Medical conditions, disabilities and driving
1. Telling DVLA about a medical condition or disability
You must tell DVLA if you have a driving licence and:
- you develop a 'notifiable' medical condition or disability
- a condition or disability has got worse since you got your licence
Notifiable conditions include epilepsy, strokes, other neurological and mental health conditions, or physical disabilities and visual impairments that could affect your ability to drive safely.
Check if you need to tell DVLA
Find out if your condition could affect your driving. If it’s ‘notifiable’ you’ll also find the forms you need to send to DVLA. Bus, coach and lorry drivers have their own form for some conditions.
You might still be able to drive with a notifiable condition. You'll need to answer questions about how your condition affects you  your information will stay confidential.
Contact DVLA if you’re not sure what to do.
You could be fined up to £1,000 if you don't tell DVLA about a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely. You could also be prosecuted if you have an accident.
First licence or renewal
You must also tell DVLA about notifiable conditions if you:
You’ll be asked for this information in your application form - you don’t need to contact DVLA separately.
Surrendering your licence
You must surrender your licence to DVLA if your doctor tells you to stop driving because of your medical condition.
2. What happens after you tell DVLA
DVLA aims to make a decision within 3 weeks. However, if more information is needed about your medical condition it could take up to 90 working days, as DVLA might:
- contact your doctor or consultant
- arrange for you to be examined
- ask you to take a driving assessment, or an eyesight or driving test
Check if you can still drive
Ask your GP if it's safe for you to continue driving while you wait to hear back from DVLA.
If you've told DVLA about a condition when applying to renew your licence, follow the guidance about driving that was in the form.
Contact DVLA if you need advice or to check on your case.
3. What DVLA will decide
Once DVLA has assessed your medical condition or disability you’ll be told if:
- you can keep your old licence, or get a new one
- you can have a shorter licence - for 1, 2 or 3 years - with a review at the end of that period if you want to reapply
- you need to adapt your car by fitting special controls
- you must stop driving and give up your licence
You need to adapt your vehicle
If you have been told that you must adapt your car, you get an independent assessment of your adaptation needs through the Forum of Mobility Centres.
Find out more about adapting your vehicle and where to get special controls fitted through the Ricability charity.
You must stop driving
You'll be given a medical reason why you must stop driving, and be told if and when you can reapply for your licence. You'll also be sent a notice that explains your right to appeal against the decision.
4. Renewing or reapplying for your licence
If you've been issued with a short period driving licence, DVLA will send you renewal application documents 90 days before your licence is due to expire.
If your licence was taken away, you need to check with your doctor that you meet the medical standards of fitness to drive before you reapply.
Find out how to reapply for your licence if it was taken away following a medical condition.
5. Blue Badge and Motability
Blue Badge scheme
The Blue Badge scheme helps disabled drivers and passengers park closer to their destinations.
Find out more information about the Blue Badge scheme from your local council.
Motability scheme
Independent charity Motability gives disabled people the chance to lease a car at an affordable price.
Contact Motability to find out more about the scheme.
Motability
Telephone: 0845 456 4566
Textphone: 0845 675 0009
Find out about call charges
6. Tax disc exemptions
You may be entitled to a free tax disc if you're disabled.
Get your first free tax disc
New vehicle - take your exemption and insurance certificates to your dealership.
Used vehicle - change to a free tax disc at a Post Office branch.
Find a Post Office that issues tax discs - choose ‘Vehicle tax’ from the menu. You can also call 0845 722 3344. Find out about call charges.
Read about applying for a free tax disc.
Renew your free tax disc
You can renew your free tax disc online or by phone.
Refunds on your current tax disc
Once you've got your disabled tax disc, you can apply for a refund if you've got any complete months remaining on your old tax disc.
7. Toll concessions
You may be able to pay a reduced rate or nothing at some river crossings, bridges and tunnels if you’re disabled. In most cases, you have to apply in advance to get a concession.
Find out more about concessions you can get at:
- Cleddau Bridge (A477 Pembroke Dock)
- Clifton Suspension Bridge (B3129 Bristol)
- Dartford - Thurrock River Crossing (River Thames - A282/M25 Junction 1a)
- Humber Bridge (near Hull)
- Itchen Bridge (A3025 Woolston-Southampton)
- M6 Motorway (Birmingham Toll)
- Mersey Tunnel (Liverpool-Wirral)
- Severn Bridge (M48 England  Wales) and Second Severn Crossing (M4 England - Wales)
- Tamar Bridge (A38 Plymouth-Liskeard) and Torpoint Ferry (A374 Plymouth-Torpoint)
- Tyne Tunnel (near Newcastle)
- Whitchurch Bridge (B471 Pangbourne-Whitchurch)
Toll concessions can change - check before you travel.
8. Apply for a dropped kerb
A ‘dropped kerb’ may make it easier to get from your car to your house. It involves lowering the kerbstones and making a small ramp from the road to your driveway.
You can apply for a dropped kerb outside your home if you live in England.