DVLA advice for common conditions

Question 1

What is the DVLA advice for epilepsy?

Answer 1

Must tell the DVLA of diagnosis and any seizures.
Stop driving.
To resume: seizure free for 1 year; if due to changed anti-epileptics can reapply for licence when seizure free for 6 months and swapped back to previous meds

Question 2

What is the DVLA advice for first fits?

Answer 2

Must tell the DVLA.
Stop driving.
To resume: seizure free for 6 months and not high risk of another seizure (otherwise seizure free for 1 year).

Question 3

What is the DVLA advice for TIA?

Answer 3

Stop driving for 1 month
Restart if doctor says it’s safe
Tell DVLA after 1 month if any residual symptoms.

Question 4

What is the DVLA advice for stroke?

Answer 4

Stop driving for 1 month
Restart if doctor says it’s safe
Tell DVLA after 1 month if any: weakness in arms or legs; problems with eyesight; problems with balance/memory/understanding.

Question 5

What is the DVLA advice for dementia?

Answer 5

Must tell the DVLA
Medical assessment from doctor

Question 6

What is the DVLA advice for angina?

Answer 6

Don’t need to tell DVLA.
Can continue to drive unless angina while resting, driving, or with emotion - then stop driving until symptoms are under control.

Question 7

What is the DVLA advice for heart attack?

Answer 7

Don’t need to tell the DVLA.
Stop driving for: 1 week after successful angioplasty, 4 weeks if unsuccessful angioplasty or no angioplasty.
Restart if doctor says safe.

Question 8

What is the DVLA advice for pacemakers?

Answer 8

Must tell the DVLA.
Medical assessment.

Question 9

What is the DVLA advice for diabetes?

Answer 9

Need to tell the DVLA if: long-term insulin treatment or disabling hypoglycaemia.
Precautions if on insulin: carry glucose meter and blood strips at all times (on top of CGM if using that); check sugars <2 hrs prior to start of journey and every 2 hours thereafter - if CBG <5 eat snack, if CBG <4 do not drive; don’t resume driving until 45 minutes after finger-prick glucose is >5; bring fast-acting carbohydrate everywhere.

Question 10

What is the DVLA advice for visual impairment?

Answer 10

Must tell DVLA if: eye conditions affecting both eyes - blepharospasm, diabetic retinopathy, diplopia, glaucoma, night blindness, retinitis pigmentosa; told don’t meet visual standards.
Monocular vision: tell DVLA only if not meeting visual standards.

Visual standards: read number plate form 20 metres away, no double vision, normal field of vision.