Driving
The good news is that most people with a
heart condition will be able to
go back to driving.
However, this will depend on what sort of heart condition you
have, whether you have any symptoms, the type of treatment you may
have had and how well you have recovered.
Can I still drive?
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provides the
national medical
guidelines on being fit to drive, as well as how soon you can
return to driving following a heart procedure, heart surgery or a
heart problem.
The information is intended to assist doctors in advising
patients. So if you are concerned about your fitness to drive, and
want to know when you can start driving again, you should
speak to your GP or call the DVLA on 0300
790 6806.
In the interests of road safety, you shouldn't drive if you
suffer from a medical condition that might suddenly cause you to
lose control while you are driving, or if you cannot safely control
your vehicle for any reason.
If you ever experience episodes of dizziness, fainting or black
outs, you should stop driving and seek advice from your doctor
immediately.
Do I need to let the DVLA know about my heart condition?
To find out if you need to tell the DVLA about your medical
condition or about a change in your health, visit Directgov. If you do
have to tell them, you will need to fill in a medical questionnaire
which you can download from the website.
If you don't have access to the internet, call the DVLA on 0300
790 6806 for car drivers and motorcyclists, or 0300 790 6807 for
heavy goods vehicle and bus drivers, or write to them at DVLA,
Swansea SA99 1TU.
Is my licence to drive a large goods vehicle (LGV) or a
passenger-carrying vehicle (PCV) still valid?
You will need to let the DVLA know about your heart
condition if you hold a licence to drive a large goods
vehicle (LGV) or a passenger-carrying vehicle (PCV) as there are
special regulations.
Depending on your heart condition, the DVLA may ask your local
hospital to carry out various tests. The results of these tests
will help the DVLA decide whether you can keep your licence. Visit
Directgov or call the DVLA on 0300 790 6807, or write to them
at DVLA, Swansea SA99 1TU.
Do I need to let my car insurance company know?
Yes. Whatever type of licence you hold you should always
let your car insurance company know about your heart
condition and any changes in your medical condition, including any
treatment that you have had. If you don’t, your car insurance may
not be valid.