Major changes to driving licence law come into force…

Major changes to driving licence law come into force today to help DVLA backlog

In a bid to help speed up the licensing process, a new driving licence law has come into force.

From July 20, healthcare professionals other than doctors can now complete DVLA medical questionnaires, speeding up thousands of applications. The DVLA has announced that this would take place following any notification of a medical condition that may affect an individual’s driving, the Express reports.

Under the amendment to the Road Traffic Act 1988, specialist nurses and opticians, amongst other healthcare professionals can complete the medical questionnaire. This is part of an approach by the Government organisation to improve the medical licensing process, while tackling the backlog and relieving the burden on doctors.

By law, all drivers must meet the medical standards for fitness to drive and before now, a doctor would have to complete the DVLA medical forms if the patient needs it. The DVLA will continue to send questionnaires to GMC doctors and consultants but other healthcare staff involved in the patients care can complete it.

A new driving licence law has come into force. (Getty)

It will be up to individual GP practices and hospital teams as to which healthcare professional in practice is best placed to complete the questionnaire. Roads Minister, Baroness Vere praised the changes, saying it would benefit both drivers and healthcare workers.

She 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.”

It comes as a result of extensive work by DVLA, including a public consultation where 82 percent of respondents were supportive of the change in law.

It was reported that in 2020 and 2021, the DVLA received 603,000 medical notifications and applications. And the DVLA are expecting to see this number grow every year due to an increased life expectancy, an ageing population and a rise in certain medical conditions.

In addition to this, cases are also becoming more complex, with more individuals notifying DVLA of multiple medical conditions.

Julie Lennard, Chief Executive of the DVLA, 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.”

What do you think of the changes? Have your say in the comments below.

The average time taken to receive information from doctors has been severely impacted by the pandemic and other resultant demands on their time, and more than doubling in the last 12 months. It takes roughly 94 calendar days for motorcycle and car licence applications and an average of 75 calendar days for bus and lorry licence applications to be processed.

Previously, only doctors registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) could complete the questionnaires. Although there is no requirement for GP surgeries or hospital teams to make changes to their current processes, the change to the law will now allow medical professionals from the following Councils to complete medical questionnaires on behalf of doctors;

General Chiropractic Council
The General Optical Council
The General Osteopathic Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council
Health and Care Professions Council

A full list of medical conditions that drivers must declare to DVLA can be found here.

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