Disability Driving Instructors

DVLA state that “You must let us know if you have ever had, or currently suffer from, any medical condition that may affect your ability to drive. If you are not sure whether to tell us about a medical condition, your doctor should be able to give you advice”. The DVLA website: https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving contains more information, with a comprehensive  A-Z list of medical conditions.

If you need to notify DVLA, contact them by:

phone: 0300 790 6806

webchat: https://contact.dvla.gov.uk/drivers-medical

email: https://contact.dvla.gov.uk/driver/capture_transaction_type?transaction_type_id=drivers_medical

or by post: DVLA, Drivers Medical Unit, Swansea, SA99 1TU

Give your full name and address (If the address on your licence is incorrect tell them), date of birth, driving licence number and as much information about your medical condition as possible.

What happens next? The DVLA Customer Service Guide explains what happens once you have notified the Drivers Medical Unit about your condition.

It may well be possible for you to return to driving after notifying DVLA; if you meet the eligibility criteria you may have continuing entitlement to drive under Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 so long as you have either made a valid application to DVLA to renew your licence or made a valid notification of a health condition or disability, note that Section 88 entitlement is not available if your licence has been revoked by DVLA. They may require you to complete a medical questionnaire which must be returned to them within the required time limits. The questionnaire will ask for details of your medical condition and will ask for your consent for release of medical information from your doctors. Alternatively these medical forms can be downloaded from the DVLA A-Z list of medical conditions.

Your doctor may suggest that a driving assessment would be advised before returning to driving, see the following page “Do I need a practical driving assessment?”

If you decide to stop driving or are advised by your doctor to stop, you will need to tell DVLA and are advised to voluntarily surrender your licence. Re-instatement of driving entitlement following a voluntary surrender of your driving licence is a much easier process than attempting to re-apply for a licence following a compulsory revocation by DVLA. Download the declaration of voluntary surrender form from the website, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/declaration-of-voluntary-surrender, fill it in and send it to DVLA along with your driving licence (both parts).

The address for DVLA is on the form.

Updated 21.02.2022