Applying for a new or updated driving licence can be a long process, especially when services are delayed.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency stated that there are no delays to online application services, however there are still some drivers waiting a while for their updated licence.
You are required to update your licence for various reasons such as when you change address and if your health changes in a way that may impact your driving ability.
Fortunately, Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act provides reasons where you are allowed to continue driving while waiting for your licence to be returned by the DVLA.
This includes being fit and healthy and a doctor or optician hasn’t told you not to drive.
In practice, you may need to rely on this section when your licence runs out while being processed.
However, there are certain criteria that must be met in order for Section 88 to apply.
Section 88 Criteria
All of the conditions below must apply:
- Your doctor must have told you that you are fit to drive
- You have held a valid driving licence and only drive vehicles you have applied for on your current application and were entitled to drive on your previous licence
- If you hold a Group 2 (bus or lorry) lience, your entitlement has not been suspended, revoked or refused by a traffic commissioner
- You meet any conditions that were specified on your previous licence that still apply
- DVLA has received your correct complete application within the last 12 months
- Your last licence was not revoked because of a medical condition
- You are not currently disqualified from driving by a court
- You were not disqualified as a high risk offender on or after June 1, 2013 (a high risk offender is a driver convicted of a serious drink driving offence
Section 88 cover is valid until any of the following apply
- You receive your new driving licence (as that will cover you to drive).
- Your application is refused or licence revoked by DVLA. You will receive a letter from DVLA if this is the case
- Your application is more than a year old.
- You have been disqualified from driving since your application was sent to the DVLA
What if I am renewing my licence because of a medical condition?
While the DVLA is completing medical investigations in order to decide whether your licence should be issued or renewed, there are some situations where you can continue to drive and some where you cannot.
The answer will not be provided by the DVLA but instead by your doctor.
Speaking to your doctor during this time will put you in the best position to decide whether Section 88 criteria is met and therefore whether you can are cannot drive while waiting for your new licence.
- If you have already told the DVLA about your medical condition
If you have previously informed the DVLA of your medical condition, you will still be able to drive while waiting for your new licence as long as all other Section 88 criteria is met.
- A new medical condition
You can also look up your condition in the ‘Assessing fitness to drive’ guide -which you can find here - to see whether you meet the medical standards for driving.
This guide is intended for healthcare professionals and can be complicated so you should seek help from your doctor if necessary.
- An existing medical condition that has changed
It is important that your medical condition in its progressed state does not bar you from driving.
If you are unsure, you should check with your doctor and can also refer to the guide here
- Licence was previously denied or revoked due to medical condition
You cannot drive if your licence was revoked or an application was denied by the DVLA due to a medical condition.
You must wait for the DVLA to reissue you with a new driving licence before you can start driving again.
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