Medical Advice

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a serious condition where a person’s breathing repeatedly stops while they are asleep. Loud snoring and pauses in breathing are typical features, along with tiredness throughout the day, but there is also a wide range of knock-on effects on other aspects of your cardiovascular and mental health.

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Choking in your sleep can be an unpleasant experience both for you and your bed partner. You might wake up gasping, or feeling like your throat is closed and you can’t breathe.

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Sleep hygiene is the name given to the routines and practices that encourage good sleep. It involves getting your mind and body into a favourable state for sleep and making the bedroom the best possible environment for sleeping in.

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The use of sleeping tablets is a controversial issue. We are often told that sleep is a vital process and essential for our health - so why not use sleeping tablets to achieve this?

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Group 2 drivers must have a blood pressure reading below 180/100 mmHg. If your reading is higher than this, you will not be cleared to drive until your blood pressure is controlled.

Yes, as long as your blood pressure is controlled and below 180/100 mmHg. If it exceeds this limit, you must work with your healthcare provider to manage it before being cleared to drive.

Blood pressure is checked at each Group 2 medical assessment. Drivers are required to undergo these assessments every 5 years after the age of 45 and annually after age 65.

No, taking medication for high blood pressure does not disqualify you, provided it keeps your blood pressure within the DVLA's acceptable range.

If your blood pressure exceeds the acceptable limits during your assessment, you will not pass the medical. You will need to lower your blood pressure and undergo another assessment before being permitted to drive.

Yes, it is advisable to bring at least three recent blood pressure readings to your appointment. You can obtain these from your GP or from home monitoring if you regularly check your blood pressure.

Yes, provided your diabetes is well-controlled. For drivers using insulin, additional requirements apply, including regular monitoring of blood glucose levels.

If you are treated with insulin, you must check your blood glucose levels at least twice daily and within 2 hours before driving, as per DVLA requirements.

Yes, but you must meet the DVLA’s strict guidelines for insulin-treated drivers, which include demonstrating effective management of your condition and no recent severe hypoglycemic episodes.

You must have been on insulin treatment for at least three months before applying for or renewing your Group 2 licence. This ensures that your condition is stable and manageable.

If you have a severe hypoglycemic episode that requires third-party assistance, your licence may be revoked. You must be free of such episodes for at least 12 months to be considered for licence reinstatement.

Libre’s(also known as CGM) are not accepted. Group 2 drivers who use these devices must continue to monitor finger prick capillary blood glucose levels, be sure to bring recent readings or a report to your appointment.

Certain cardiovascular conditions require careful monitoring. Drivers with these conditions must meet DVLA standards, and in some cases, provide additional medical evidence to prove that their condition is well-controlled.

Drivers who have had a heart attack are typically required to wait at least 6 weeks before driving again. Clearance to drive is dependent on full recovery and meeting DVLA fitness standards.

Yes, but there is a mandatory 4-week recovery period after the pacemaker is fitted. You can return to driving if there are no complications.

In some cases, an exercise tolerence test may be required to assess how your heart functions under physical stress, particularly if you have a history of cardiovascular issues.

Not necessarily. As long as your condition is well-managed and stable, you may continue to drive. However, certain medications may require additional review.

Yes, it is recommended to bring any recent ETT results or other relevant cardiac documentation to your assessment, especially if you have had a significant heart event in the past.

Group 2 drivers must have a minimum visual acuity of 6/7.5 in their better eye and 6/60 in the other eye, along with a full field of vision.

Yes, corrective lenses are allowed, and if used during your medical assessment, they will be noted on your driving licence. It is essential that your prescription is up to date. During the medical, you will be required to remove your corrective lenses for both uncorrected and corrected visual acuity tests. Please ensure you are prepared for this procedure.

If you fail the eyesight test, you will not pass the medical and will not be cleared to drive. It is important to ensure that your vision meets the DVLA standards.

We will test your vision using a Snellen chart to check you remain compliant with DVLA standards. If this standard is not met during the appointment, the doctor may refer you to the opticians for a visual examination.

Not necessarily. Glaucoma must be assessed to ensure it does not affect your peripheral vision or visual acuity. The DVLA will require confirmation that your condition is well-controlled.

It is advisable to visit your optician before the assessment to ensure your prescription is up to date. DVLA guidelines require drivers to meet specific vision standards, and an outdated prescription may affect your ability to pass the test.

This depends on the severity and control of the condition. The DVLA assesses each case individually to determine whether your condition affects your ability to drive safely.

Not necessarily. However, medications that impair cognitive function or cause drowsiness may affect your ability to drive. Your GP will assess whether it is safe for you to drive.

A history of severe mental illness may require a specialist medical report to determine your fitness to drive. Your condition must be stable and well-managed.

If you have experienced an episode that impairs your ability to drive, such as a psychotic episode or severe depression, your licence may be suspended until you are deemed fit to drive.

Mental health is typically evaluated through a review of your medical history, current medications, and any recent episodes. Additional assessments may be required in some cases.

Yes, you can attend your appointment. Please bring any relevant medical documentation, such as a letter from your GP or specialist, confirming your diagnosis and the management of your condition.

Group 2 drivers must be seizure-free without medication for at least 10 years to be eligible for a licence. The DVLA has stringent guidelines regarding epilepsy and driving.

After a stroke, Group 2 drivers are generally required to stop driving for at least 12 months. You must undergo a medical assessment to demonstrate full recovery before being cleared to drive.

Drivers with multiple sclerosis or other neurological conditions may be allowed to drive, but they must provide evidence that the condition does not impair their ability to drive safely.

Drivers with sleep apnoea must demonstrate effective treatment, usually with a CPAP machine. Compliance data showing regular use of the machine will be required at the medical assessment.

Each case is assessed individually. Drivers with Parkinson’s must provide evidence that their condition is well-controlled and does not interfere with their ability to drive safely.

You will need to bring compliance data from your CPAP machine showing regular and effective use. This data can typically be obtained from your sleep clinic or downloaded from the machine itself.