Driving & Occupational Considerations (DVLA Group 1 & 2)

Lesson 1: Driving & Occupational Considerations (DVLA Group 1 & 2)

  • Difference between professional and vocational
  • Group 1 and Group 2 entitlements
  • Can be done by any registered doctor
  • DVLA states anyone with a medical condition likely to cause a sudden disabling event at the wheel, or is unable to control their vehicle safely for any other reason must not drive
  • Group 2 licensing requirements are much harsher
  • Group 1 includes car and motorcycles
  • Group 2: large lorries, buses, blue light driving
  • u2018At work driversu2019 refers to individuals who drive on public roads for purpose of their occupation e.g. company car drivers, van and minibus drivers who fall under scope of DVLA Group 1 licensing

DVLA Group 1

  • Legal obligation to declare any relevant medical conditions
  • Basic visual performance assessed at practical driving test u2013 reading number plate at 20 metres
  • Minimum eyesight standard: must not drive and notify DVLA if standards not met (car registration at 20m and visual acuity of Snellen 6/22)
  • Group 1 license expires at age of 70 with subsequent 3 year renewal subject to new medical declaration (complete D1 form)

Neurological

  • First unprovoked seizure: notify DVLA and no driving from 6 months or 12 months if there is an underlying causative factor which could increase risk
  • Epilepsy/multiple unprovoked seizure: notify DVLA and no driving for 12 months from date of last seizure
  • Must not drive for 6 months whilst coming of anti-epiletic medication
  • TIA: No driving for 1 month, no need to notify DVLA
  • Stroke/cerebral venous thrombosis: may need to notify DVLA if neurological deficit > 1 month, no driving for 1 month u00a0
  • Traumatic brain injury: may need to notify DVLA, no driving for atleast 6 months

Cardiovascular

  • Angina: no need to notify DVLA, no driving when symptoms occur u00a0
  • ACS: No need to notify DVLA, no driving for 1 week if straightforward PCI (if not successful PCI refrain from driving for 4 weeks)u00a0
  • Elective PCI: No need to notify DVLA, no driving for 1 week
  • CABG: No need to notify DVLA, no driving for 4 weeksu00a0
  • Arrythmias: must not drive if arrythmia causes incapacity and must notify DVLA if arrythmia not controlled for atleast 4 weeks and underlying cause not found
  • Pacemaker implant: no driving for 1 week and inform DVLA

Diabetes

  • Insulin diabetes/diabetes with hypoglycaemia inducing effects: inform DVLA and must have
  • Awareness of hypoglycaemia
  • No more than 1 episode of severe hypoglycaemia while awake in the past 12 months and the most recent episode occurred more than 3 months agou00a0u00a0
  • Glucose monitoring u2013 check blood glucose every 2 hours and 2 hours before driving
  • Regular reviewsu00a0
  • Meets visual standard
  • Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia: must notify DVLA and must not drive until awareness regained u2022Temporary insulin (less than 3 months)- donu2019t need to inform DVLA, do need to check blood sugar 2 hourly and if more than one hypo need to stop driving
  • Temporary insulin (less than 3 months)- donu2019t need to inform DVLA, do need to check blood sugar 2 hourly and if more than one hypo need to stop driving

Mental Health

  • Severe anxiety/depression: notify DVLA and no driving for atleast 3 months
  • Dementia: notify DVLA and may be able to drive

DVLA Group 2

  • Group 2 licenses need to be renewed every 5 years age 45 and over until age 65 when they are reviewed annually without an upper age limit (need to complete application D2 form and D4 form completed by doctor)

Neurological Group 2

  • First unprovoked seizure: notify DVLA and no driving for 5 years from date of seizure
  • Epilepsy/multiple unprovoked seizure: notify DVLA and seizure free for 10 years without epilepsy medication before licensing considered
  • Transient LOC 1st episode: must not drive and notify DVLA
  • Recurrent unexplained syncope: must not drive and inform DVLA (if no cause identified license will be refused/revoked for 10 years)
  • Narcolepsy: must not drive and inform DVLA- license may be issued when satisfactory symptom control for at least 3 months
  • Stroke/TIA/cerebral venous thrombosis: must not drive for 1 year and notify DVLA
  • Brain tumours: must not drive for atleast 1 year

Cardiovascular Group 2

  • Angina: inform DVLA, license revoked if symptoms continue
  • ACS: Inform DVLA, no driving for atleast 6 weeks
  • Elective PCI: Inform DVLA and must not drive for atleast 6 weeks
  • CABG: Inform DVLA and must not drive for atleast 3 months
  • Arrythmias: must inform DVLA and must not drive until control for 3 months
  • Pacemaker: must not drive and inform DVLA

Endocrine

  • Insulin: drivers taking insulin should check their blood glucose (using a monitor with a memory function) within 2 hours of starting driving, every 2 hours whilst driving and atleast twice a day when not driving (monitoring may also be required for drivers taking oral medication with risk of hypoglycemia)
  • Must have full awareness of hypoglycemia
  • No episode of severe hypoglycaemia preceding the last 12 months
  • Hypoglycaemia unawareness: must not drive and inform DVLA
  • Temporary insulin (less than 3 months): need to inform DVLA, apply for restricted license and if you have more than 1 severe hypo must stop driving and inform DVLA
  • Diabetes (non- insulin but on medications that can cause hypoglycemia)): Inform DVLA but may drive as long as no episode of severe hypoglycemia in the last 12 months and full awareness of hypoglycemia ,regular self monitoring (same as insulin)

Mental Health

  • Severe depression/anxiety causing concentration or suicidal thoughts: must not drive for atleast 6 months and inform DVLA
  • Alcohol: must not drive until at least 1 year of abstinence and inform DVLA
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