Medical renewals
If you’re the holder of a short period driving licence that needs to be reviewed due to a medical condition, you’ll receive a reminder notice from Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) about two months before your licence expires.
Renewing your driving licence
The reminder notice you receive will include information on how to renew your licence online.
You’ll need to:
- do the renewal online or fill in a DL1 or DL2 form, available from main Post Office® branches
- fill in the medical questionnaire* **
- include a new passport type certified photo
You don’t need to include any other identification, or fee to renew a medically held licence. However, on renewal of an expired licence, with first disclosure of a medical condition a fee of £30 is needed.
* If you are renewing your car licence DVA will issue you the medical questionnaire(s) for you to fill in when your online application or DL1 form is received.
** If you are renewing your lorry or bus entitlement(s) you should fill in the ‘medical examination report’ (DLM1) and send this to DVA along with your application. DLM1 forms are available directly from DVA. You can find their contact details at the link below.
Once you have received your medical questionnaire(s) you will then need to arrange for your doctor to fill in the form(s). Your questionnaire(s) will include a consent form that must be signed, this allows DVA to make medical enquiries into your fitness to drive.
For a list of the conditions and disabilities which are investigated for car or motorcycle licence (group one) holders and lorry or bus licence (group two) holders, see the information at the links below:
If you don't receive your reminder notice in the post, you can still do your renewal online or fill in a DL/ DL2 application form.
Insulin dependent diabetics - lorry/ bus entitlement
If you now suffer from diabetes and this is controlled by insulin, or other medications which carry a risk of inducing hypoglycaemia, you will need to contact DVA to ask for a DIAB1 medical report form.
Further advice on the medical process involved is available on the following link:
Change of name
If your name has changed since your last licence was issued, you must also include original documents confirming your change of name.
When to expect your licence
The time taken to deal with your case will depend on your medical condition and the information needed.
When the decision can be made, based on the information you originally gave, DVA aims to make a decision within two to four weeks.
If any other information is needed, from you, your doctor, or other sources, or if you're applying for a lorry or bus licence, it may take longer to make a decision.
Contact DVA Drivers Medical Section
The address of the DVA Drivers Medical Section is at the following link.