Driving Licences: Health
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce delays for drivers whose licences require medical review by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
Answered by Simon Lightwood
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has seen sustained growth in the volume and complexity of driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated before a licence can be issued. The length of time taken to deal with an application often depends on the condition(s) involved and whether further information is required from third parties, for example doctors or other healthcare professionals, before a licence can be issued.
To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA has launched a new casework system and a new digital medical services portal. This new online service covers around 1,600 medical conditions and allows the majority of customers to apply online via the DVLA’s driver and vehicles account. While digital services are increasingly available, the DVLA recognises that not all customers can or want to access services online or via a mobile device. Customers can contact the DVLA by telephone, or in writing and paper application facilities continue to be available.
These changes are already helping the DVLA to process applications more quickly and further enhancements for customers applying for a provisional licence and those renewing at the age of 70 or over will be made later this summer.
The DVLA encourages customers to use the online service wherever possible to help speed up processing times.
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