DVLA medical questionnaire changes come into force

Changes have been formally introduced that allow a wider pool of healthcare professionals to complete DVLA medical questionnaire forms that are sent following the Agency being notified of a medical condition that could affect an individual’s ability to drive. 

The development required a change to the Road Traffic Act 1988 and came into force on 20 July. It follows a consultation launched in late 2021 by DVLA and plans that were formalised in May. Previously, only doctors could complete the medical questionnaires, but now professionals from the following Councils will also be permitted to do so:

• The General Chiropractic Council 
• The General Optical Council 
• The General Osteopathic Council 
• The Health and Care Professionals Council 
• The Nursing and Midwifery Council. 

No alterations have been made to processes surrounding the D4 medical examination report for vocational licence holders. It must still be completed by a doctor or consultant registered with the General Medical Council. 

DVLA says that the change to medical questionnaires will potentially speed the decision-making process after it has been notified of a condition. The Agency previously acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly impacted the average time taken for medical questionnaires to be returned, which when the consultation was launched stood at around 75 calendar days. 

Under the new arrangement, DVLA will continue to send medical questionnaire forms to doctors and consultants. It will then be up to individual practices and hospital teams to decide which professional is best placed to complete them. There is no requirement for doctors’ surgeries or hospital teams to change their current processes, however. 

Speaking about the change to the law, DVLA Chief Executive Julie Lennard says: “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 while reducing the administrative burden on doctors – benefitting drivers and the NHS alike.”