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DVLA takes advice from Honorary Medical Advisory Panels to make informed decisions about health standards required for safe driving.

Britain has some of the safest roads in the world and driver licensing plays a vital role in that. Every motorist must meet the required standards and for those behind the wheels of large or passenger carrying vehicles, these standards are often higher.

Licensing is a complex matter for which DVLA often seeks the advice of medical experts. The overarching medical standards for driving are in part based on both UK and European law. This legislation underpins everything that we do in regard to driver licensing decisions. Standards around, for example, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy and vision are set in legislation but others are the result of advice from the six Honorary Medical Advisory Panels to the Secretary of State.

We take advice from these panels to make informed decisions about health standards required for safe driving. The panels focus on the conditions that impact on safe driving and are made up of nationally and internationally renowned experts, particularly in the fields listed below.

These standards are continually reviewed in light of recent medical developments, particularly in the field of traffic medicine.

The six panels cover:

• cardiology
• neurology
• diabetes
• vision
• alcohol or substance misuse and dependence
• psychiatry

The panels meet twice a year and between meetings, may also provide additional advice to DVLA.

If anyone is concerned they have a condition which may affect their ability to drive safely, they can find lots of helpful information on GOV.UK. If they are still unsure they should speak to their GP or relevant medical practitioner.