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Patients have a legal duty to inform the DVLA about their condition, explains DrLynda Carter
Driving licence holders have a legal duty to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), or the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland, of any disability which may cause a danger to the public if they were to drive.
The DVLA produces the At a glance guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive for medical practitioners that is easy to access online. The booklet is designed to help doctors advise their patients whether or not they should inform the DVLA of their medical condition.
However, the DVLA states that this booklet is only guidance and, where appropriate, the specific medical factors of each case will be considered before an individual licensing decision is reached.
The guidance covers group 1, which isalicencefordrivingcars and motorcycles; and group 2, which includes lorries and buses. The medical standards for group 2 drivers are higher, due to the size and weight of the vehicle and because the driver may spend longer at the wheel.
Upper age limit
There is no upper age limit to driving. A group 1 licence can be issuedfromagel7years(16years if disabled) and is valid until 70 years. From the age of 70 years thisisrenewedeverythreeyears with a medical self- declaration by the applicant
A group 2 licence is normally issued at age 21 years and is valid until 45 years. From then on...