The DVLA has a duty to ensure that if you’re driving on the road that you’re fit to do so. There are certain medical conditions that can have an impact on your driving ability, therefore you will need to tell them about these. But for High-Risk Offenders there’s a different set of rules, and you must satisfy the DVLA that you’re fit to drive by passing a medical exam.
High Risk Offenders are those who have been convicted of drink driving and have been disqualified from driving. When their disqualification is due to expire they will need to have an independent examination that is carried out with a DVLA appointed doctor before their licence will be issued back to them.
The DVLA fitness to drive medical is made up of at least three parts, an examination, a CDT blood test and a questionnaire. If the doctor feels it’s relevant to carry out any other tests they have the discretion to do so.
For those who have been covered by the high risk offender scheme, the DVLA will send you a D27 renewal form around 90 days before your disqualification ends. However, it’s not necessary for you to wait for this form before you re-apply for your licence and take your medical, this can be done any time within 90 days before your disqualification ends.
If you haven’t taken your medical and re-applied with the DVLA before your disqualification expires, you won’t be able to drive until this has all been completed and the DVLA says you are fit to drive.
How to pass DVLA medical
The DVLA medical exam that is required of high risk offenders is a thorough examination to ensure that you are physically and mentally fit to get behind the wheel again, if you’re not the results could be deadly for you and other drivers on the road.
Therefore it’s hard to cheat the DVLA medical and if you answer the questionnaire to the best of your ability and pass the medical examination with the doctor then you’ll pass the test and be safe to drive again.
The questionnaire goes into detail about your drinking habits, asking information about the amount of alcohol you drink each week, as well as questioning you about any past or present alcohol abuse. It also focuses on any misuse of alcohol or dependency problems you might face.
The physical part of the DVLA medical sees you provide a blood sample, sometimes a urine sample can be requested and a brief physical medical examination, this can include an eye test.
To pass the DVLA medical you need to show the doctor that there isn’t any evidence of persistent alcohol misuse in the last six months. You must also show that there isn’t any alcohol dependency in the last 12 months. You will fail to pass the DVLA medical if there is evidence of current alcohol misuse or dependency and this is something that can’t be hidden away discreetly.
Appeal DVLA licencing decision
If you would like to appeal a decision made by the DVLA in regards to withholding or revoking your driving licence you can appeal to the magistrate’s court to do so. This appeal must be made within six months.