Drivers are being reminded that some medical issues have to be reported to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they could affect road safety, and mental health conditions can be among them. If you do not disclose a notifiable condition when you should, you risk a significant penalty.
The DVLA notes: “You must tell DVLA if you’re diagnosed with anxiety and it affects your ability to drive safely. If your driving is not affected by anxiety, you do not need to tell DVLA. Ask your doctor if you’re unsure.”
If anxiety affects your ability to drive safely and you do not inform the DVLA, you could be fined up to £1,000. And if it is linked to a crash, you may also face prosecution.
The same rules and fine applies to people with depression. The DVLA further notes: “You only need to tell DVLA if your depression affects your ability to drive safely.”
It adds: “You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result. Ask your doctor if you’re not sure if your depression will affect your driving.”
Anxiety and depression are just two of the conditions that may need reporting to the DVLA. The agency keeps a wider list of “notifiable” medical issues that could affect safe driving, including sleep apnoea, fainting (syncope), certain heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation or having a pacemaker, as well as epilepsy and strokes.
DVLA medical conditions – full list
Medical conditions drivers may need to tell the DVLA about:
Tell the DVLA
Remember, drivers can be fined up to £1,000 if they do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects their driving. Motorists can voluntarily give up their licence and may choose to do this if, for example:
- Their doctor tells you to stop driving for 3 months or more
- Their medical condition affects their ability to drive safely and lasts for 3 months or more
- They do not meet the required standards for driving because of their medical condition
The DVLA concludes: “You’ll need to tell DVLA and send them your licence. If you have a medical condition that affects your driving and do not voluntarily give up your licence, you must inform DVLA. They will decide if you can continue holding a driving licence.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
