Driving Licences: Health
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time has been for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to process medical driving licence applications in each of the past three years; and what steps are being taken to reduce delays.
Answered by Simon Lightwood
The table below shows the average time the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) took to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition must be investigated:
Financial Year | Working days |
2025/26 (to end of November) | 51 |
2024/25 | 44 |
2023/24 | 56 |
The table below shows the number of medical driving licence applications that were outstanding on 3 December for the periods requested:
| More than three months | More than six months | More than nine months |
Number of cases | 72,428 | 22,600 | 2,288 |
In 2024/25, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions. The DVLA aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.
The quickest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. Drivers with diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, visual impairments, sleep conditions or heart conditions can renew their driving licence online.
The DVLA is focusing on delivering significant improvements to digital services for applicants with medical conditions but medical investigations vary widely in their complexity.
The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity, increased automation, higher levels of digital functionality and increased digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication.
Applicants may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf
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