Surprising Medical Conditions You Should Notify the DVLA About
When you first apply for your driving licence, you have to declare any medical conditions that may affect your driving. After that, you might not think about how health issues could affect your driving. However, the DVLA requires you to notify them about many common health problems or face a hefty fine. Some of the conditions might come as a surprise.
You would expect to notify the agency if you lose a limb or develop a problem with your eyes. But common conditions that you might need to tell them about include cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, low blood sugar, Parkinson’s disease and Tourette’s syndrome.
Some mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, paranoia or dementia could also be notifiable. Sometimes, it’s not the condition but the medication that could affect your driving ability.
The DVLA says that you must tell them if:
- you develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or disability
- a condition or disability has got worse since you got your licence
Notifiable conditions are anything that could affect your ability to drive safely. The full list can be found here.
Failing to notify them could land you with a £1,000 fine or you could face prosecution if you are involved in an accident where a notifiable health condition is deemed to be a factor.
Always consult your doctor, but here are some of the stranger conditions you might need to tell the DVLA about.
Déjà vu
Bet you didn’t see this one coming! Déjà vu is something most of us have experienced. However, if your déjà vu is connected with epilepsy or seizures, your doctor might advise you to notify the DVLA.
Tourette’s Syndrome
Drivers with Tourette’s syndrome should tell the DVLA if they think their ability to drive is affected. You should also be aware if your condition worsens or you take medication with side effects.
Hysterectomy or Caesarean Section
After a hysterectomy, C-section, or other major surgery, most people may be able to drive after a few weeks. But if your doctor considers you to be unfit to drive after three months, you might need to inform the DVLA.
Vertigo
Vertigo can cause recurring, sudden, or disabling dizziness that can affect your driving. Similarly, labyrinthitis is an inner ear condition that can lead to loss of hearing, dizziness and nausea. With either condition, you should ask your doctor’s advice and tell the DVLA.
Depression
According to figures from the mental health charity Mind, one in four people in England will suffer some kind of mental health issue, with one in six reporting a common problem such as anxiety or depression each week. Consult your doctor, but if a problem affects your driving, you should tell the DVLA.
Private Number Plates
A temporary break from driving and the need to rest might give you the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax and search for your perfect personalised registration number. CarReg has a database with millions of available personalised number plates.
