Telling DVLA about a medical condition online: how it works and who can use it

What has changed

DVLA has expanded its online medical service so car and motorcycle licence holders can notify a wider range of conditions online rather than on paper. Applying online can cut processing time, with some applications handled up to 10 days faster than by post, at a time DVLA says demand for medical applications is exceptionally high. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, guides you through each step, and lets you track your application online. In many cases DVLA can take the first action, such as referring an application to a healthcare professional, within 24 hours.

Who can use it and what it covers

The online route is for car and motorcycle (group 1) licence holders; the tool covers around 1,600 medical conditions. You can check on GOV.UK how a specific condition may affect your driving and, where required, notify DVLA in the same journey. Drivers with more than one medical condition can now renew a medical driving licence online for the first time, and refresh the licence photo at the same time. More than 60,000 drivers have already used the service, which has grown almost 50 percent in digital uptake over the last year.

What counts as a notifiable condition

Many conditions must be reported to DVLA if they affect your driving, including epilepsy and blackouts, certain diabetes treatments, some heart conditions, sleep apnoea, and conditions affecting vision. Whether you must tell DVLA depends on the condition and its severity; the GOV.UK checker sets out the rule for each of the roughly 1,600 conditions listed. You must also tell your insurer about a medical condition that affects driving; not doing so can invalidate cover. If you are not sure, check the condition on GOV.UK rather than assume, as the duty to report sits with the driver.

Why it matters to report

Not telling DVLA about a notifiable condition that affects your driving can bring a fine of up to 1,000 pounds. You can also be prosecuted if you are involved in an accident as a result of a condition you did not declare. Reporting does not automatically mean losing your licence; DVLA assesses each case and may issue a shorter-term medical licence, add conditions, or take no action. Driving licence photos must be renewed every 10 years in any case, and the medical service now lets some drivers do both together.

How to use the service

Go to GOV.UK, search for the condition using the find-a-condition tool, and follow the steps to notify DVLA where required. Have your driving licence, National Insurance number and details of your condition and any treating clinicians to hand. You can track the application online and respond to any request from DVLA or its medical advisers. Drivers who cannot use the online service can still notify DVLA using the relevant paper forms; planned changes will extend the online route to age-70 renewals and first-time provisional applicants.

Frequently asked questions

How much faster is applying online?

DVLA says some medical applications are processed up to 10 days faster online than by post, and it can take a first action such as a clinician referral within 24 hours.

How many conditions does the tool cover?

Around 1,600. The GOV.UK find-a-condition tool tells you whether a specific condition needs to be reported and how it may affect your driving.

What happens if I do not tell DVLA?

Not reporting a notifiable condition that affects your driving can bring a fine of up to 1,000 pounds, and prosecution if you have an accident as a result.

Will I lose my licence if I report a condition?

Not automatically. DVLA assesses each case and may issue a shorter-term medical licence, add conditions, or take no action. Many drivers keep driving.

Do I still need to tell my insurer?

Yes. A medical condition that affects driving should be declared to your insurer as well as DVLA; failing to do so can invalidate your cover.