What medical conditions need to be declared to the DVLA?
15/05/2024
When it comes to driving safety is paramount, unfortunately there are some medical conditions which can increase the risk of someone being involved in a road accident. That is why certain medical conditions need to be disclosed to your insurer and the DVLA. Failing to do so can result in stiff penalties including a fine of up to £1000.
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What medical conditions need to be declared to the DVLA?
The DVLA has an extensive list of medical conditions which motorists need to declare. Declaring these conditions will not mean you’ll be automatically stopped from driving, however some more serious conditions may require you to either temporarily stop driving or require further assessment. Some conditions will unfortunately mean you will not be able to legally drive due to safety concerns.
According to the DVLA, you must notify them of any ‘notifiable’ condition or disability that could impact your ability to safely drive.
Here are some examples of conditions that would need to be reported.
Diabetes
Whilst diabetes that is easily managed isn’t an issue for most motorists, diabetes that requires treatment such as insulin can see you potentially placed on a restricted licence.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy can put you at risk of a motor accident and depending on how severe your condition may be, the DVLA may require you to be individually assessed in person. If you are given permission to continue to drive then you may still face requirements such as renewing your licence every 3 years as opposed to every 10 in order to monitor your condition and safety to drive.
Neurological conditions
Conditions such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons and motor neuron disease can all have serious impacts on a person’s daily life. Depending on the stage and severity of the condition, it is likely that motorists suffering from a neurological condition will be required to get regularly assessed in order to verify their safety to drive.
Physical disabilities
Depending on the type of disability and whether it can be successfully managed to allow for safe driving, the DVLA will likely need to asses physical disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Disabilities such as amputated limbs, chronic pain, spinal injuries or impaired motor skills will make driving more challenging and so the DVLA will require that individuals with these conditions are able to operate a motor vehicle safely. Certain modifications can be made to cars along with disabled car insurance policies in order to allow those with physical disabilities to enjoy driving without issue whilst some disabilties may unfortunately be a bar to driving.
Fainting
Fainting spells can pose a serious risk to motorist safety and is required to be assessed by the DVLA. Depending on the underlying reasons for the condition and it;s severity, the DVLA may impose certain restrictions or require regular assessments in order to determine suitability to hold a licence.
Hay fever
Hay fever medications can lead to impairment of motor skills and drousiness. Some sever cases of hay fever may require treatment that can potentially compromise a motorists ability to drive safely. It is important to declare if you suffer from hay fever and any medications used.
The DVLA has an extensive list of medical conditions and the appropriate guidance regarding what to do with each condition listed on their website. This list is updated and amended when necessary and contains a large number of conditions many will not be familiar with.
As a result, it is recommended that as a general rule of thumb, if you have a medical condition which could have the potential to impact you driving, declare this to the DVLA.
If you are unsure over whether a medical condition is relevant, then contacting the DVLA directly to confirm is your condition needs to be disclosed is also recommended. The DVLA will treat the information you give in confidence and not share this information with third parties. In some cases your details may be shared if requested with reason by police forces and other appropriate agencies, however these cases are exceptional.
What happens if I fail to disclose a medical condition to the DVLA?
The DVLA has strict requirements for the safety of UK road users, one of the ways they uphold this is by ensuring that driving licenses are not issued to those who may pose a risk to themselves or other motorists. As a result there is a requirement that certain relevant medical conditions be disclosed to the DVLA.
Failure to disclose a relevant medical condition which could impact your ability to drive along with deliberately false statements around your health could result in a £1000 fine and prosecution should you be involved in an accident.
what medical conditions have to be declared for car insurance?
Failing to disclose a medical condition that is relevant to your ability to drive can result in your insurer voiding your cover and leaving you liable to cover any damages from a resulting accident. Failure to disclose relevant medical conditions is regarded as insurance fraud and this can result in potential legal action in more extreme cases.
By failing to disclose relevant medical conditions to your insurer, you run the risk of the following.
- Cancellation of your insurance policy
- Denial of insurance claims
- Difficulty securing future insurance
- Fraud charges
If you are in doubt over whether you have a condition that may put you at risk while driving, it is recommended you contact your insurer directly before driving to confirm if it needs to be disclosed.
How do medical conditions affect my car insurance?
The impact of a medical condition on your insurance is complex as it really depends on the type of condition and your insurer. Some medical conditions put you at a higher risk of making a claim which is why insurers need to know about them.
Some conditions such as diabetes are viewed as higher risk than others by insurers and so can result in higher
premiums.
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. These can include the following circumstances.
- Your GP formally instructs 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.
For a full list of all medical conditions needing to be disclosed by the DVLA, see the following.
Getting car insurance with a medical condition
If you have a medical condition that may impact your premiums, don’t worry, getting cheap car insurance is still possible and doesn’t need to be difficult. By comparing multiple insurers you can find car insurance for medical conditions at a competitive price fast, that’s where Quotezone.co.uk can help. Compare over 110 insurance providers and save up to £504 on your premiums.
References
https://www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions