Driving and Mental Illness
Many people with severe mental illness drive safely. However, drivers with certain mental illnesses need to take extra precautions for the safety of themselves and other road users.
The information on this page is taken from the Driving And Mental Illness Factsheet
Do I have to notify the DVLA of my psychiatric disorder?
If you are diagnosed with any of the conditions below and you intend to drive you must tell the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). If you do not do this, you will not be able to drive legally and your insurance may not be valid.
- severe anxiety or depression with significant memory and concentration problems, agitation, behavioural disturbance or suicidal thoughts
- hypomania or mania
- acute psychotic disorder
- schizophrenia or other chronic psychosis
- alcohol and/or drug misuse or dependency
- personality disorders
How do I notify the DVLA of my condition?
If you already have a licence, you need to download the appropriate medical questionnaire from the DVLA website, or call the DVLA to ask them to send it to you. You also need to fill out a form to give your consent for DVLA's doctors to contact your doctor or a specialist. You can either post, fax or email these forms back to:
Drivers Medical Group, DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1TU
Tel: 0300 790 6806 (For car and motorcycle licences).
0300 790 6807 (For bus, coach or lorry licences)
Telephone lines open Monday to Friday - 8am to 5.30pm, Saturday – 8am to 1pm
Fax: 0845 850 0095
Email: eftd@dvla.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.direct.gov.uk/motoring
How do I surrender my license?
If your doctor has already advised you not to drive, in accordance with the standards of fitness to drive, you may wish to surrender your licence. If you do so, you can re-apply for it to be restored at a later date when your condition has improved and you have your doctor or specialist's support.
You can download the Declaration of Voluntary Surrender on the DVLA Website.
What happens after the DVLA is notified?
As long as you provide full information, the DVLA can usually process your medical enquiry within three weeks. If they need further information from you, your doctor or other sources, or if you‟re applying for a bus or lorry licence, they will try to complete the process within 90 days.
Possible decisions the DVLA may make are:
- Allowing you to keep your licence
- Deciding that your medical fitness needs to be reviewed regularly and issuing you with a driving licence valid for 1, 2 or 3 years
- Taking your driving licence away from you.
Appealing a decision made by the DVLA
If you disagree with a decision made by the DVLA regarding your licence, you may be able to appeal to your local Magistrates' Court within 6 months (England and Wales) or to your local Sheriff Court within 21 days (Scotland).
If you do decide to appeal, you need to inform the DVLA that you are doing so and you may wish to seek independent legal advice.
