Respond fully and accurately to any requests for information from either DVLA or healthcare professionalsĬomply with the requirements of the issued licence, including any periodic medical reviews indicated by DVLA Notify DVLA of any injury or illness that would have a likely impact on safe driving ability (except some short-term conditions that are unlikely to continue beyond 3 months, as set out in this guide) DVLA notification by drivers or healthcare professionalsĪpplicants and licence holders have a legal duty to: These figures, while originally defined by older studies, have since been revalidated by more recent risk-of-harm calculations. Sudden disabling eventsĪnyone with a medical condition likely to cause a sudden disabling event at the wheel, or who is unable to control their vehicle safely for any other reason, must not drive.ĭVLA defines the risk of a sudden disabling event as:Ģ0% likelihood of an event in 1 year for Group 1 licensingĢ% likelihood of an event in 1 year for Group 2 licensing The advice of the Honorary Medical Advisory Panels on the interpretation of GB legislation and its appropriate application is made within the context of driver licensing. Any responsibility for determining higher medical standards, over and above these licensing requirements, rests with the individual force, service or other relevant body. Responsibility for determining any higher standards and medical requirements for taxi drivers, over and above the driver licensing requirements, rests with Transport for London in the Metropolitan area, or the local council in all other areas.ĭecisions taken by employers on the use and application of the GB standards on fitness to drive in particular circumstances and as they relate to employees are for the employer to make. The same medical standards apply for drivers of police, fire, coastguard, ambulance and health service vehicles as they do for all drivers holding Group 1 and 2 licences. Police, fire, ambulance and health service driver licensing The same assessment is required again at 45 years of age and on any subsequent reapplication. There are exceptions, such as driving in the armed forces, and people of a minimum age of 18 can drive lorries and buses after gaining, or training towards, the Driver CPC.Īll initial Group 2 licence applications require a medical assessment by a registered medical practitioner (recorded on the D4 form). Shorter licences may be issued for medical reasons. Group 2 licences must be renewed every 5 years or at age 45, whichever is the earlier, until the age of 65 when they are renewed annually without an upper age limit.
The Group 2 licensing entitlement is valid for a maximum of 5 years. The minimum age for Group 2 entitlement to drive lorries (category C) is 21 and for buses (category D) is 24, unless the driver is undergoing or has passed the Driver Certificate of Competence (CPC) initial qualification which they can do at the age of 21. (A person can’t apply for PIP until their 16th birthday.) Group 2 There is no upper age limit to licensing, but after 70 renewal is required every 3 years.Ī person in receipt of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can hold a driving licence from 16 years of age.
Licences are normally valid until 70 years of age (the ’til 70 licence) unless restricted to a shorter duration for medical reasons. DVLA outlines the rules for such circumstances on the GOV.UK website (see Driving a minibus). Under certain circumstances, volunteer drivers may drive a minibus of up to 16 seats without category D1 entitlement. On subsequent renewal or reapplication, the higher medical standards applicable to Group 2 will apply. Drivers with this entitlement retain it only until their licence expires or it is revoked for medical reasons. This is because of the size and weight of the vehicle and the length of time an occupational driver typically spends at the wheel.ĭrivers who were awarded a Group 1 category B (motor car) licence before 1 January 1997 have additional entitlement to categories C1 (medium-sized lorries, 3.5t to 7.5t) and D1 (minibuses, 9 to 16 seats, not for hire or reward). In most cases, the medical standards for Group 2 drivers are substantially higher than for Group 1 drivers. Group 2 includes large lorries (category C) and buses (category D) The GB medical standards for driver licensing refer to Group 1 and Group 2 licence holders: GB driver licensing Licensing and licence groups