What happens after I have informed the DVLA?

The medical questionnaire that you use to tell the DVLA allows you to provide specific details about your medical condition or disability. The questionnaire also asks you to give consent for a DVLA medical adviser to request medical information from your doctor. The DVLA will try to make a decision from the information you provide.
However, if further information is required, the medical adviser may:

1. contact your own doctor or consultant
2. arrange for you to be examined by a locally appointed medical officer or local consultant or specialist
3. ask you to undergo a driving assessment, eyesight or driving test

How long will all this take?

The DVLA does try to act as quickly as possible but they have to make sure they have all the information they need to make a value judgement on your case. The time taken by DVLA to deal with your medical enquiry will depend on the medical condition you have and the information that DVLA needs to gather.

If a decision can be made based on the information you originally provided, the DVLA should make a decision within three weeks.

If the DVLA decide they need more information about your medical condition, they should make a decision within 90 working days. To do this they may need more information from you, your doctor or other sources and the quicker they get this information the sooner you will get your answer.

What happens then?

Once the medical adviser is satisfied that they have all the medical information that they need or is available, a decision will be made about your driving licence. They will use the medical standards of fitness to drive to help with the decision.

The decisions that can be taken are:

1. you may be able to retain your licence or be issued with a new driving licence
2. you may be issued with a driving licence for a period of one, two or three years if the medical adviser decides that a review of your medical fitness is required in the future
3. you may be issued a driving licence which indicates that special controls need to be fitted to the vehicle you drive to enable you to overcome the effects of a physical disability. This is unlikely if you just suffer from narcolepsy, but if you have narcolepsy and some other condition it is possible.
4. DVLA will tell you to stop driving if medical enquiries confirm that you are not fit to drive until your condition improves

If your driving licence is revoked or refused by the medical adviser at DVLA you will be provided with a medical explanation of why this decision was taken (wherever possible the DVLA will advise you when you can re-apply for your licence).

What can I do if I do not agree with the DVLA’s decision to revoke my licence?

If the DVLA revokes your licence or refuses your re-application for a licence, you can appeal against this decision. You need to make your appeal in writing. In England and Wales this needs to be at a magistrates’ court within 6 months of the DVLA telling you their decision, and in Scotland, within 21 days at a Sheriff’s Court. You are not allowed to drive while your appeal is being heard.

It is a good idea to talk to your doctor about any further medical evidence they could give the DVLA to consider. For information about appealing contact the DVLA.