Do I need to tell the DVLA about my medical condition? Find out if you should still be driving here

DVLA Medical Conditions and Driving: What You Must Declare in 2026

Updated June 2026. There are more than 180 medical conditions that must be reported to the DVLA. Fail to declare and you face a £1,000 fine, possible prosecution, and your car insurance could be invalidated. This guide covers the most common conditions, whether you need to tell the DVLA, and exactly how to do it.

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Quick Reference: Do You Need to Tell the DVLA?

Use this table for a fast answer. Jump links take you to the full guidance for each condition further down the page.

Condition	Declare?	Key point
Alcohol problems	Yes	Always declare. Form DR1.
Absence seizures / epilepsy	Yes	Licence likely suspended. Reapplication timescales vary by seizure type.
Angina	No	Stop driving if symptoms occur at rest, while driving, or due to emotion.
Angioplasty / coronary bypass	No	Stop driving for 1 week (angioplasty) or 1 month (bypass).
Anxiety	Conditional	Declare only if it affects your driving.
Arthritis	Conditional	Declare if you need vehicle adaptations or special controls.
High blood pressure	Conditional	Only if treatment causes side-effects that affect driving.
Brain tumour	Yes – Updated 2025	New form BT1. Four-tier risk classification now applies.
Broken limbs	Conditional	Declare only if unable to drive for 3+ months.
Cancer	Conditional	Declare if it affects the brain/nervous system or your medication.
Heart attack / cardiac conditions	No	Stop driving for 1 month; restart only when doctor approves.
Cataracts	Conditional	Declare if both eyes affected or other eye condition present.
Deafness / hearing loss	No	No requirement to inform the DVLA.
Depression	Conditional	Declare if condition or medication affects driving.
Diabetes	Conditional — Updated 2025	Depends on treatment type. New glucose monitoring rules apply.
Drug misuse	Yes	Illegal drugs or misused prescription medicines. Form DG1.
Glaucoma	Conditional	Declare if both eyes affected or vision falls below standards.
Heart palpitations / tachycardia	Yes	Form H1. ICD fitted – automatic loss of commercial licence (2025).
HIV	No	No requirement to declare.
Mini-stroke (TIA)	Yes	Stop driving 1 month. Form STR1.
OCD	Conditional	Declare if it could affect your driving.
Pacemaker	Yes	Must declare – unlike most other heart conditions.
Excessive daytime sleepiness	Conditional	Declare if caused by a medical condition, e.g. sleep apnoea.
Spinal conditions / surgery	Yes	Form G1.
Stroke	Conditional	Declare only if still having problems 1 month after the stroke.

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The Golden Rule: When Must You Tell the DVLA?

You must tell the DVLA as soon as you are diagnosed with a notifiable medical condition or disability, or if an existing condition gets worse since you got your licence.

• You could be fined up to £1,000 for not reporting a notifiable condition.
• If you have an accident while unfit to drive, you can be prosecuted.
• Your car insurance may be invalidated, leaving you personally liable for all costs.
• Your doctor can notify the DVLA themselves if they believe you cannot or will not report – patient confidentiality is not absolute when road safety is at risk.

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A–Z: Medical Conditions and Driving

For the complete official list visit gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving. The conditions below cover the most commonly searched questions.

Alcohol Problems

Must you declare? Yes – always.

Any alcohol-related problems must be declared. The 2025 DVLA update introduced a new standalone high-risk offenders section with clearer criteria for licence suspension and relicensing. Your licence may be revoked until you can demonstrate you are no longer dependent.

How to declare: Form DR1 (online or download)

Absence Seizures, Epilepsy and Fits

Must you declare? Yes.

Any epileptic attack, seizure, fit or blackout must be declared. Your licence will almost certainly be suspended; the reapplication timescale depends on the type and frequency of seizures. The 2025 update clarified that seizures related to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment now fall under specific DVLA standards.

How to declare: Form FEP1 | Epilepsy and driving guidance (gov.uk)

Angina

Must you declare? No – not required, even if you are on medication.

You must stop driving if you experience attacks while resting, driving, or as a result of emotion. Only return to driving when symptoms are fully controlled and your doctor agrees.

