Driving After an Injury

After an injury, check gov.uk to see whether your condition must be reported to the DVLA, and report it if it must. The rules depend on the injury or condition, and the legal duty to tell the DVLA sits with the driver, not the doctor. A driving assessment and car adaptations can help some people get back on the road safely.

When and how to tell the DVLA

Gov.uk says you must tell the DVLA if you develop a "notifiable" medical condition or disability, or if an existing condition has got worse since you got your licence. Not every injury is notifiable. The way to find out is the A to Z list of conditions on gov.uk, which explains what to do for each one. For spinal conditions, injuries or spinal surgery, for example, gov.uk says you must tell the DVLA if the injury to your spine affects your ability to drive. If your condition is not listed and you cannot use the online service, contact the DVLA.

How you report depends on your licence:

• Car or motorcycle licence holders can report a condition online.
• Bus, coach or lorry licence holders must send a form or questionnaire to the DVLA; the address is on the forms.

This matters. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. Penalties and procedures can change, so check the current gov.uk pages.

Section 88 and the medical side

Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 allows some people to keep driving while the DVLA deals with their licence application. It applies only if certain conditions are met; it is not an automatic right to drive while you wait. Whether it covers you depends on your circumstances, so check the gov.uk guidance and ask your doctor whether you are fit to drive before relying on it.

DVLA guidance for medical professionals is clear that the licence holder or applicant has the legal duty to tell the DVLA about any condition that may affect safe driving. GPs and specialists advise their patients, and they can also notify the DVLA in confidence. The DVLA's medical team then decides what happens to the licence, which can mean further questions or medical reports depending on the condition.

Driving assessments and adaptations

If an injury has changed how you move or react, a driving assessment at an accredited Driving Mobility centre can show whether and how you can drive safely. Driving Mobility says a typical assessment includes an introduction, a basic physical assessment, paper-based cognitive tasks, driving-specific vision tests, a drive of about 50 minutes and a debrief. The assessors then write a full report and send it to your home address. Where needed, it can point to adaptations such as hand controls or steering aids. It is also sensible to tell your insurer about your condition and any adaptations, as undisclosed changes can affect your cover.

Before getting back behind the wheel, look up your own injury or diagnosis on the gov.uk A to Z list and follow what it says. Report to the DVLA if required, talk to your doctor about your fitness to drive, and book an assessment if your ability to drive may have changed.