Data shows 2.1m drivers reported medical condition to DVLA
More than 2.1 million full or provisional GB driving licence holders have a medical condition recorded with the DVLA, according to new data.
Following a Freedom of Information request by Marshall Motor Group, the number of licence holders with a declared medical condition on their DVLA record has increased by more than 326,000 in two years, with around one in 25 licence holders now affected.
Medical condition report on the rise
Diabetes was the most commonly recorded condition among both car/motorcycle licence holders (Group 1) and bus/lorry licence holders (Group 2).
Heart and eye-related conditions also appeared among the most common issues recorded, including pacemakers, glaucoma, visual problems, heart rhythm conditions and heart attacks.
Drivers are required to tell the DVLA if they develop a “notifiable” medical condition, or if an existing condition worsens, and could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they fail to report anything that might affect their ability to drive safely.
Among Group 1 licence holders, which includes cars and motorcycles, diabetes was the most commonly recorded medical condition in 2026, with 63,473 records.
Top 10 conditions
The top 10 most common medical conditions for Group 1 licence holders between 1 January and 28 May 2026 were:
- Diabetes (63,473 records)
- Pacemakers (18,516)
- Glaucoma (16,551)
- Epilepsy (14,711)
- Dementia (11,909)
- Parkinson’s (10,279)
- Multiple sclerosis (8,222)
- Sleep apnoea (7,398)
- Stroke (6,430)
- Visual problems (6,031)
Other commonly recorded conditions included solitary seizures, visual conditions where the specific issue was unknown, blackouts of unknown cause, heart defibrillators, macular degeneration and cataracts.
Diabetes (6,243 records) was also the most commonly recorded condition among Group 2 licence holders, which includes bus and lorry entitlements, followed by hypertension (2,397), arrhythmia (738), diabetes controlled with certain medication (737), and other visual problems (636).
Other conditions among the most commonly recorded for Group 2 licence holders included heart attacks, visual acuity issues, glaucoma, cataracts, angina, angioplasty, stroke, obstructive sleep apnoea and epilepsy.
Medical condition records rise by 17.7%
In May 2024, 1,849,423 full or provisional GB licence holders had a medical condition recorded with the DVLA. This rose to 1,992,978 in May 2025, before reaching 2,175,859 in May 2026.
Having a medical condition recorded with the DVLA doesn’t automatically mean someone has to stop driving. Many drivers with medical conditions can continue to drive safely, but they may need to notify the DVLA, provide medical information, or have their fitness to drive reviewed more regularly.
Since the start of 2024, the DVLA data shows 140,981 records where a GB licence holder had their entitlement to drive revoked, had a new application refused, or voluntarily surrendered their entitlement following medical condition notifications.
This includes 68,164 cases in 2024, 61,436 in 2025, and 11,381 between 1 January and 28 May 2026, equivalent to around 160 per day on average across the full period analysed.
Drivers aged 70 to 79 accounted for the highest number of medical-condition records in each period supplied, with 115,270 records in 2024, 138,990 in 2025, and 122,757 between 1 January and 28 May 2026.
332,000 short-term medical licences
Since the start of 2024, 332,631 short-term medical licences have been issued to full or provisional GB licence holders.
A short-term medical licence can allow a driver to stay on the road, but with their fitness to drive reviewed sooner than it would be under a standard licence. The DVLA says these licences may be granted for one, two, three or five years.
Government guidance says the DVLA can also decide whether a driver needs to adapt their vehicle, or whether they must stop driving.
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.”
