Driving with a Medical Condition

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Martin Smith

Pegasus Couriers MD

Do you have a medical condition that might impact your driving?

The DVLA has updated the list of medical conditions drivers that drivers declare. In this article, Pegasus Couriers MD Martin Smith discusses these medical conditions and their implication on insurance and business compliance.

Driving with a Medical Condition

The government’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has updated the list of medical conditions that drivers must declare. Those who fail to report these issues could risk a hefty fine or even surrendering their license.

Over the last few months, several media reports have highlighted the list of 118 medical conditions that must be reported. Here is the official link to check the list of Medical Conditions. These range from sleep apnoea to specific operations and taking certain medications. Motorists can inform the DVLA by filling in an online declaration form or by phone.

The DVLA will then assess your driving fitness and may ask for additional information, such as a letter from your doctor. Remember, if you have one of these conditions, you may still be able to drive. The DVLA will consider several factors, such as the severity of your condition and how well it is managed.

Optometrists Raise Concerns

Surrendering Your Driver's License

According to the Gov Website, you must give up your licence if:

your doctor tells you to stop driving for three months or more
your medical condition affects your ability to drive safely and lasts for three months or more
you do not meet the required standards for driving because of your medical condition

Once you meet the medical requirement again, you can apply to regain your licence.

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) have recently queried some of the conditions stating that – if implemented – it would hinder almost every driver who receives a sight test. The AOP‘s concerns promoted the DVLA to remove the list of eyesight conditions pending review. A new revised list is due to be published in the coming weeks.

Drug-Driving on Certain Medication

According to a recent survey conducted by road safety organisation IAM RoadSmart, out of 2,000 drivers, 600 were unaware of the maximum dosage of their prescribed medication.

In addition, several drivers admitted they rarely or never check if their medication will impact their driving ability. Under UK law, it’s an offence to drive while unfit because of drug use – whether it is from a legal or illegal substance. If you currently experience hay fever and take over-the-counter medications, you may unknowingly be at risk while driving.

Declaring to Insurance

When it comes to insurance, some insurance providers may charge higher premiums for those with certain conditions because of an increase in risk.
To understand how a health condition will impact your cover, it’s best to check your policy wording. If you fail to tell your insurance provider about a health condition when applying for cover – or you fail to declare a condition – you could void your policy.
If you have any concerns, you should speak with your insurance provider. Additionally, it’s common for logistics and courier companies to require contractors or staff to disclose any medical conditions that may impact or hinder performance.
Most logistics and courier companies require contractors or staff to declare severe medical conditions that may hinder performance. Again, this does vary from business to business.

Safety and Business Responsibility

Worker safety is of utmost importance for any business, particularly for delivery drivers.If you are a delivery driver and fail to declare this, it
could critically impact the business and, even worse, lead to a severe or fatal injury. We ask our delivery drivers and contractors to alert us to any change in their health conditions. We also ask for an annual Health and Safety Declaration, which is part of our company policy to ensure a safety-first workplace.
To further promote safety, we have established an Internal Network (Intranet) where employees and contractors can access the necessary documents and policies. These measures are put in place to prioritise road safety and protect all road users. While some measures may seem extreme, they are necessary to ensure compliance and prevent any mishaps.
For businesses that rely on logistics, staying ahead of the game in terms of safety and compliance is paramount. I encourage you to read my other articles on road safety and its impact on businesses. If you have any questions, please contact the DVLA directly.

Interested? Contact Us Today

We are always looking for new delivery drivers. If you are considering becoming a delivery driver, contact us for assistance. It costs you nothing and we might even be able to offer you work!

At Pegasus Couriers, we help new delivery drivers get on the road to success and delivering parcels. Last year, we assisted more than 400 newcomers to the industry – contact us today for more information.

Basic tips for driving safely:

Know your limitations: Be aware of the symptoms of your condition and how they can affect your driving.
Get regular medical checkups: Keep up with your doctor’s appointments and follow their recommendations.
Take medication as prescribed: Take your medication as prescribed.
Get plenty of rest: Get enough sleep to be well-rested when driving.
Don’t drive if you are feeling unwell: If you are feeling unwell, don’t drive. Pull over and rest until you feel better.
Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to the road and other drivers.
Don’t drive when you are tired or stressed: Driving when you are tired or stressed can increase your risk of an accident.