DVLA Seeks Views on Driver Licensing for People with Medical Conditions

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a call for evidence to gather opinions on how the current medical licensing framework and process could be improved. The call for evidence is open to anyone with an interest in the topic, including drivers, medical professionals, road safety experts, and the general public.

The DVLA is responsible for assessing the fitness to drive of individuals with medical conditions. It does this by considering a range of factors, including the severity of the condition, the type of medication being taken, and the impact of the condition on the driver’s ability to control a vehicle safely.

The call for evidence is seeking input on a number of areas, including:

• How the DVLA could better support drivers with medical conditions.
• How the DVLA could improve its assessment process to ensure that it is fair and consistent.
• How the DVLA could better communicate with drivers and medical professionals about driver licensing requirements.

The DVLA is particularly interested in hearing from people who have personal experience of driving with a medical condition, or who have supported someone who does. The agency is also interested in hearing from people who have expertise in medical assessments, driver training, or road safety.

The call for evidence closes on 22 October 2023. Responses can be submitted online, by email, or by post.

Why is the DVLA issuing a call for evidence?

The DVLA is issuing a call for evidence because it wants to ensure that its driver licensing framework and process is as effective as possible. The agency wants to make sure that it is supporting drivers with medical conditions in a way that allows them to maintain their mobility and independence, while also protecting the safety of other road users.

The DVLA is also aware that the medical landscape is constantly changing. New treatments and technologies are being developed all the time, and the agency needs to make sure that its driver licensing system is able to keep up.

What are the implications of the DVLA’s call for evidence?

The DVLA’s call for evidence could lead to a number of changes to the way that driver licensing is handled for people with medical conditions. The agency may decide to introduce new guidance for drivers and medical professionals, or it may make changes to its assessment process.

It is also possible that the DVLA will recommend changes to legislation. For example, the agency may call for the introduction of new medical standards for drivers, or it may recommend changes to the way that medical conditions are reported to the DVLA.

What should people do if they want to respond to the DVLA’s call for evidence?

Anyone who is interested in responding to the DVLA’s call for evidence can do so by visiting the DVLA website. The call for evidence document provides information on how to submit a response, and it also includes a list of questions to consider.

The DVLA is particularly interested in hearing from people who have personal experience of driving with a medical condition, or who have supported someone who does. The agency is also interested in hearing from people who have expertise in medical assessments, driver training, or road safety.