People who lose their driving licence after being declared medically unit can now get it back more quickly thanks to a change in the rules. By law, drivers must meet the medical standards for fitness to drive and have faced a lengthy process to get their licence back if it is suspended.
But from July 20, the new laws allow doctors to refer medical questionnaires to colleagues such as specialist nurses and opticians. Previously, only doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) could complete the questionnaires, reports The Echo.
Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: "Obtaining or renewing a driving licence should always be a quick, simple and efficient process. That’s why we’re allowing more healthcare professionals to complete DVLA medical questionnaires to speed up the medical licensing process and ease the burden on GPs."
DVLA chief executive, Julie Lennard, said: "Every year we are receiving an increasing number of medical licensing applications from drivers. 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 whilst reducing the administrative burden on doctors, benefitting drivers and the NHS alike."
