MORE than half a million UK drivers have had their licences revoked for medical reasons in the past decade.
Motorists were taken off the road for health problems such as double vision, epilepsy, cataracts and sleep apnoea.
Almost 580,000 people lost out between June 2014 and June 2023, data obtained via a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA by car leasing comparison site LeaseLoco shows.
Most (492,747) were car and motorcycle drivers, while 86,746 were those who operate lorries or buses.
Numbers peaked in 2018, with 73,724 driving licences medically revoked.
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So far this year, nearly 24,000 Brits have been temporarily barred from getting behind the wheel for medical reasons.
Almost nine in 10 were car and motorcycle licence holders, while the others were lorry or bus drivers.
Statistics also revealed that since the start of 2022, just under 90,000 temporarily lost their licences.
Of these, more than two thirds (59,930) were aged 50 or older, 8,650 were 30 and under, and 1,810 were teenagers.
Dementia and alcohol dependency were the two most common reasons.
The top 10 conditions were:
- Dementia
- Alcohol dependency
- Double vision
- Epilepsy
- Vascular or arterial disease
- Cataracts
- Seizures
- Giddiness
- Unsafe to drive due to medication
- Sleep apnoea
Anyone who has had their licence revoked on medical grounds can reapply once their doctor says they meet the medical standards for driving.
The rules are different if a driver voluntarily surrenders their licence.
Under these circumstances, you can drive while your licence is being renewed if - you have the support of your doctor, a valid licence, you only drive under the conditions of the previous licence, you’re not disqualified, your last licence wasn’t revoked and your application is less than 12 months old.
John Wilmot, CEO at LeaseLoco, said: "These figures make for quite frightening reading, and this could be just the tip of the iceberg.
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"How many people are driving with a medical condition and haven’t informed the authorities?
"You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving, but is that really a strong enough deterrent?
"With so many of us reliant on our cars for work and pleasure, there will be drivers on the road who think it’s worth the risk to keep quiet because handing in their driving licence could mean losing their mobility, their job and not seeing their family and friends."
Not reporting any relevant medical conditions to the DVLA can result in a fine of up to £1,000, or prosecution if you're involved in an accident as a result.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a new condition, it’s worth checking if you need to report it to the DVLA, at gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving.
You can also speak to your doctor.
