What do I have to do?

Legally you have to tell the DVLA if you have any condition that may affect your ability to drive safely. Referral to the Acquired Brain Injury service usually means your injury is severe so you must tell the DVLA. If you are not sure if you should be driving talk to your GP.

How do I inform the DVLA?

You can contact the DVLA by phone, letter or email.

Tell them what has happened to you. A member of the brain injury team can help you with this. You must include your driving licence number. You do not need to send your licence off as well.

What happens next?

  • The DVLA will normally send you a medical questionnaire (B1 form). You will need to give details of your injury and how it affects you. To save time you can get this from the government website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/b1-online-confidential-medical-information. They will ask if they can contact your GP or your consultant. If you do not agree to this they can take away your licence.
  • The DVLA will use the information you give them. If they need more details they will contact your GP or consultant.
  • Trained staff and medical advisors make the licensing decisions. They consider all the information. They work to guidelines from the Secretary of State’s Honorary Medical Advisory Panel.
  • The DVLA aim to respond within 6 weeks. You will be notified of their decision.

What can the DVLA decide?

They can decide on 1 of the following:

  • You may be allowed to keep your licence or get a new one.
  • Your licence may be withdrawn or your application turned down. The reason for this decision will be explained to you. You will also be told when you can re-apply for a licence. This may be 6 months or 1 year later.
  • You may be given a time-limited licence. This is valid for up to five years. After that your fitness to continue driving will be re-assessed.
  • You may be asked to take a driving assessment at a mobility centre. You may have to have an eye test or driving test before a final decision is made.
  • Your licence may state that you special controls fitted to the vehicle you drive. This is to help you overcome any physical disability.

Can I appeal against any decision?

The DVLA will explain why they made the decision. They will tell you when you can reapply for your licence. They will also send details explaining your right to appeal to a magistrates’ court.

Further information

  • The Headway booklet ‘Driving after Brain Injury’ provides further information. Contact the Headway Helpline on 0115 924 0800 for details, or see the website:

https://www.headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/practical-issues/driving-after-brain-injury/

The information in this leaflet is aimed at car drivers. The system may vary for drivers of other vehicles like lorries, buses and coaches. Regulations are much stricter.

Contact Us

Acquired Brain Injury Service
Bridge Mills
Stramongate
Kendal
LA9 4UB

Call 01539 718118

Acquired Brain Injury Service
The Coppice
Carleton Clinic
Carlisle
CA1 3SX

Call 01228 602155

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302