More than 2.1 million drivers have medical conditions recorded with DVLA

More than 2.1 million full or provisional driving licence holders in Great Britain had a medical condition recorded with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in May 2026, new Freedom of Information data has revealed.

Figures obtained by Marshall Motor Group show the total reached 2,175,859, an increase of 326,436 compared with May 2024. The rise represents 17.7% over two years and means around one in every 25 licence holders now has a declared medical condition on their DVLA record.

The data has implications for professional drivers, including taxi and private hire vehicle licensees, whose ability to work depends on retaining both a DVLA driving entitlement and the appropriate local authority licence.

Diabetes was the most frequently recorded condition among Group 1 licence holders, covering cars and motorcycles. Between 1 January and 28 May 2026, the DVLA recorded 63,473 cases involving diabetes.

Pacemakers were the second most common condition, with 18,516 records, followed by glaucoma with 16,551 and epilepsy with 14,711. Dementia accounted for 11,909 records, Parkinson’s for 10,279 and multiple sclerosis for 8,222.

Sleep apnoea was recorded in 7,398 cases, while strokes accounted for 6,430 and visual problems for 6,031. Other frequently recorded conditions included solitary seizures, blackouts, implanted heart defibrillators, macular degeneration and cataracts.

Diabetes was also the leading condition among Group 2 licence holders, which covers bus and lorry entitlements. There were 6,243 diabetes records during the opening months of 2026, followed by 2,397 involving hypertension and 738 connected to arrhythmia.

A further 737 Group 2 records related to diabetes controlled with certain medication, while 636 involved other visual problems. Heart attacks, glaucoma, angina, strokes, obstructive sleep apnoea and epilepsy also appeared among the conditions recorded.

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The number of licence holders with a declared condition has climbed steadily. There were 1,849,423 licence holders with a medical condition recorded in May 2024, rising to 1,992,978 in May 2025 and 2,175,859 one year later.

Having a condition recorded does not automatically prevent someone from driving. Depending on the diagnosis and its severity, the DVLA may request medical evidence, impose more frequent reviews, require vehicle adaptations or withdraw a person’s entitlement.

Since the start of 2024, there have been 140,981 records in which a licence entitlement was revoked, a new application was refused or a driver voluntarily surrendered their entitlement after a medical notification. This included 68,164 cases in 2024, 61,436 in 2025 and 11,381 between 1 January and 28 May 2026.

The total equates to an average of around 160 decisions per day across the period analysed. Eye-related conditions were among the most common reasons for adverse licensing decisions.

Among Group 1 drivers in 2026, 910 cases were linked to eyesight falling below the required standard. Another 425 involved visual field refusals and 187 followed failed roadside eyesight tests. Eyesight below the required Group 2 standard accounted for 100 decisions affecting bus or lorry entitlements.

Heart-related issues, including implanted cardiac defibrillators, unsatisfactory cardiac tests and left ventricular ejection fraction below 40%, were also connected to licences being revoked, refused or surrendered.

Drivers aged between 70 and 79 accounted for the largest number of medical-condition records in each period supplied. There were 115,270 records involving the age group in 2024, 138,990 in 2025 and 122,757 between January and May 2026.

More than 332,000 short-term medical licences have been issued since the beginning of 2024. These licences can allow motorists to continue driving while requiring their medical fitness to be reviewed sooner than under a standard licence. They may be issued for one, two, three or five years.

Ben Welham, motoring expert at Marshall Motor Group, said: “A short-term medical licence shouldn’t be seen as a sign that someone is unsafe to drive. In many cases, it simply means the DVLA wants to review the driver’s medical position again after a set period.

“The driver may still be allowed to drive, but they should pay close attention to renewal dates and any medical evidence they are asked to provide. If symptoms change, or if they receive new medical advice, they should check whether the DVLA needs to be updated.”

Drivers must notify the DVLA if they develop a notifiable medical condition or if an existing condition worsens. Failure to disclose a condition that could affect safe driving can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Welham added: “Drivers shouldn’t try to guess whether a condition matters, especially if they’ve recently been diagnosed or their symptoms have changed. The safest approach is to check the official DVLA guidance for that condition and speak to a doctor if they are unsure.

“Ignoring a diagnosis, medical advice or DVLA correspondence can have serious consequences. Drivers could face a fine if they fail to tell the DVLA about a condition that might affect their ability to drive safely, and the safety risks can be even more serious.”