UK motorists could be hit with a hefty £1,000 fine and the possibility of prosecution if they neglect to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about two crucial details. The DVLA has issued a stern reminder to drivers that they "need to tell" the agency if they have any physical health concerns that might compromise their driving abilities.
This includes both new medical conditions or disabilities, as well as any worsening of pre-existing ones. The DVLA, responsible for keeping the records of driver and vehicle registrations throughout the UK, operates as an executive arm of the Government.
The organisation is tasked with overseeing driver licenses, vehicle registrations, and various related services. At present, the DVLA's records boast over 52 million driver entries, in addition to more than 46 million vehicle logs.
Glaucoma is among the conditions that require you to notify the DVLA about
As stated on the Government website, it’s critical for licensees to notify the DVLA under two circumstances:
These "notifiable" conditions encompass all health issues that could impinge upon the safety of driving, ranging from but not exclusive to:
As reported by LancashireLive, a full list of conditions can be found on GOV.UK. The DVLA warns: "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."
Additionally, "You could also be prosecuted if you have an accident."
You are required to hand over your licence to the DVLA if a doctor advises against driving for a stretch of three months or more
Declaring your condition to the DVLA
For holders of car or motorcycle licences, options include:
Afterwards, you'll be provided with instructions on reporting your condition, which may entail utilising the online tool or completing a paper form. Residents of Northern Ireland are advised to contact the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), and individuals uncertain about the process should reach out to the DVLA.
You're required to surrender your driving licence to the DVLA under specific circumstances:
The DVLA states: "You can apply to get your licence back when you meet the medical standards for driving again." You also have a duty to inform the DVLA of medical conditions that could affect your driving when you:
But you’ll be asked for this information in your application form. You do not need to contact DVLA separately.