Drivers who have certain medical conditions or are convicted of a relevant criminal offence could have their licence revoked.
The DVLA can take away someone’s licence if they no longer meet its licensing criteria.
The agency can also suspend a licence if they believe a person is a “threat to public safety of that it is in the public interest to do so”.
“An example of when we might do this is if you are under police investigation for a serious offence,” the DVLA website states.
“If we intend to revoke or suspend your licence we will write to you to tell you why. Our letter will also tell you how to appeal against our decision.”
If you suffer from certain medical conditions, or you have had a dependency to drugs and/or alcohol in the past three years, then you are at risk of having your driving licence taken away.
What medications could lead to DVLA revoking your licence?
The DVLA can revoke a driving license due to various medications, especially those that could impair driving ability.
The DVLA website states that it’s illegal to drive if either:
- you’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal or illegal drugs
- you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood (even if they have not affected your driving)
It’s illegal in England, Scotland and Wales to drive with legal drugs in your body if it impairs your driving.
It’s an offence to drive if you have over the specified limits of certain drugs in your blood and you have not been prescribed them.
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Talk to your doctor about whether you should drive if you’ve been prescribed any of the following drugs:
- amphetamine, for example dexamphetamine or selegiline
- clonazepam
- diazepam
- flunitrazepam
- lorazepam
- methadone
- morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, for example codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
- oxazepam
- temazepam
You can drive after taking these drugs if:
- you’ve been prescribed them and followed advice on how to take them by a healthcare professional
- they are not causing you to be unfit to drive even if you’re above the specified limits
The DVLA has clearly stated on its website: "You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don't tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving.
“You may be prosecuted if you're involved in an accident as a result. Ask your doctor if your blackouts, fainting (syncope) or loss of consciousness affect your driving.
"You must tell DVLA if your condition affects your driving. Fill in form FEP1 and send it to DVLA. The address is on the form."
Experts at Kirwans Solicitors advise that when the DVLA is informed of your fitness to drive, an investigation is undertaken.
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“This will involve the DVLA contacting your GP, and where necessary other medical professionals involved in your care,” Kirwans states.
“If the information they receive suggests that your licence should be revoked then you will be informed by the DVLA.”
What to do if DVLA revokes your licence
You can appeal the DVLA decision to revoke your licence in a Magistrates’ or Sheriff Court.
You must do so within 21 days of the revocation coming into effect.
It's recommended to seek legal advice from a solicitor specializing in driving offences and DVLA cases.
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