People with a common heart problem could risk having to pay £1,000 every time they get behind the wheel. In the UK, high blood pressure is incredibly common, with recent figures claiming that around 16 million adults in the UK (about one in three) have it.
For the vast majority of day-to-day drivers, having this in their health records will not typically impact their ability to drive safely. But the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does have strict rules about the risks of certain health problems, including high blood pressure.
People who do not inform the DVLA of any serious health risks – including serious high blood pressure – could face a massive fine. If you are involved in an accident and it is discovered you hid a disqualifying medical condition, you could also face criminal charges too.
The DVLA website says: “You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.”
I have high blood pressure. What do I need to do?
For the majority of cases, drivers with high blood pressure should be able to continue driving as normal. It is only when blood pressure readings reach a certain level that driving becomes a risk to the driver and the wider public.
The DVLA has similar rules regardless of what type of vehicle you drive. For example, car and motorcycle drivers generally “do not need to tell DVLA if [they] have high blood pressure”.
The website added: “You must stop driving if a doctor says you have malignant hypertension (a sudden rise in your blood pressure, also known as accelerated hypertension). You can drive again when a doctor confirms that your condition is well controlled.”
In the UK, the threshold for malignant hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 180/120 or higher. For context, a typical healthy adult reading should measure at 120/80 or below.
For those who drive a bus, coach, or lorry for work, the rules are exactly the same. The DVLA said: “You can drive again when a doctor confirms that your condition is well controlled.”
You do not need to tell DVLA if you have low blood pressure (with consistent readings of 90/60 or lower). You only need to tell DVLA if you develop a health condition that affects your driving, such as dizziness or fainting.
The DVLA has a full A-Z list on its website of health conditions that could carry the same £1,000 fine risk. Use the free tool to check if there are any specific medical conditions that the driving authority needs to know about.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
