First reported 8 Aug 2014•Latest report 27 Apr 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures in the DVLA-related process for identifying medically relevant driving risks, advising patients about driving and their notification duties, and notifying the DVLA or DVA when appropriate, including unclear or poorly understood professional guidance and ineffective notification arrangements.
Not included
Excludes general clinical advice or diagnosis where no driving-safety or DVLA notification connection is identified.
Excludes DVLA licence re-issue assessment, audit and medical-review failures unless they directly concern notification of medically relevant driving risks.
Excludes driver training, vehicle safety, road design and enforcement concerns unrelated to the DVLA medical-fitness notification process.
Excludes failures occurring after an appropriate DVLA notification has been reliably made, including later licensing decisions.
Reports
15
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
24
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
44
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department for Transport11
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency5
General Medical Council2
General Optical Council2
Department of Health and Social Care1
Emsworth Surgery1
GP1
Home Office1
Middleton Lodge Practice1
NHS England1
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust1
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust1
Ministerial department13
Road and vehicle agency5
Health and care professional regulator3
Executive non-departmental public body1
Healthcare site1
Multi-service care provider1
NHS trust1
Type not available1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Nottinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide patients with advice to stop driving and notify the DVLA about cough syncope
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.9
Action
Implement the Trust-wide “Fitness to Drive: Ask, Advise, Document” patient safety alert.
Stated by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 July 2026.
Action
Disseminate DVLA fitness-to-drive guidance to clinical governance leaders and clinicians through governance meetings, reports and email, requiring clinicians to familiarise themselves with it.
Stated by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 17 July 2026.
Action
Add DVLA fitness-to-drive guidance to the Trust intranet.
Stated by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 July 2026.
Action
Add DVLA fitness-to-drive guidance to the EOLAS learning area and resources.
Stated by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 July 2026.
Action
Add a DVLA medical-conditions link, including syncope guidance, to the Cardiology specialist intranet page.
Stated by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 17 July 2026.
Action
Advise all clinicians to bookmark DVLA fitness-to-drive standards and guidance for easy access.
Stated by Partnership at Middleton Lodge PracticeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 July 2026.
Action
Review the Trust’s transient loss of consciousness guidance.
Stated by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustStatus unclearThe respondent did not make the status of this action clear when they made their response on 17 July 2026.
Action
Circulate the transient loss of consciousness guidance to all Trust consultants.
Stated by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 July 2026.
Action
Circulate Medical Director and DVLA driving-advice guidance to consultants and Care Group Governance teams, and publish it on KOHA.
Stated by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 17 July 2026.
Cumbria
Concerns raised1
Failure of drivers to self-report potentially significant conditions to the DVLA
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Review and improve self-declaration forms and associated notification processes.
Stated by MP, Minister for Local TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 March 2026.
Action
Raise public awareness of the legal duty to notify the DVLA about medical conditions and the consequences of non-notification.
Stated by MP, Minister for Local TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 March 2026.
Action
Reinforce existing General Medical Council guidance on notifying the DVLA when patients continue driving despite advice to notify.
Stated by MP, Minister for Local TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 March 2026.
Action
Deliver educational sessions for healthcare professionals encouraging direct DVLA notifications when patients cannot or will not notify themselves.
Stated by MP, Minister for Local TransportStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 26 March 2026.
Action
Continue engagement with regulatory bodies, clinical networks and healthcare professionals to identify barriers to DVLA notifications.
Stated by MP, Minister for Local TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 March 2026.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised5
Insufficient awareness among medical professionals of guidance on notifying the DVLA
Uncertainty about the effectiveness of mechanisms for doctors to report patients' health issues to the DVLA
Failure of medical professionals to report patients' health issues to the DVLA
Failure to ensure drivers understand how and when to notify the DVLA of medical conditions
Failure of drivers to self-report medical conditions to the DVLA
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.13
Action
Continue engaging healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies to reinforce notification of the DVLA when drivers cannot or will not self-report medical conditions.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Embed DVLA/DVA notification expectations in education and training requirements for registrants.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Raise awareness of fitness-to-drive confidentiality guidance through registrant talks, workshops and published communications.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Collaborate with partner organisations and medical defence bodies to support appropriate responses when patients may be unfit to drive.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Develop accessible learning materials, including a case study and video, on fitness-to-drive responsibilities.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Plan and progress a targeted awareness campaign through registrant and responsible-officer communication channels.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Explore joint awareness work with the General Optical Council, including shared messages and coordinated communications timing.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Review and refresh outreach materials for 2026 onward, including wider references to fitness-to-drive guidance and responsibilities.
