The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) take an average of 62.3 working days, almost three months, to decide driving licence applications that involve a medical condition. However, lorry and bus drivers receive their renewal reminder only 56 days before their licence expires, therefore drivers with a medical condition may be left unable to drive for work while they wait for a medical licence decision.
These figures come from a written parliamentary answer by transport minister Justin Madders on Wednesday 14 October, in response to Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire, who asked how long drivers wait for a medical licence decision.
Currently, the DVLA sends reminders 56 days before expiry for vocational licences (lorry and bus) and 10-year photocard renewals, and 90 days before expiry for drivers renewing at 70 and for short-term medical licences. Lorry drivers must renew their vocational entitlement every five years from the age of 45, and every year from the age of 65, with a medical report each time. This means that if a driver, whose case needs medical checks, sends the application when the reminder arrives, they may still be waiting when the old licence runs out.
The transport minister said that the delayed waiting time is due to the DVLA dealing with a growing volume of more complex applications from people with one or more medical conditions. These cases need further investigation, or information from GPs and other healthcare professionals, and therefore take longer.
To reduce wait times, the DVLA has launched a new casework system for its medical function; introduced a digital medical services portal; improved services for provisional licence applicants and drivers renewing at 70 or over; started trialling text message updates for drivers; and recruited additional staff. However, the minister did not say when processing times would come down in result from these changes.
The main question that HGV drivers with a medical condition will want answering is: Can they keep driving while you wait? According to government guidance, a lorry or bus driver can keep driving while the DVLA processes the application if their doctor supports them continuing to drive; the application is less than a year old; their last licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons; and they are not disqualified. However, employers should check these conditions carefully before letting a driver continue.
It is recommended for operators, rather than waiting for the DVLA reminder to come through, to track licence expiry dates for all drivers and ask those with medical conditions to arrange their medical and send the application as early as the rules allow.