The DVLA rules have changed this week in a move designed to help get people back on the road quicker.
Sometimes, drivers have to give up their driving licence if they become medically unfit to drive. By law, all drivers must meet the medical standards for fitness to drive and the process to get back on the road once recovered can be long and gruelling.
But now, a change to the Road Traffic Act 1988 means that the process can be sped up. From July 20, the new laws will allow doctors to refer medical questionnaires to colleagues such as s pecialist nurses and opticians from other professional bodies.
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This forms part of an approach by DVLA to speed up elements of the medical licencing process while reducing the burden on doctors to complete DVLA medical questionnaires. Specialist nurses and opticians are among the healthcare professionals now able to complete DVLA medical questionnaires. Previously, only doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) could complete the questionnaires.
Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: "Obtaining or renewing a driving licence should always be a quick, simple and efficient process. That’s why we’re allowing more healthcare professionals to complete DVLA medical questionnaires to speed up the medical licensing process and ease the burden on GPs."
DVLA chief executive, Julie Lennard, said: "Every year we are receiving an increasing number of medical licensing applications from drivers. This law change, which widens the pool of healthcare professionals who can complete DVLA questionnaires, improves the process for those notifying DVLA of medical conditions whilst reducing the administrative burden on doctors, benefitting drivers and the NHS alike."
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