Which medical conditions do I need to tell DVLA about?

For drivers who have a health condition or disability that could affect their driving.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

You must tell DVLA if you develop a 'notifiable' medical condition or disability, or if one gets worse since you got your licence.

Examples include diabetes, epilepsy, fainting (syncope), heart conditions, sleep apnoea, strokes and glaucoma.
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a condition that affects your driving, and you could be prosecuted if you have an accident.
Car and motorcycle drivers can check and tell DVLA online; bus, coach and lorry drivers use forms.
DVLA may let you keep driving, give you a shorter licence for 1, 2, 3 or 5 years, ask you to adapt your car, or tell you to stop driving.

Different in Northern Ireland

Tell the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) instead.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Fine of up to £1,000
Short licences: 1, 2, 3 or 5 years
Stop driving 3+ months: surrender
NI: tell the DVA

What a notifiable medical condition is

A notifiable condition is a health condition or disability that could affect your ability to drive safely. The law says you must tell DVLA (the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) about it. You must also tell DVLA if a condition you already had has got worse since you got your licence.

Common examples are diabetes, epilepsy, fainting (called syncope), heart conditions, sleep apnoea, strokes and glaucoma. There are many more. GOV.UK has an online checker for car and motorcycle drivers, and an A to Z list for bus, coach and lorry drivers.

Some things do not need to be reported. For example, you do not need to tell DVLA if you are short-sighted, long-sighted or colour blind.

Who it applies to

Every licence holder in England, Scotland and Wales. Bus, coach and lorry drivers report using forms rather than online.

What happens if you do not tell DVLA

You can be fined up to £1,000.
You could be prosecuted if you have an accident.

How to tell DVLA

Use the GOV.UK checker or A to Z list to see if your condition must be reported.
If it must, car and motorcycle drivers can tell DVLA online. Bus, coach and lorry drivers fill in the right form for their condition.
Wait for a decision letter. You can usually keep driving while DVLA considers your case.

DVLA may contact your doctor or consultant, arrange a medical examination, or ask you to take an eyesight test, a driving assessment or a driving test. This can make it take longer.

What DVLA can decide

you can have a new licence as normal
you can have a shorter licence, lasting 1, 2, 3 or 5 years
you must adapt your car by fitting special controls
you must stop driving and give up your licence

If you get a shorter licence, DVLA sends a renewal letter 90 days before it runs out. You can renew online or by post.

When you must give up your licence

You should give up (surrender) your licence if your doctor tells you to stop driving for 3 months or more, your condition affects your driving for 3 months or more, or you do not meet the medical standards. Car and motorcycle drivers send a declaration form with their licence to DVLA. Giving it up yourself makes it easier to reapply later. Check with your doctor that you are fit to drive before you reapply.

If you disagree with the decision

Where you live	Who to appeal to	Time limit
England or Wales	Your local magistrates' court	6 months
Scotland	Your local sheriff's court	21 days

You must tell DVLA in writing that you are appealing. You can also send new medical evidence, or reapply when your letter says you can. Free legal help may be available through legal aid, and Citizens Advice can help too.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Licences are run by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). Tell the DVA about your condition, not DVLA.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check if you need to tell DVLA

Common questions

Can I keep driving while DVLA looks at my condition?

Usually, yes. DVLA says you can usually keep driving while it considers your application.

Do I have to give up my licence?

You must give it up if your doctor tells you to stop driving for 3 months or more, or your condition stops you meeting the medical standards.

Can I appeal a DVLA medical decision?

Yes. In England and Wales you appeal to a magistrates' court within 6 months. In Scotland you appeal to a sheriff's court within 21 days.

Official sources

1.Medical conditions, disabilities and driving (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions
2.Health conditions and driving (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving
3.Medical conditions and driving: what DVLA will decide (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions/what-dvla-will-decide
4.Medical conditions and driving (nidirect)www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/driving-licences/medical-conditions
5.Medical conditions and driving: what happens after you tell DVLA (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions/what-happens-after-you-tell-dvla
6.Giving up your driving licence (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/giving-up-your-driving-licence
7.Medical conditions and driving: renewing or reapplying for your licence (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions/renewing-or-reapplying-for-your-licence

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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