Do I need to tell DVLA about a medical condition?
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In short: Yes if you have a driving licence and a notifiable condition — or one that has got worse — that could affect safe driving. Car and motorcycle holders in Great Britain can check and often notify online. Not telling DVLA can mean a fine of up to £1,000 and can void motor insurance.
Last reviewed:
Reviewed by Kaiser Khan
GOV.UK’s checker at www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving covers around 1,600 conditions. From 17 August 2026 car and motorcycle licence holders can usually report online in the same journey, 24 hours a day, and track the application. DVLA says some cases are up to 10 days faster than posting a form.
Bus, coach and lorry licences still use paper questionnaires. Northern Ireland uses the DVA. Age-70 renewals and first provisional applications still collect medical information on the form; extra online notify on those journeys is planned later in 2026.
Telling DVLA does not tell your insurer. Declare the same facts on your motor policy. Full walkthrough: telling DVLA about a medical condition online.
Primary source: gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving
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