cost of damages you caused. Being honest and proactive protects both your safety and that of other road users.

When do I need to surrender my driver’s licence?

There are instances where you may be required to surrender your driver’s licence to the DVLA because of a medical condition. These can include when:

  • Your GP formally tells you to stop driving for more than 3 months.
  • You no longer meet the required medical standards to continue driving.
  • You have a medical condition which impacts your ability to drive and lasts more than 3 months.

You can still apply to get your licence back when you meet the required driving standards.

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References
https://www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions
https://www.gov.uk/giving-up-your-driving-licence
https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.