Stated by General Medical CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Remind registrants about existing guidance on reporting patients who may be unfit to drive to authorities.
Stated by General Optical CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Include information in the next registrant newsletter highlighting responsibilities concerning drivers’ health and fitness to drive.
Stated by General Optical CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Explore using the annual registrant survey to identify barriers preventing referrals about drivers’ ability to drive.
Stated by General Optical CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Maintain guidance explaining when registrants should disclose confidential information about patients who may be unfit to drive.
Stated by General Optical CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Action
Consider the self-declaration process alongside evidence from the 2023 call for evidence and findings from recent inquests.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Schools, royal colleges and faculties are responsible for the detailed content of curricula covering fitness-to-drive notification requirements.
Stated by General Medical CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Government must decide the road safety strategy and whether to introduce mandatory reporting or mandatory sight testing for drivers.
Stated by General Optical CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Cumbria
Concerns raised1
Reliance on drivers to self-refer medical impairments to the DVLA
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Carry out a comprehensive review of the self-declaration forms.
Stated by Department for TransportStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 October 2025.
Action
Consider ways to raise awareness of notifying the DVLA and the consequences of failing to do so.
Stated by Department for TransportStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 October 2025.
Action
Continue engaging healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies to reinforce notification when patients cannot or will not notify the DVLA.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 October 2025.
Action
Review existing evidence alongside findings from recent inquests.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 20 October 2025.
Action
Consider the process for self-declaration as part of the evidence review.
Stated by Department for TransportStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 October 2025.
Nottinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Reliance of vehicle licensing on drivers’ self-reporting of medical conditions
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Continue engaging healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies to identify circumstances where appropriate DVLA notifications could be encouraged or supported.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 19 May 2025.
Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen
Concerns raised2
Unexplained reduction in driver self-reporting of major eye conditions
Failure to communicate unsafe visual assessments promptly to the DVLA
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Investigate the reduction in notifications of diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration and identify any necessary action.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Action
Work with eye healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies to identify and address barriers to notifying the DVLA when disclosure is in the public interest.
Stated by Department for TransportStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 25 April 2025.
Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen
Concerns raised2
Failure of drivers with dementia to self-report medical conditions to the DVLA
Failure to report multiple medical conditions requiring DVLA monitoring
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Continue engaging healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies to identify and address obstacles to reporting conditions when patients lack insight or capacity.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 April 2025.
Action
Consider research and evidence, including any additional research needed, to inform potential future changes to the driver licensing system.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 April 2025.
Action
Continue working with healthcare professionals, driving organisations and regulatory bodies to identify and assess people who pose road-safety risks because of unrecognised medical conditions.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 24 April 2025.
Dorset
Concerns raised1
Failure of secondary mental health services to revoke driving licences on medical grounds
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Ask colleagues in each NHS region to raise awareness of GMC and DVLA fitness-to-drive guidance with local systems and providers.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 March 2024.
Action
Ask colleagues in each NHS region to raise awareness of GMC and DVLA driving-fitness guidance with systems and providers.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 March 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
The GMC is responsible for setting doctors’ professional standards on fitness to drive and reporting concerns.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Individual NHS Trusts are expected to develop local policies addressing duties concerning medical revocation of driving licences.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Existing GMC and DVLA guidance sets responsibilities for doctors and healthcare professionals regarding fitness to drive and licence revocation.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
West London
Concerns raised1
Failure to advise drivers and families that confusion, agitation or delirium may render driving unfit
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Setting clinical standards and providing clinical guidance on specific driving conditions falls outside the respondent’s role.
Stated by General Medical CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
The DVLA and DVA are legally responsible for deciding whether a person is medically unfit to drive.
Stated by General Medical CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Particular conditions and a general duty for increased testing cannot be specified because fitness to drive requires case-by-case assessment and DVLA or DVA involvement.
Stated by General Medical CouncilUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton
Concerns raised3
Failure to inform the DVLA of medical conditions relevant to safe driving
Failure to advise drivers of the legal requirement to notify the DVLA of medical conditions
Failure to advise drivers of the impact of their medical conditions on safe driving
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Write to patients with epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease to remind them of DVLA notification responsibilities and identify current drivers for record updates.
Stated by Emsworth SurgeryStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 1 March 2021.
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Includes failures in the DVLA-related process for identifying medically relevant driving risks, advising patients about driving and their notification duties, and notifying the DVLA or DVA when appropriate, including unclear or poorly understood professional guidance and ineffective notification arrangements.
