What medical conditions do I need to declare for car insurance?

Certain medical conditions need to be declared before you can get behind the wheel. You might also need to tell the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) if a condition you already have, gets worse. To make sure you stay on the right side of the DVLA and your insurance provider, here’s what you need to know about driving with a medical condition, whether you're a young driver or, say, are over 70.

Do I need to tell the DVLA about my medical condition?

You’ll need to tell the DVLA if you develop what’s called a ‘notifiable medical condition’. These are conditions or disabilities that have the potential to negatively affect your ability to drive, including (but not limited to):

You can find a full list of notifiable conditions that you must declare at GOV.UK (and more information on how to do that here).

If you’ve already got a medical condition and it gets worse, you’ll also need to tell the DVLA.

What happens when I tell the DVLA about a medical condition?

If you have a notifiable condition, you’ll need to answer some questions from the DVLA. This can be done online, or you may need to fill in a paper form and send it off, but all the details on how to do that are on the government website.

The DVLA may need to speak to your doctor, or they may ask you to take a medical. Depending on your condition, you might also be asked to take a driving assessment. The good news is that while the DVLA assess your condition, you’ll usually still be allowed to drive.

When you declare a medical condition, the DVLA will tell you what they decide in writing; there are four possible outcomes:

Can I appeal against the DVLA’s decision?

Yes, you can appeal against the DVLA if you don’t agree with their decision. However, you must let them know you want to appeal in writing. You’ll also have to provide new evidence that shows you are able to meet current driving standards.

You can find instructions about what you need to do at GOV.UK.

What happens if I don’t tell the DVLA about a medical condition?

If you don’t tell the DVLA about a notifiable medical condition, you can be fined up to £1,000. You could also be taken to court if you have an accident.

Do I need to tell my car insurance provider about a medical condition?

Some providers don’t need to know about a notifiable medical condition and won’t ask you – so long as you’ve told the DVLA.

On the other hand, some insurers will ask whether or not you have a medical condition, in which case, you’re obliged to be upfront. If you’re asked directly and don’t tell them, it could be viewed as non-disclosure. That means any claim you make could be rejected – leaving you to pay for costly repairs.

If in doubt, tell your insurer or ask them whether they need to know about any specific medical conditions.

Is car insurance more expensive for people with medical conditions?

This will depend on whether or not your insurer asks you about any conditions in the first place. If you don’t need to declare your condition, it won’t be taken into account.

However, if you’re asked about a notifiable medical condition, it can impact your premium and it could mean you pay more. This is because from an insurer’s point of view, having a particular medical condition could increase the risk of you being involved in an accident.

Also, bear in mind that insurers will consider a whole host of factors to work out your premium and cost won’t just be about your medical condition.

Can I drive after a general anaesthetic?

The short answer is no.

A general anaesthetic can affect your body for at least 24 hours after it was given. With that in mind, official NHS advice is that you shouldn’t drive for 48 hours after having a general anaesthetic.

If I need glasses do I need to tell the DVLA?

If you already have your driving licence, you don’t need to tell the DVLA if you start wearing glasses. You also don’t need to tell them about colour blindness.

When you come to renew your licence, you’ll need to specify you need glasses to drive but this is all you need to do. It will then mean your licence is simply updated with code ‘01’ which refers to ‘eyesight correction’. You’ll also need to remember to always wear your glasses or contact lenses when you drive.

The only time you’ll need to tell them about your vision, is if it affects your ability to drive.

Can I drive if I’m hearing impaired?

Yes, deafness is not a notifiable medical condition. You won’t need to tell the DVLA and it won’t prevent you from driving.

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