The guidance

The DVLA’s ‘Assessing fitness to drive – a guide for medical professionals’ outlines a number of medical conditions and their impact on driving.

The driver is legally responsible for informing the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about a condition that makes them possibly unfit to drive.

The doctor should nevertheless explain to the patient that their condition may affect their ability to drive, and that they have a legal duty to inform the DVLA.

The GMC’s guide to confidentiality advises that if a patient refuses to accept the diagnosis or dismisses the effect of the condition on their ability to drive, you can suggest that they seek a second opinion, and help arrange for them to do so. You should also advise the patient not to drive in the meantime.

If a patient continues to drive while at risk, you should make every reasonable effort to persuade them to stop. With the patient’s consent, you may discuss their concerns with the patient’s relatives, friends or carers.

If you discover that a patient has been driving against your advice, you should contact the DVLA immediately and disclose any relevant medical information, in confidence, to the medical adviser.

Before contacting the DVLA you should try to inform the patient of your decision to disclose personal information. You should then also inform the patient in writing.

Fitness to drive

Fitness to drive