Medical Rules for Drivers

As a car driver, you are required to meet certain medical standards in order to legally drive a car in the UK. As well as the initial eyesight test that forms part of the driving test, you are also obliged to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Association (DVLA) of any medical conditions that may impact on your ability to drive safely. Here are some of the conditions that have medical rules attached to them.

Epilepsy

If you are epileptic, it's possible that you might suffer a fit whilst at the wheel. If this happens to you, you will need to give up driving for one year, at which point you will have a medical review to determine whether you are fit to start driving again. As long as you don't have any more seizures, you can keep renewing your license until the age of seventy. The DVLA epilepsy regulations state that epileptic drivers be granted a three-year license, as long as they meet the regulations and have been seizure free for at least seven years. The DVLA needs to be informed of this medical condition.

Narcolepsy

There is a relatively high chance that narcolepsy sufferers will fall asleep whilst driving. If you are diagnosed with the condition, you should stop driving straight away. If you symptoms are considered to be manageable, you will be allowed to continue driving with a license of between one and three years (pending regular medical reviews). The DVLA needs to be informed of this medical condition.

Chronic Neurological Conditions

This category includes Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease (and other muscle and movement conditions that are likely to have an effect on judgement and co-ordination). You can still be granted a license, as long as a medical review confirms that your symptoms won't impact on your driving ability. If you need specific controls to be restricted, this needs to be listed on your license.

Angina

Angina sufferers are allowed to drive, but you should refrain from doing so when your symptoms present themselves. The DVLA don't need to be notified of this medical condition.

Diabetes Mellitus

Sufferers need to be able to spot the warning signs before hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) becomes problematic. As long as you meet the required visual standards that all drivers are expected to pass (for example, the number plate test), you are allowed to have a license lasting from one to three years. The DVLA needs to be informed of this medical condition.

Vision

As long as you can meet the necessary visual standards for safe driving, you shouldn't have a problem. However, if you only have vision is one eye (monocular vision), you need to inform the DVLA of this. If they deem that you have sufficiently adapted to this, they may still allow you to drive, as long as the vision in your other eye is good enough to meet the eyesight standards for driving.

These medical rules apply predominantly for car drivers and motorcyclists. If you drive a heavy goods vehicle (or similar), the medical rules will often by different, particularly for conditions such as narcolepsy. If you're not sure of the medical rules for your vehicle category and medical condition, you can download the booklet on medical rules from the DVLA website.