Basildon EM Handbook 2018

Below is a non-exhaustive list for DVLA guidance for common ED conditions.  The DVLA website has a more detailed list which should be consulted in case of doubt.  Find out more

First fit/single fit

Patient must inform the DVLA.
Refrain from driving for at least six months from the date of the seizure.
Medical review required before re-starting driving.

Alcohol-related or drug-related seizure

Patient must inform the DVLA.
Refrain from driving for at least six months from the date of the seizure.
Medical review required before license is re-issued to ensure an appropriate period free from alcohol misuse has passed.

Head injury (with loss of consciousness but no intracranial haematoma, skull fracture, or seizures)

No requirement to inform the DVLA. No driving restriction.

Simple faint (vasovagal)

No requirement to inform the DVLA. No driving restriction.

Loss of consciousness (syncope) and low risk of recurrence (normal ECG)

No requirement to inform the DVLA. No driving restriction.

Loss of consciousness and high risk of recurrence (abnormal ECG; evidence of structural heart disease; syncope causing injury; syncope whilst sitting or lying down, or whilst at the wheel; more than 1 episode in 6 months)

Patient must inform the DVLA.
Can re-start driving 4 weeks after event if cause identified and treated.
If no cause identified licence revoked for 6 months

Single TIA

No requirement to inform DVLA. Refrain from driving for 1 month

Recurrent TIAs in a short period

Patient must inform the DVLA.
Refrain from driving until 3 months free of TIAs

Angina (stable)–symptoms on exertion only.

No requirement to inform the DVLA. No driving restriction.

Angina (unstable)–symptoms at rest, with emotion, or at the wheel

No requirement to inform DVLA.
Driving must cease until satisfactory symptom control achieved.

Arrhythmias

DVLA only need notifying if there are distracting or disabling symptoms.
Must stop driving if arrhythmia has ever caused incapacity. Driving may resume when the underlying cause has been identified and controlled for 4 weeks.

Shock from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

No requirement to inform the DVLA. Refrain from driving for 6 months.

Pre-excitation (e.g. Wolff– Parkinson–White Syndrome)

No requirement to inform the DVLA. No driving restriction.

Diabetic with awareness of hypoglycaemia.

Patient must inform the DVLA.
No driving restriction (unless recurrent episodes in which case driving must stop until satisfactory control is regained)

Diabetic with impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia.

Patient must inform the DVLA.
Driving must stop (may restart if awareness regained).