Doctors criticise system for establishing medical fitness to drive

• Number of drivers having their licence refused or revoked on medical grounds is falling, despite an aging population
• Two thirds (64 per cent) of doctors believe current regulations are ineffective, with drivers medically incapable of driving safely still on the road
• Over 25,583 drivers had their licence revoked or refused in 2018 on medical grounds
   

A study¹ conducted by Direct Line Car Insurance reveals almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of doctors believe people medically incapable of driving safely are still on the road, because the current system for assessing fitness to drive is ineffective.

The number of drivers having their licence refused or revoked on medical grounds has been falling. Between 2016 and 2017 the number of Group 1 (car or motorcycle) licences refused or revoked on medical grounds fell by four per cent, from 61,563 down to 59,163. In 2018², the DVLA has so far refused or revoked 25,583 Group 1 licences on medical grounds.

Despite the number of licences revoked by the DVLA falling, there has been a 15 per cent increase in notifications to the DVLA of drivers that may have a medical condition that affects their ability to drive. In 2017, the DVLA received 200,289 notifications from drivers, up from 173,975 in 2016.

Table one:  Reports and licence revocations on medical grounds 2016-July 2018

Direct Line Car Insurance analysis of DVLA data, 2018

Questions remain as to whether the system for reporting if someone is medically fit to drive safely is working properly. New guidance issued by the General Medical Council in 20174 stated doctors must “make every reasonable effort” to persuade patients to contact the DVLA voluntarily if they were medically unfit to drive, but GPs must inform the authorities if they believe there is a “risk of death or serious harm” to others. However, the majority (81 per cent) of GPs are still notifying the DVLA about the same number of medical conditions affecting drivers as they did before the new rules came into force, with just 16 per cent making more referrals. While doctors have a duty of confidentiality to their patients, they also have a wider duty to protect and promote the health of patients and the public.

When doctors do make reports to the DVLA they feel there is a failure in the process when it comes to reporting back to them. The clear majority (80 per cent) of doctors believe it would be beneficial if the DVLA routinely informed them of the outcome of an enquiry assessing a patients’ fitness to drive, so they could monitor if a patient claimed to still be driving after a licence revocation or refusal.

Gus Park, Managing Director of Motor Insurance at Direct Line commented: “When doctors believe the system for ensuring that only medically fit drivers are on the road is broken we need to stand up and take notice. We need to educate motorists about conditions that could impair their ability to drive and encourage them to seek a professional medical opinion. Driving is complex and requires motorists to have a high degree of skill and react incredibly quickly to changes in the environment. Anything that impairs this ability puts the motorist and all other road users at risk.”  

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

¹ Research conducted by PureProfile among 191 doctors (of which 96 percent are general practitioners) between 28th May and 1st June 2018

²  Analysis of data supplied by the DVLA on 1st August 2018 in response to a Freedom of Information Act (2000) request made by Direct Line.  Data provided captures the period 1st January 2016 – 20thJuly

³ Latest data set available from DVLA

⁴ https://www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors#confidentiality
 

For further information please contact:
 

Chloe French 
PR Manager 
Direct Line Group
Tel: 01651 831 715
Email: Chloe.French@directlinegroup.co.uk

Nick Andrews
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
nick.andrews@citigatedewerogerson.com
0207 282 1050
 

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