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By Craig Hale
Over 2.1 million full or provisional GB driving licence holders have a medical condition recorded with the DVLA, according to our new Freedom of Information data.
The number of licence holders with a declared medical condition on their DVLA record has increased by more than 326,000 in two years, with around one in 25 licence holders now affected.
Diabetes was the most commonly recorded condition among both car/motorcycle licence holders (‘Group 1’) and bus/lorrylicence holders (‘Group 2’).
Heart and eye-related conditions also appeared among the most common issues recorded, including pacemakers, glaucoma, visual problems, heart rhythm conditions and heart attacks.
Drivers are required to tell the DVLA if they develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or if an existing condition worsens, and could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they fail to report anything that might affect their ability to drive safely.
Among Group 1 licence holders, which includes cars and motorcycles, diabetes was the most commonly recorded medical condition in 2026, with 63,473 records.
Top 10 most common medical conditions for Group 1 licence holders between 1 January and 28 May 2026:
Other commonly recorded conditions included solitary seizures, visual conditions where the specific issue was unknown, blackouts of unknown cause, heart defibrillators, macular degeneration and cataracts.
Diabetes was also the most commonly recorded condition among Group 2 licence holders, which includes bus and lorry entitlements.
Top 5 most common medical conditions for Group 2 licence holders between 1 January and 28 May 2026:
Other conditions among the most commonly recorded for Group 2 licence holders included heart attacks, visual acuity issues, glaucoma, cataracts, angina, angioplasty, stroke, obstructive sleep apnoea and epilepsy.
In May 2024, 1,849,423 full or provisional GB licence holders had a medical condition recorded with the DVLA. This rose to 1,992,978 in May 2025, before reaching 2,175,859 in May 2026.
Having a medical condition recorded with the DVLA doesn’t automatically mean someone has to stop driving. Many drivers with medical conditions can continue to drive safely, but they may need to notify the DVLA, provide medical information, or have their fitness to drive reviewed more regularly.
Since the start of 2024, the DVLA data shows 140,981 records where a GB licence holder had their entitlement to drive revoked, had a new application refused, or voluntarily surrendered their entitlement following medical condition notifications.
This includes 68,164 cases in 2024, 61,436 in 2025, and 11,381 between 1 January and 28 May 2026, equivalent to around 160 per day on average across the full period analysed.
Eye-related issues were among the most common conditions linked to licences being revoked, refused or surrendered in 2026. Among Group 1 licence holders, 910 cases were linked to eyesight not meeting the required standard, while 425 were linked to visual field refusal, and 187 were linked to failed roadside eyesight tests.
Among Group 2 licence holders, eyesight below the Group 2 standard was also the most common condition linked to revoked, refused or surrendered entitlements in 2026, with 100 records.
Heart-related conditions (including implanted cardiac defibrillators, unsatisfactory cardiac tests and left ventricular ejection fraction below 40%) also appeared among the conditions linked to these licence decisions.
Drivers aged 70 to 79 accounted for the highest number of medical-condition records in each period supplied, with 115,270 records in 2024, 138,990 in 2025, and 122,757 between 1 January and 28 May 2026.
Since the start of 2024, 332,631 short-term medical licences have been issued to full or provisional GB licence holders.
A short-term medical licence can allow a driver to stay on the road, but with their fitness to drive reviewed sooner than it would be under a standard licence. The DVLA says these licences may be granted for one, two, three or five years.
Government guidance says the DVLA can also decide whether a driver needs to adapt their vehicle, or whether they must stop driving.
Ben Welham, our motoring expert, said: “A short-term medical licence shouldn’t be seen as a sign that someone is unsafe to drive. In many cases, it simply means the DVLA wants to review the driver’s medical position again after a set period.
“The driver may still be allowed to drive, but they should pay close attention to renewal dates and any medical evidence they are asked to provide. If symptoms change, or if they receive new medical advice, they should check whether the DVLA needs to be updated.”
Ben added: “Many people with medical conditions are still able to drive safely, but it’s important for drivers to understand when they need to tell the DVLA.
“A notifiable condition is one that could affect your ability to drive safely. This could include issues with eyesight, consciousness, mobility, memory, reaction times or a condition that could cause sudden symptoms behind the wheel.
“Drivers shouldn’t try to guess whether a condition matters, especially if they’ve recently been diagnosed or their symptoms have changed. The safest approach is to check the official DVLA guidance for that condition and speak to a doctor if they are unsure.
“Ignoring a diagnosis, medical advice or DVLA correspondence can have serious consequences. Drivers could face a fine if they fail to tell the DVLA about a condition that might affect their ability to drive safely, and the safety risks can be even more serious.”
