Britons with high blood pressure face £1,000 fine and prosecution for DVLA driving licence error
Motorists could be slapped with a £1,000 fine for not telling the DVLA about medical conditions
PA
Drivers with high blood pressure are being warned that they could face a huge fine and other punishments if they do not adhere to DVLA rules.
Motorists are required to tell the DVLA if they develop a "notifiable" medical condition or disability, or their condition has got worse since they got your licence.
Some of the notifiable conditions are quite common including if they have diabetes or take insulin, if they are prone to fainting, have heart conditions or suffer from sleep apnoea.
However, motorists who do not tell the DVLA about a condition that might impact their ability to drive safely could be slapped with a £1,000 fine.
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Bus, coach and lorry drivers need to tell the DVLA if they have high blood pressure
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Drivers could see their punishment escalated if their medical condition, which they didn't tell the DVLA about, leads to them being involved in an accident and could see them prosecuted.
Having high blood pressure could cause drivers to suddenly have their driving ability impaired, potentially raising the likelihood of an accident.
While car and motorcycle owners do not need to tell the DVLA if they have high blood pressure, someone must stop driving if a doctor says they have malignant hypertension.
Road users are required to tell the DVLA about their condition if they hold a bus, coach or lorry driving licence.
Experts from Big Wants Your Car, said: "It's crucial to follow the DVLA's guidelines, which require you to stop driving until a doctor confirms your blood pressure is under control and consistently below 180/110mmHg.
"It's vital to ensure your condition is well-managed before getting back behind the wheel, as driving with untreated high blood pressure can have dangerous consequences.
"The rules are clear — safe driving is only possible when your blood pressure is consistently below 180/100mmHg."
Someone with high blood pressure can return to the road once a doctor confirms that the condition is well controlled and when their blood pressure is consistently below 180/110mmHg.
At the end of August, the DVLA updated its guidance relating to medical conditions and driving licences to ensure motorists are safe on the road.
This included amending the time required off driving in isolated subdural haematoma without traumatic brain injury, with drivers needing at least six months off.
It also changed the terminology from "behaviour disorders - including post-head injury, dissociative seizures" to "behavioural disturbances – including post-head injury".
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Drivers need to inform the DVLA about particular medical conditions
GETTYThe DVLA also looked to clarify the definition of controlled drinking as: "Drinking at a level and in a manner which their clinician confirms acceptably controls their alcohol use disorder and their alcohol use is unlikely to impact on personal, social, and work responsibilities."
Drivers who misuse alcohol persistently must not drive and must notify the DVLA. The licence will only be reconsidered after a minimum of six months of controlled drinking or abstinence.
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