Drivers have been warned about six surprising health conditions that the DVLA must be notified about – or motorists could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Motoring experts from no-hassle car hire comparison site StressFreeCarRental.com have revealed six illnesses and ailments that must be declared, including vertigo and sleep apnoea.
Motorists can be fined up to £1,000 if they fail to tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects their driving, and drivers may also be prosecuted if they are involved in an accident because of a health condition.
Whilst some conditions – like epilepsy and head injuries – should obviously be reported, other illnesses have unexpected side effects that could impact a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle properly.
As a result, you should notify the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency if you suffer from conditions like insulin-treated diabetes, and even déjà vu.
A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “A few of the conditions we’ve highlighted are obscure, but when you consider their side effects, it’s clear to see why the DVLA need to know.
“If you forget and are involved in an accident as a result of your health condition, it could even lead to prosecution – so it’s really imperative to make sure you’re abiding the rules.
“The rules for certain health conditions differ for bus, coach or lorry drivers, so it’s always best to double-check.”
1. Diabetes
You need to tell DVLA if you have diabetes treated by insulin, and your insulin treatments last or will last over three months. This applies if you had gestational diabetes too. You should also let them know if you get disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) or if a medical professional has told you that you’re at risk of developing it.
2. Vertigo
If you experience dizziness that is sudden, disabling, or recurrent, you must tell DVLA. This applies to car, motorcycle, bus, coach and lorry drivers.
3. Déjà vu
You must tell DVLA if you have seizures or epilepsy that cause déjà vu. Déjà vu is a neurological anomaly related to epileptic electrical discharge in the brain, creating a strong sensation that an event or experience currently being experienced has already been experienced in the past. You should talk to your doctor if you’re not sure if your déjà vu is related to seizures or epilepsy.
4. Sleep apnoea
There are several sleep disorders that you should tell DVLA about, including confirmed moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), narcolepsy, cataplexy, and any other sleep condition that has caused excessive sleepiness for at least three months. You should also notify them if you’re taking medication that has caused excessive sleepiness for three months.
5. Labyrinthitis
You must tell DVLA if you have labyrinthitis, which is an inner ear disorder that can cause dizziness, nausea, and loss of hearing.
6. Heart palpitations
If you regularly have heart palpitations, which are heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable and may feel like pounding, fluttering, or irregular beating, the DVLA require you to inform them.