By Craig Hale
Over 2.1 million full or provisional GB driving licence holders have a medical condition recorded with the DVLA, according to our new Freedom of Information data.
The number of licence holders with a declared medical condition on their DVLA record has increased by more than 326,000 in two years, with around one in 25 licence holders now affected.
Diabetes was the most commonly recorded condition among both car/motorcycle licence holders (‘Group 1’) and bus/lorrylicence holders (‘Group 2’).
Heart and eye-related conditions also appeared among the most common issues recorded, including pacemakers, glaucoma, visual problems, heart rhythm conditions and heart attacks.
Drivers are required to tell the DVLA if they develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or if an existing condition worsens, and could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they fail to report anything that might affect their ability to drive safely.
Among Group 1 licence holders, which includes cars and motorcycles, diabetes was the most commonly recorded medical condition in 2026, with 63,473 records.
Top 10 most common medical conditions for Group 1 licence holders between 1 January and 28 May 2026:
Other commonly recorded conditions included solitary seizures, visual conditions where the specific issue was unknown, blackouts of unknown cause, heart defibrillators, macular degeneration and cataracts.
Diabetes was also the most commonly recorded condition among Group 2 licence holders, which includes bus and lorry entitlements.
Top 5 most common medical conditions for Group 2 licence holders between 1 January and 28 May 2026:
Other conditions among the most commonly recorded for Group 2 licence holders included heart attacks, visual acuity issues, glaucoma, cataracts, angina, angioplasty, stroke, obstructive sleep apnoea and epilepsy.
In May 2024, 1,849,423 full or provisional GB licence holders had a medical condition recorded with the DVLA. This rose to 1,992,978 in May 2025, before reaching 2,175,859 in May 2026.
Having a medical condition recorded with the DVLA doesn’t automatically mean someone has to stop driving. Many drivers with medical conditions can continue to drive safely, but they may need to notify the DVLA, provide medical information, or have their fitness to drive reviewed more regularly.
Since the start of 2024, the DVLA data shows 140,981 records where a GB licence holder had their entitlement to drive revoked, had a new application refused, or voluntarily surrendered their entitlement following medical condition notifications.
This includes 68,164 cases in 2024, 61,436 in 2025, and 11,381 between 1 January and 28 May 2026, equivalent to around 160 per day on average across the full period analysed.
Eye-related issues were among the most common conditions linked to licences being revoked, refused or surrendered in 2026. Among Group 1 licence holders, 910 cases were linked to eyesight not meeting the required standard, while 425 were linked to visual field refusal, and 187 were linked to failed roadside eyesight tests.
Among Group 2 licence holders, eyesight below the Group 2 standard was also the most common condition linked to revoked, refused or surrendered entitlements in 2026, with 100 records.
Heart-related conditions (including implanted cardiac defibrillators, unsatisfactory cardiac tests and left ventricular ejection fraction below 40%) also appeared among the conditions linked to these licence decisions.
Drivers aged 70 to 79 accounted for the highest number of medical-condition records in each period supplied, with 115,270 records in 2024, 138,990 in 2025, and 122,757 between 1 January and 28 May 2026.
Since the start of 2024, 332,631 short-term medical licences have been issued to full or provisional GB licence holders.
A short-term medical licence can allow a driver to stay on the road, but with their fitness to drive reviewed sooner than it would be under a standard licence. The DVLA says these licences may be granted for one, two, three or five years.
Government guidance says the DVLA can also decide whether a driver needs to adapt their vehicle, or whether they must stop driving.
Ben Welham, our motoring expert, said: “A short-term medical licence shouldn’t be seen as a sign that someone is unsafe to drive. In many cases, it simply means the DVLA wants to review the driver’s medical position again after a set period.
“The driver may still be allowed to drive, but they should pay close attention to renewal dates and any medical evidence they are asked to provide. If symptoms change, or if they receive new medical advice, they should check whether the DVLA needs to be updated.”
Ben added: “Many people with medical conditions are still able to drive safely, but it’s important for drivers to understand when they need to tell the DVLA.
“A notifiable condition is one that could affect your ability to drive safely. This could include issues with eyesight, consciousness, mobility, memory, reaction times or a condition that could cause sudden symptoms behind the wheel.
“Drivers shouldn’t try to guess whether a condition matters, especially if they’ve recently been diagnosed or their symptoms have changed. The safest approach is to check the official DVLA guidance for that condition and speak to a doctor if they are unsure.
“Ignoring a diagnosis, medical advice or DVLA correspondence can have serious consequences. Drivers could face a fine if they fail to tell the DVLA about a condition that might affect their ability to drive safely, and the safety risks can be even more serious.”
