How to tell DVA about a medical condition

If you've had or currently suffer from a medical condition or disability that may affect your driving you must tell Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA). You'll also need to provide details if you develop a new condition or disability or one that has become worse since your licence was issued. Failure to notify DVA is a criminal offence and is punishable by a fine of up to £1,000.

Surrendering your driving licence

The medical standards of fitness to drive are available to all medical practitioners. If your doctor, in accordance with these standards, has advised you that you should not drive you may wish to surrender your licence. You can re-apply for its restoration at a later date. Surrendering your licence has an advantage, if and when you decide to re-apply.

How to surrender your driving licence and return to driving at a later date

How to tell DVA if you're applying for or currently hold a driving licence

All driving licence application forms contain a series of health questions for you to complete when telling DVA of the medical condition or disability that you have. If you already have a driving licence and need to tell DVA of a medical condition or disability, you must tell them right away and not wait until your licence is due for renewal.

Extra rules for applications to drive larger vehicles over 3,500kgs, minibuses (between 9 and 16 seats) and buses

A DLM1 medical report form, completed by a medical practitioner, will also need to be returned with your application to DVA if you're:

applying for entitlement to drive larger vehicles over 3500kg, minibuses (between 9 and 16 seats) and buses for the first time
a car licence holder applying to renew category C1 and or D1
renewing your large goods vehicle (LGV) or passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) driving entitlement on or after the age of 45 and at five yearly intervals until the age of 65 (if you're aged between 45 and 65 and have been issued with a medical short period licence, then you only need send in a DLM1 form if you haven't done so within the last five years)
renewing your LGV and or PCV driving entitlement on or after the age of 65 and on a yearly basis thereafter

Drivers already holding entitlement to drive vehicles of category C1 and or D1 - and who have passed a car test before 1 January 1997 - will only be required to meet the higher medical standards when the licence is next renewed.

How to contact DVA

You can return your documents or contact DVA in the following ways:

By post

You can send your documents to the DVA at the following address:

Drivers Medical Section
DVA County Hall
Castlerock Road
Coleraine
BT51 3TB

By phone

You can also notify DVA of a medical condition by phone. Please remember to quote your full name, date of birth and/or driver number (if known). You must also give details of your specific medical condition or disability in order that you can be sent the appropriate medical questionnaire.

Phone: 0845 4024 000 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm).