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DVLA reporting

Communication > Ethics and law stations

Possible stations

  • An epileptic patient has agreed not to drive but a nurse saw him parking today before his review

  • A heavy goods vehicle driver has had a seizure and you must break the news regarding driving restrictions

  • A patient who presented with a seizure is now being discharged: you must speak to them about lifestyle changes

  • A relative is concerned about a patient who has an ‘alcohol problem’ and is driving

Phrases to help you

  • ‘Safety precautions’
  • ‘The tablets don’t guarantee your safety and the safety of others if you are driving.’
  • ‘Have you been able to follow the advice given to you with regards to driving?’
  • ‘If you drive you will be breaking the law and your insurance will not be valid.’

Aims of the station

  • Show that you can be firm but also sympathetic and non-judgemental 
  • Address the patient’s concerns and pick up on their cues
  • Use a ‘breaking bad news’ approach
  • Clearly communicate the importance of not driving
  • You may need to be firm with them – how would they feel if they had a seizure at the wheel and harmed/killed their own family or other people?
  • Offer solutions to the patient’s problems or sources of help if you have any (if not, just listen and empathise)
  • Know the DVLA rules

The DVLA rules

  • The rules differ for licence type
    • Group 1 (normal licence) = cars, motorcycles
    • Group 2 (heavy goods vehicle licence) = buses, lorries, large vehicles
    • Note: taxi drivers are usually also required to meet Group 2 medical standards depending on local councils
  • Below are some example restrictions but many other conditions also require the patient to inform the DVLA
  • If a patient drives after being advised not to, their insurance is invalid and they are breaking the law

Some important conditions with driving restrictions (ALWAYS check latest DVLA/local licencing body guidelines)

 Group 1 (normal licence)Group 2 (heavy goods vehicle licence)
DiabetesMust meet certain criteria to drive (depends on hypoglycaemia episodes, hypoglycaemia awareness, glucose monitoring and complications)Must meet certain criteria to drive (depends on hypoglycaemia episodes, hypoglycaemia awareness, glucose monitoring and complications)
First unprovoked seizure6 months (seizure free)5 years (seizure free)
Other seizure (depending on cause)1 year (seizure free)10 years (seizure free)
Stroke/TIA1 month*1 year
Unexplained syncope6 months1 year
MI treated with stent1 week*6 weeks (but need tests)
Alcohol misuse6 months (of controlled drinking/abstinence)1 year (of controlled drinking/abstinence)
Alcohol dependence1 year (free of alcohol-related problems)3 years (free of alcohol-related problems)

*Do not need to inform DVLA if no residual symptoms (all others need to inform DVLA)

Please note OSCEstop content is for educational purposes only and not intended to inform clinical practice. OSCEstop and authors take no responsibility for errors or the use of any information displayed. 

Reference: DVLA ‘Assessing fitness to drive: a guide for medical professionals’ 2022

Test your knowledge

What would you do if, despite a clear explanation, a patient with a seizure refuses to inform the DVLA and says they are going to continue to drive?

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Where can you find more information if you are unsure if a there is a driving restriction for a particular condition?

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Try an OSCE station

  1. Breaking bad news – HGV driver with seizure
  2. Find more stations here

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Ethics and law stations