3 days ago
DVLA Medical Condition Records Reach 2.1 Million Drivers
The DVLA keeps records when drivers report certain medical conditions.
In May 2026, more than 2.1 million drivers had a condition recorded.
Having a record does not automatically mean someone is unsafe to drive.
Diabetes was the most common condition listed.
Other recorded conditions included pacemakers, glaucoma, epilepsy and dementia.
Some drivers had their licences refused, revoked or surrendered after medical notifications.
Others received short-term licences so their health could be checked more often.
Drivers must tell the DVLA about certain conditions or worsening symptoms.
Failing to report a relevant condition can lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
DVLA records show 2,175,859 Great Britain drivers had a medical condition recorded in May 2026.
The total rose from 1,849,423 in May 2024 to 2,175,859 in May 2026, an increase of about 17.7%.
Diabetes was the most frequently recorded condition among both car and motorcycle drivers and Group 2 licence holders.
From 2024 through May 28, 2026, 140,981 cases affected driving entitlements through revocation, refusal or surrender.
DVLA issued 332,631 short-term medical licences from the beginning of 2024, allowing more frequent fitness assessments.
- Who
- More than 2.1 million full or provisional drivers in Great Britain, with records held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
- What
- The number of drivers with recorded medical conditions reached 2,175,859, while some medical notifications affected driving entitlements and led to short-term licences.
- Where
- Great Britain.
- When
- The main total refers to May 2026; condition counts for some categories cover January 1 through May 28, 2026, and entitlement figures cover 2024 through May 28, 2026.
- Why
- The increase may reflect more drivers reporting conditions and greater DVLA awareness of medical fitness; the records are used to assess whether drivers can continue driving safely.
Medical records indicate increased monitoring
Medical records do not automatically indicate unsafe driving
Meaning of the increase
Medical records indicate increased monitoring
The rising number of recorded conditions shows that medical fitness checks and DVLA monitoring are becoming more relevant for drivers.
Medical records do not automatically indicate unsafe driving
The increase is not necessarily evidence of less road safety and may reflect greater reporting by drivers and increased DVLA awareness.
Effect of a medical condition
Medical records indicate increased monitoring
Some medical notifications resulted in licences being revoked, applications being refused or licences being surrendered.
Medical records do not automatically indicate unsafe driving
A medical condition on a DVLA record does not automatically mean that a driver is unfit to drive.
Short-term licences
Medical records indicate increased monitoring
Short-term licences allow the DVLA to reassess eligible drivers' medical fitness more frequently.
Medical records do not automatically indicate unsafe driving
The licences also allow eligible drivers to continue driving while their medical fitness is assessed, typically for one, two, three or five years.
Key facts
- Medical-condition records
- 2,175,859 drivers recorded in May 2026.
- Two-year comparison
- The total increased from 1,849,423 in May 2024 to 2,175,859 in May 2026, or about 17.7%.
- Most common condition
- Diabetes, with 63,473 records among Group 1 licence holders from January 1 to May 28, 2026.
- Group 2 diabetes records
- Diabetes was also the leading condition among bus and lorry drivers, with 6,243 records.
- Affected driving entitlements
- 140,981 cases from the beginning of 2024 through May 28, 2026 led to revocation, application refusal or competent surrender.
- Short-term medical licences
- 332,631 were issued from the beginning of 2024.
- Possible reporting penalty
- Drivers who fail to disclose a relevant condition may face a fine of up to £1,000.
Sources
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