How to tell DVA about a medical condition
If you've had or suffer from a medical condition or disability that may affect your driving you must tell the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) right away. You also need to give details if you develop a new condition or disability or if an existing condition worsens.
If you don’t tell DVA about a medical condition
It is an offence if you do not tell the DVA about a medical condition that may impact your ability to drive and is punishable, on conviction, of a fine of up to £1,000.
It is also an offence to drive after making a false declaration about your health to the DVA and is punishable, on conviction, of a fine of up to £2,500.
Telling DVA about a medical condition
Driving licence application forms and the online application contain a series of health questions for you to fill in when applying for a new or replacement licence.
If you already have a driving licence and need to tell DVA of a new or worsening medical condition or disability, you must tell them right away and not wait until your licence is due for renewal.
You can contact DVA in the following ways:
By post
Send both parts of your driver licence, along with a covering letter detailing the nature of your condition to:
Drivers Medical SectionDVA
Castlerock Road
Waterside
Coleraine
BT51 3TB
Telephone or email
You can tell DVA of a medical condition by phone or email. Remember to quote your full name, date of birth and/or driver number (if you know it).
You must also give details of your specific medical condition or disability so that you can be sent the necessary medical questionnaire.
Surrendering your driving licence
The medical standards of fitness to drive are available to all medical practitioners. If your doctor, in line with these standards, has advised that you should stop driving, you must surrender your licence. You can re-apply for its restoration at a later date.
Surrendering your licence has advantages if and when you decide to re-apply.