Driving licence laws have changed this week with an amendment that aims to speed up the process of getting back on the road for some drivers.
The DVLA announced on Wednesday that healthcare professionals other than doctors can now complete medical questionnaires. The questionnaires must be completed when an individual has a medical condition that may affect their driving.
While previously only doctors registered with the General Medical Council could complete the questionnaires, the amendment to the Road Traffic Act 1988 means that they can now refer them to colleagues such as specialist nurses and opticians. The change hopes to speed up the process so that drivers who have had to give up their licence after becoming medically unfit to be behind the wheel can get their licence back more quickly, while also helping to reduce the burden on doctors.
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Driving licence holders must tell the DVLA if they develop a “notifiable” medical condition or disability, or if an existing condition has got worse since they received their licence. Conditions that could affect a motorist’s ability to drive safely include diabetes, heart conditions, sleep apnoea and epilepsy.
The Gov.uk website has an online service where drivers can check if their condition needs to be reported to the DVLA. You could be fined up to £1,000 if you fail to inform the DVLA about a medical condition that could affect your driving.
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