Recurring concern
Inadequate driver licensing controls for road safety
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Request correctionFirst reported 8 Aug 2014•Latest report 1 Apr 2026
What this concern includes
Includes licence-status accuracy, medical-fitness review and graduated or risk-based restrictions for inexperienced, medically high-risk or otherwise higher-risk drivers.
Not included
- Driver training or enforcement where licensing controls are adequate
- Vehicle design, road layout or telematics controls that do not affect licensing entitlement
- Individual unlawful driving despite an accurate and appropriate licence decision
- Reports
- 24
- Individual concerns
- 38
- Date range
- 2014–2026
- Stated actions
- 27
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
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.
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.
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Concerns raised1
Failure of HGV medical licence assessments to verify driver-provided medical information against medical records
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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.1
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Position
Own-GP D4 examinations are not required because they may impose significant time and cost impacts, and GPs need not provide this private work.
Stated by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
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Concerns raised2
Lack of legal restrictions on the licences of young or newly qualified drivers
Vehicle licensing regime permitting the carrying of young passengers
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 concernsEach 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.1
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Position
Graduated driving licences are not being considered as a response to disproportionate risks affecting young drivers.
Stated by Department for Transport
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Concerns raised2
Lack of legal licence restrictions for young and/or newly qualified drivers
Vehicle licensing regime permitting the carrying of young persons as passengers in these circumstances
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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.1
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Position
Graduated Driving Licences are not currently being considered, although other options to address young-driver risk are being explored.
Stated by Department for Transport
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Concerns raised2
Lack of legal restrictions on the licences of young and newly qualified drivers
Vehicle licensing regime permitting young passengers to be carried by young and newly qualified drivers
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 concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Lack of independent medical scrutiny of the continued ability of drivers aged over 70 to drive
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 concernsEach 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
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Action
Conduct a Call for Evidence on driver licensing for people with medical conditions.
Stated by Department for Transport -
Action
Analyse responses to the Call for Evidence on driver licensing for people with medical conditions.
Stated by Department for Transport
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
There is little evidence that mandatory testing or medical examination for older drivers would improve road safety.
Stated by Department for Transport
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Position
Current licensing arrangements for drivers renewing at age 70 are considered a proportionate balance of fairness, road safety and individual interests.
Stated by Department for Transport
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Concerns raised2
Failure to require medical fitness checks for drivers over 70
Lack of an upper legal age limit for drivers
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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.1
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Position
Existing medical declaration, notification, investigation and age-70 renewal arrangements are considered balanced and proportionate without additional medical checks.
Stated by Department for Transport
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Concerns raised1
Failure to inform the DVLA of medical conditions relevant to safe driving
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 concernsEach 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
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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 Surgery
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Concerns raised1
Potential inadequacy of driving-licence surrender time frames for seizure risk
Responses linked to these concernsEach 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
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Action
Ask the medical advisory panel to review the required seizure-free period before driving licence reinstatement.
Stated by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The 12-month seizure-free standard and treatment, appointment and reporting declarations are considered sufficient to ensure only low-risk drivers receive licences.
Stated by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
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Concerns raised1
Lack of mandatory objective fitness testing before automatic licence renewal for older drivers
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 concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Lack of mechanisms for formal medical review of drivers with deteriorating or fluctuating health
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 concernsEach 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.2
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Position
Independent medical or driving assessments are already used in complex cases, so broader mandatory assessment is not adopted.
Stated by Department for Transport
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Position
Mandatory medical or practical assessments would not be introduced without evidence of improved road safety because they could be costly and overly bureaucratic.
Stated by Department for Transport
Data last updated 7 September 2026