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Medical conditions, disabilities and driving

You must tell the DVLA if you have, or have ever had, a medical condition or an impairment that may affect your driving.

If you hold a current driving licence and have a 'notifiable' medical condition or disability, you must tell the DVLA right away. You should not wait until your licence is due for renewal.

You must also tell the DVLA if your medical condition or disability has become worse since your licence was issued or if you develop a new medical condition or disability.

Sometimes the best option can be to surrender your license, and reapply for its restoration at a later date.

'Notifiable' medical conditions and disabilities include epilepsy, strokes and other neurological conditions, mental health problems, physical disabilities and visual impairments. There is information about how to tell the DVLA in the general motoring section of Directgov.

The research charity Ricability publishes booklets aimed at motorists with particular needs, including motoring after amputation, receiving a brain injury or having a stroke, and motoring with arthritis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or restricted growth.

• How to tell DVLA about a medical condition (general motoring section)
• Mobility publications by Ricability Opens new window

New drivers and the provisional driving licence

Before you can learn to drive a car, moped or motorcycle, you must apply for a provisional driving licence. If you have a notifiable medical condition or disability you must declare it on the application form.

The DVLA aims to deliver your provisional driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application. It might take longer if they have to check on your health or personal details.

• Applying for a provisional driving licence (general motoring section)

Motoring information on Directgov

Directgov contains a lot of general information about motoring, from owning a vehicle, road safety and crime to personalised number plates and MOT.

• Motoring information (general motoring section)