UK drivers can now renew a medical driving licence online for the first time – what you should know
Key Points
- DVLA has expanded its online medical notification service to cover around 1,600 conditions for car and motorcycle licence holders.
- Applications made online can be processed up to 10 days faster than paper forms, with a first action taken within 24 hours in many cases.
- More than 60,000 drivers have used the enhanced service, with digital uptake growing almost 50% over the past year.
- Drivers with multiple medical conditions can renew their licence online for the first time, and renew their licence photo in the same transaction.
- Further changes this year will open online medical notifications to drivers renewing at 70, first-time provisional applicants and those whose licence was surrendered or revoked.
Car and motorcycle licence holders can now notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of around 1,600 medical conditions online, cutting up to 10 days off the wait for a decision compared with paper applications.
The agency confirmed the expansion on Monday (17 August), noting more than 60,000 drivers have already used the enhanced online medical service. Drivers can check on GOV.UK how a condition may affect their driving and, where the law requires it, tell DVLA online.
The DVLA said it is dealing with exceptionally high demand for applications from customers with medical conditions. In many cases it takes the first action on an online application, such as referring it to a healthcare professional, within 24 hours.
The service runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, guides customers through each step and lets them track an application’s progress.
Drivers with multiple medical conditions can renew their driving licence online for the first time, and medical licence holders can renew their licence photo in the same transaction rather than as a separate one. Digital uptake of the service has grown by almost 50% over the past year.
Further improvements planned for this year will extend online medical notifications into more customer journeys.
Drivers renewing their licence at age 70, first-time provisional licence applicants and customers whose licence was previously surrendered or revoked will all be able to use online medical notifications as part of those transactions.
“Drivers need to be able to report medical conditions quickly and easily. I understand their frustration and that’s why I’ve been working closely with the DVLA to push forward improvements to the services drivers receive,” said Justin Madders, Roads Minister.
“This quick, easy-to-use online service is making it easier for drivers to report their medical conditions, making our roads safer for everyone that uses them. This new initiative will save people time and money so they can keep their licences up to date, and it’s already working for thousands of customers using the service,” he added.
More than 60,000 drivers have already switched to our online medical service, saving time, avoiding paperwork and benefiting from a faster application process, said Tim Moss, DVLA Chief Executive.
“Customers can save up to 10 days by applying online rather than by post. As well as making applications quicker and easier, drivers using the service have collectively avoided tens of thousands of pounds in postage costs,” he said.
Drivers using the online option avoid paper forms and postage costs, can report more than one condition in a single notification and can follow the application through to a decision without contacting DVLA.
