Stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
The DVLA provides stroke/TIA specific advice for assessment of driving after a stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA or mini stroke) In summary, group 1 licence holders (generally non professional drivers) who have a stroke must not drive for a month and can only resume if there has been a satisfactory clinical recovery. The DVLA only has to be notified if one month after the stroke there are physical, cognitive or visual issues.
People who have a single TIA must not drive for a month and don’t need to notify the DVLA.
Those who have multiple strokes/TIAs must not drive for 1 month following their most recent stroke/TIA and can only resume if there has been a satisfactory clinical recovery, especially relating to visual, cognition and physical difficulties. The DVLA only has to be notified if recovery is not deemed satisfactory.
Other neurological conditions
The DVLA also provides specific advice for assessment of driving for a number of neurological conditions, including individuals with a Serious Neurological Disorder, Epilepsy, Chronic Neurological Disorders (including Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neurone Disease), Parkinson’s Disease, Benign Brain Tumours, Malignant Brain Tumours, Traumatic Brain Injuries. For a full list of conditions and their specific guidance please review the DVLA website.
Applicants and licence holders have a legal duty to:
- notify the DVLA of any injury or illness that would have a likely impact on safe driving ability (except some short-term conditions)
- notify the DVLA if a condition or disability has got worse since you got your licence
- respond fully and accurately to any requests for information from either the DVLA or healthcare professionals
- comply with the requirements of the issued licence, including any periodic medical reviews indicated by the DVLA
You can be fined if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.
Useful Resources
DVLA – Check if a health condition affects your driving
DVLA – Assessing fitness to drive: guide for medical professionals
DVLA – Neurological disorders general information: assessing fitness to drive
DVLA – Visual Disorders: assessing fitness to drive
DVLA – Appendices: assessing fitness to drive
DVLA – Patient Driving Leaflet
DVLA – Report a medical condition (Form STR1)
DVLA – Report a medical condition for Group 2 drivers (Form STR1V)
Regional Driving assessment Centre (RDAC)
Stroke Association – Patient Driving Leaflet
Visual Impairment Patient Driving Leaflet
Parkinson’s Disease Driving Questionnaire
Parkinson’s Disease Driving Leaflet
Driving and Transport with MND Information Leaflet