Further reading: DVLA guide to driving with heart conditions

Angioplasty and Coronary Bypass Surgery

Must you declare? No.

No need to inform the DVLA after angioplasty or coronary bypass. You must stop driving for at least one week (angioplasty) or one month (bypass), and only restart when your doctor confirms it is safe.

Anxiety

Must you declare? Conditional – only if it affects your driving.

The 2025 DVLA update introduced specific standards for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an increasingly common treatment for anxiety and depression, meaning some patients may now need to check whether their treatment triggers a reporting requirement. Consult your doctor if unsure.

How to declare: Form M1V questionnaire

Arthritis

Must you declare? Conditional – only if you need vehicle adaptations or special controls.

Speak to your GP about whether your arthritis affects your ability to drive safely, even if adaptations are not currently needed.

How to declare: Form G1 – vehicle modifications and special controls

High Blood Pressure

Must you declare? Conditional – only if your treatment causes side-effects that affect driving.

High blood pressure alone does not need to be declared. If your medication causes dizziness, fainting or any other symptom that affects your driving, you must inform the DVLA.

How to declare (if applicable): Form BP1

Brain Tumour – Updated 2025

Must you declare? Yes.

A new DVLA form (BT1) was introduced in 2025, replacing all older guidance. Drivers are now assessed under four risk categories (very low / low / medium / high) covering brain tumours, medulloblastoma, meningioma and pituitary tumours. Commercial drivers face stricter rules across all categories.

How to declare: Report online at gov.uk or use form BT1.

Broken Limbs

Must you declare? Conditional – only if you cannot drive for more than three months.

Many drivers are unaware of this rule. If your broken arm, leg or other limb stops you driving for three months or longer, you must tell the DVLA or risk a £1,000 fine.

How to declare: Form G1

Cancer

Must you declare? Conditional.

Cancer does not generally need to be declared. You must tell the DVLA if any of the following apply:

• You develop problems with your brain or nervous system.
• Your doctor says you may not be fit to drive.
• Your vehicle needs to be adapted for your condition.
• Your medication could affect your ability to drive safely.

How to declare: Form G1

Heart Attack and Cardiac Conditions

Must you declare? No – for most cardiac conditions.

You do not need to report a heart attack or most cardiac conditions to the DVLA. You must stop driving for at least one month after a heart attack and restart only when your doctor approves. The 2025 update tightened standards for aortic aneurysms: private drivers must now stop once the aneurysm reaches 6.5cm (commercial drivers: 5.5cm).

Further reading: DVLA guide to driving with heart conditions

Cataracts

Must you declare? Conditional.

A cataract in one eye does not need to be declared if the other eye is healthy. You must declare if both eyes are affected or if there is any other condition in the other eye. After surgery you must meet the standard visual requirements for driving.

How to declare: Report online or use form V1.

Deafness and Hearing Loss

Must you declare? No – there is no requirement to inform the DVLA of any degree of hearing loss.

Depression

Must you declare? Conditional – only if your condition or medication affects your driving.

This is not always obvious to the person experiencing it. Speak to your doctor for an objective assessment. The 2025 update introduced clearer standards for functional neurological disorders linked to depression.

How to declare: Form M1

Diabetes – Updated 2025

Must you declare? Conditional – depends on your treatment.

The 2025 DVLA update made significant changes to glucose monitoring requirements and rules for those with pancreas transplants. Speak to your doctor or diabetes specialist to confirm your current obligations, especially if your management has recently changed.

How to declare: Form DIAB1

Drug Misuse (Illegal or Prescription)

Must you declare? Yes – always.

You must declare if you have misused illegal drugs or prescription medicines. The 2025 DVLA update added a new standalone section for high-risk offenders with clearer relicensing criteria.

How to declare: Form DG1

Glaucoma

Must you declare? Conditional.

If glaucoma affects one eye only and your other eye has normal vision, no declaration is needed. You must declare if glaucoma affects both eyes, if there is any condition in the other eye, or if you cannot meet the visual standards required for driving.

How to declare: Report online or use form V1.

