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Fitness to drive

Explains the rights that you have to drive, what information you need to tell the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and how to appeal if your driving licence is taken away.

  • This information applies to England and Wales.
  • This information applies to adults. It doesn't apply to children unless specifically stated.

Overview

If you have a mental health problem, you may have to tell the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about it as it might affect your ability to drive.

These rules are in place for the purposes of road safety. The DVLA has to be satisfied that drivers with medical conditions, including mental health problems, are able to safely control their vehicle and are not a risk to other road users.

Quick facts

  • There are some mental health problems that you have to tell the DVLA about and others that you only have to tell the DVLA about if they affect your ability to drive.
  • Your doctor should tell you if you need to tell the DVLA about your mental health problem.
  • You could be fined if you don't tell the DVLA about a mental health problem that affects your ability to drive.
  • It is illegal to drive or attempt to drive if your ability to do so is impaired by drugs, including prescribed medication.
  • If the DVLA says you must stop driving, you can appeal this decision, though you must do this within 6 months of your licence being refused or revoked.

These pages contain general legal information, not legal advice. We recommend you get advice from a specialist legal adviser or solicitor who will help you with your individual situation and needs. See our useful contacts page for organisations which may be able to help.

This information was published in April 2018. We will revise it in 2020.

References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.

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