Hundreds of motorists still driving despite medical licence cancellations
Fri, 05 May 2023
Hundreds of motorists in the UK continue to drive even after having their driving licences revoked due to medical reasons, new statistics have revealed.
A Freedom of Information request made by Select Car Leasing to the DVLA uncovered 1303 prosecutions for "driving after a licence has been cancelled (revoked) or refused on medical grounds" since 2019.
There were 269 endorsements last year alone, which was down from the high of 412 recorded in 2021, a year when the UK was beginning to exit its COVID-19 lockdown.
According to the DVLA, drivers can have their licence cancelled or refused on medical grounds. They also have a responsibility to inform the agency of any medical condition that might affect their driving.
Conditions such as epilepsy, visual impairment, severe mental illness, or diabetes that leads to hypoglycemia are included.
The DVLA investigates each case by liaising with medical professionals and general practitioners, and if a licence is taken away, it is because the driver is deemed to be a danger to themselves and other road users.
Despite the lengthy process, many drivers who are stripped of their licences continue to drive, as revealed by the recent data.
An LC50 offence, also known as "driving after a licence has been cancelled (revoked) or refused on medical grounds," remains on a driving licence for four years from the date of the offence.
The Select Car Leasing FOI also revealed eight prosecutions for "driving after making a false declaration about fitness when applying for a licence." Motorists who do not tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects their driving can face a fine of up to £1000.
Motorists have the right to appeal a DVLA decision to revoke their licence on medical grounds. They can also reapply for their licence if and when their doctor says they meet the medical standards for driving. Furthermore, when someone reaches 70 years old, they must renew their licence every three years.
Last year, the DVLA was criticised for the time it took to process medical-related driving licence applications, with 168,000 cases pending at the end of November 2023. The DVLA attributed the backlog to the global pandemic.
Select Car Leasing's Managing Director, Graham Conway, said that "to see such high numbers still getting behind the wheel, and being prosecuted, for driving while unfit to do so is deeply concerning."
He further stated that when there is such an obvious risk to life, drivers without a licence due to a medical condition should think long and hard before reaching for their car keys.
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