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Driving with a heart or circulatory condition

If you have a heart or circulatory condition, you can probably still drive but you might need to tell the DVLA about your condition.

Can I drive with my condition?

It’s not often that people with a heart condition are asked to stop driving completely. Sometimes, your condition might cause your doctor or the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) to ask you to stop driving for a while. This might happen if:

  • Your condition could affect your ability to drive safely
  • Your condition could cause you to suddenly become dizzy, faint or blackout while driving. 

If you're asked to stop driving for a while, the length of time will depend on: 

  • The condition you have
  • The type of vehicle you drive
  • How serious your condition is and your symptoms 
  • The treatment you've received or if you’re waiting for treatment. 

If you drive a bigger vehicle like a delivery lorry or a bus, you might have more restrictions. This could affect your work and you may want to speak to your employer about your condition. 

Your doctor will tell you if you need to stop driving for any reason. If you're concerned about how your condition might affect your ability to drive safely, your healthcare team will be able to offer advice and support. 

Check the DVLA’s advice for your condition

The DVLA provides information about driving with health conditions. You can see if your heart or circulatory condition might affect your driving and read their advice.

Visit the DVLA

Do I need to tell the DVLA about my condition? 

You might need to tell the DVLA about your condition depending on what condition you have. 

If you're newly diagnosed or there's a change to your health, you can check if your condition needs to be reported to the DVLA. Some conditions and medical changes do not need to be reported. 

If you need to report your condition, you'll need to fill in a medical questionnaire. You can do this online or by post. There are different medical questionnaires for people with a licence to drive a car or motorcycle and for people who can drive a bus, coach or lorry. 

If you're over 70, you'll need to renew your driving licence every three years regardless of whether you have a medical condition. Renewing your licence because you’re aged 70 or over is free

You can contact the DVLA by: 

  • Email or their online webchat service
  • Calling 0300 790 6806 (Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm and Saturday from 8am to 2pm)
  • Post: Drivers’ Medical Enquiries, DVLA, Swansea SA99 1TU. 

If you need to tell the DVLA about your medical condition and you don’t, you could be fined up to £1,000 or prosecuted.

Do I need to tell my car insurer about my condition? 

You need to tell your vehicle insurance company about your heart or circulatory condition. You'll need to tell them about any changes to your condition and your treatment too. If you don’t, your insurance may not be valid. 
 
Other types of insurance, like travel and life insurance may also be affected by your heart condition. It’s important to let your insurer know about changes to your health.  

What happens if I’m asked to stop driving temporarily? 

It'll depend on your condition and treatment whether you're asked to stop driving temporarily. If your doctor has advised you to stop driving, you might need to tell the DVLA.

You might be able to begin driving again once your doctor tells you it’s safe or the DVLA might ask you to give up your licence for a while. You might be asked to give up your licence if: 

  • Your doctor tells you to stop driving for three months or more
  • Your condition or your treatment will affect your ability to drive safely for three months or more
  • The DVLA has told you that your current health doesn’t meet the required standards for driving.

If you have to give up your licence, you can reapply for a new licence when your doctor tells you it’s safe for you to begin driving again. Your doctor and the DVLA will review: 

  • If you've recovered
  • If you’re still having symptoms and how they affect you 
  • The type of treatment you’ve had and how you’re managing your condition. 

Each case is assessed by the DVLA’s team of medical experts. Sometimes, people are not allowed to drive again because of their condition but this does not happen often.

Do you need support?

If you’ve been told to stop driving for a while, or altogether, it can be very hard to deal with. Many people rely on driving to get to work and be independent. If you want to talk to someone who understands, our cardiac nurses can offer you support while you get used to this change.

Can I still drive a car or motorcycle if I have…

Angina

You can drive if you have angina, even if you’re taking medication for it. If you have symptoms while driving, you should stop until they’re under control. You don't need to tell the DVLA if you have angina.

Arrhythmias

You must tell the DVLA about your arrhythmia if: 

  • You have symptoms that might distract you or restrict you
  • Your arrhythmia means you may not be able to safely stop or control a car. 

You need to tell the DVLA if your arrhythmia affects your driving.

Coronary bypass surgery

If you've had a coronary artery bypass, you won't be able to drive for at least one month and only start again when your doctor says you can. You don’t need to tell the DVLA. 

Diabetes 

If your diabetes is treated with insulin or medication, you may need to tell the DVLA. Ask your doctor and the DVLA about this for more advice.

If your diabetes is only treated with a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise, you can drive and you don’t need to tell the DVLA. 

Dementia

You should tell the DVLA if you have dementia. Your doctor and the DVLA will be able to advise you or your carer on driving.

Heart attack or an angioplasty (stents)

You can drive after your doctor has told you it’s safe to do so. You don’t need to tell the DVLA if you’ve had a heart attack or a coronary angioplasty.

But you'll be asked to stop driving for: 

  • One week if you’ve had a successful angioplasty and you don’t need any more surgery
  • Four weeks if you’ve had angioplasty but it wasn’t successful
  • Four weeks if you’ve had a heart attack but didn’t have angioplasty.  

Heart failure

If you've been diagnosed with heart failure, you have to stop driving for at least one month and can begin driving again when your doctor says it’s safe. You need to tell the DVLA about your heart failure if you have symptoms and they: 

  • Affect your ability to drive safely
  • Distract you while driving
  • Happen when you’re sitting or resting. 

If you have symptoms of heart failure, stop driving, tell the DVLA and wait for them and your doctor to advise you on driving.

Palpitations

You must tell the DVLA if you have palpitations. Your doctor and the DVLA will be able to advise you on driving.

Pacemaker / ICD

You must tell the DVLA if you've had a pacemaker or an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) fitted. Your doctor and the DVLA will be able to advise you on driving.

You don’t have to tell the DVLA if you’ve had your pacemaker battery changed (this is sometimes called a 'box change').

Stroke / mini stroke (TIA)

You have to stop driving for at least one month after a stroke or mini stroke. Your doctor will tell you when it’s safe to drive again. You don't need to tell the DVLA if you've had a stroke unless you're still having symptoms one month after the stroke.

You don't need to tell the DVLA if you've had a TIA and recovered.

This advice is for people with a licence to drive cars or motorcycles only. The advice for people with a licence to drive buses, coaches or lorries is different. 

You can find a full list of medical conditions and up-to-date advice for all driving licences on the DVLA website.

Visit the DVLA

I’ve been asked to stop driving, what other options are there?

It can be hard to adjust to not driving for a while. But there are other ways to help you travel and be independent: 

  • You could walk or cycle more if you're able to. Physical activity can improve your mood, help you sleep better and reduce your risk of developing other heart and circulatory diseases
  • You might be able to get a free bus pass. They're available to older and disabled people, including those that aren’t allowed a driving licence because of their condition. In Northern Ireland, disabled people get a half fare bus pass 
  • Many areas also have community transport schemes. Visit the Community Transport Association website or phone 0161 351 1475 to find schemes in your area. 

Want to know more?

Learn more about the challenges of not being able to drive with a heart condition and read about Becky's experience of not being able to drive for six months.

Read the article

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Page last reviewed: November 2021
Next review due: November 2024

 

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