Heart Palpitations and Tachycardia

Must you declare? Yes – both must be reported.

Unlike most cardiac conditions, palpitations and tachycardia must be declared. The DVLA will assess the risk before you continue driving. Under 2025 rules, drivers fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) automatically and permanently lose their commercial licence.

How to declare: Form H1

HIV

Must you declare? No. The 2025 DVLA update modernised guidance here to reflect the low driving impact for people receiving effective treatment.

Mini-Stroke (Transient Ischaemic Attack – TIA)

Must you declare? Yes.

A TIA must be reported to the DVLA. You must stop driving immediately for at least one month and only restart when a doctor confirms it is safe. Licences are typically revoked for one year following a TIA, with relicensing subject to independent medical assessment.

How to declare: Report online or use form STR1.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Must you declare? Conditional – only if it could affect your driving. Speak to your doctor for an honest assessment.

How to declare: Form M1V

Pacemaker

Must you declare? Yes – this surprises many drivers.

Unlike most heart conditions, a fitted pacemaker must always be declared to the DVLA.

How to declare: Report online or use the VOCH1 form.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Apnoea

Must you declare? Conditional – only if caused by a medical condition.

Feeling tired at the wheel is a reason to pull over and rest – it is not a reason to contact the DVLA. But excessive sleepiness caused by a medical condition such as obstructive sleep apnoea must be declared. DVLA guidance on sleep apnoea was updated in 2025 following patient group advocacy.

How to declare: Form SL1

Spinal Conditions, Injuries and Surgery

Must you declare? Yes.

Spinal conditions and injuries must be reported. If you have had spinal surgery, check with your doctor before getting behind the wheel.

How to declare: Form G1

Stroke

Must you declare? Conditional – only if you are still having problems one month after the stroke.

You must not drive for at least one month regardless. Minor limb weakness alone after a stroke does not require notification unless it restricts the type of vehicle you can drive.

How to declare: Report online or use form STR1.

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What Happens After You Tell the DVLA?

The DVLA aims to issue a decision within six weeks. If it will take longer, they will write to you. You can usually continue driving while your case is assessed – unless you feel unsafe. The DVLA processed over 830,000 medical licensing decisions in 2024/25, with demand rising, so factor in time before any planned trip.

During assessment the DVLA may contact your doctor or consultant, arrange an independent medical examination, or ask you to take a driving assessment or eyesight test.

Possible Outcomes

• Licence renewed unchanged.
• Shorter licence issued – 1, 2, 3 or 5 years – requiring regular renewal to confirm your condition remains stable. These licences look identical to standard licences but carry restriction codes on the reverse.
• Vehicle adaptation required – special controls fitted to allow you to drive safely.
• Licence revoked – with a specified period before you can reapply.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to tell my car insurer as well as the DVLA?

Yes – it is a separate obligation. Failing to declare a notifiable condition to your insurer can invalidate your policy entirely, leaving you personally liable for all costs in any claim.

Can I still drive while the DVLA is assessing my application?

Usually yes. You can continue driving while you await a decision unless you feel unsafe to do so. For certain conditions — epilepsy, TIA, some cardiac events – you must stop immediately regardless of where you are in the process.

Will my doctor tell the DVLA without my permission?

Patient confidentiality is not absolute when road safety is at stake. A doctor can notify the DVLA if they believe you cannot or will not report yourself, and they do not need your consent to do so.

Do the same rules apply in Northern Ireland?

No. In Northern Ireland, conditions are declared to the DVA (Driver and Vehicle Agency), not the DVLA. Visit nidirect.gov.uk for details and the correct forms.

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Useful Links

• Full A–Z list of notifiable conditions – gov.uk
• Report a medical condition online – gov.uk
• Driving with heart conditions – DVLA guide
• Epilepsy and driving – DVLA guide
• Northern Ireland (DVA) – medical conditions and driving
• APH Travel & Motoring Know-How – more driving guides
• Latest travel and motoring news from APH

This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Rules for bus, coach and lorry drivers (Group 2 licences) are different and more stringent – always consult a medical professional. Information correct as of June 2026; check gov.uk for the latest DVLA standards.