You need to tell the DVLA about some medical conditions
You need to tell the DVLA about some medical conditions
Driving licenses are an official document that allows a person to drive a vehicle on public roads. There are different types of licences people can take a driving test for including car, motorcycle, bus and track.
All driving licences have codes printed on the back that indicate the conditions that must me met to drive legally. The conditions are printed in column 12 on the document. All the letters and numbers may mean be confusing to look at but they all serve an important purpose.
The driving licence categories tell you and others the types of vehicles you can drive, for example: A2: motorcycles with no more power than 35kW. And codes do not refer to vehicles, but rather certain conditions that can be placed on a person’s driving licence. This information is important for insurance, as well as hiring cars and vans. They can help you prove what you can and can’t drive.
You need to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about some medical conditions. A full list of conditions are published here. The government website advises if you develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or disability and if a condition or disability has got worse since you got your licence you need to inform DVLA.
It is risky not informing the DVLA as soon as possible, you could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not announce a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely. Drivers could also be prosecuted if an accident happens.
The codes and their meanings are as follows:
01 – eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses02 – hearing/communication aid10 – modified transmission15 – modified clutch20 – modified braking systems25 – modified accelerator systems30 – combined braking and accelerator systems (for licences issued before 28 November 2016)31 – pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards32 – combined service brake and accelerator systems33 – combined service brake, accelerator and steering systems35 – modified control layouts40 – modified steering42 – modified rear-view mirror(s)43 – modified driving seats44 – modifications to motorbikes44 (1) – single operated brake44 (2) – adapted front wheel brake44 (3) – adapted rear wheel brake44 (4) – adapted accelerator44 (5) – (adjusted) manual transmission and manual clutch44 (6) – (adjusted) rear-view mirror(s)44 (7) – (adjusted) commands (direction indicators, braking light, etc)44 (8) – seat height allowing the driver, in sitting position, to have two feet on the surface at the same time and balance the motorcycle during stopping and standing44 (11) – adapted foot rest44 (12) – adapted hand grip45 – motorbikes only with sidecar46 – tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014)70 – exchange of licence71 – duplicate of licence78 – restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission79 – restricted to vehicles in conformity with the specifications stated in brackets on your licence79 (2) – restricted to category AM vehicles of the 3-wheel or light quadricycle type79 (3) – restricted to tricycles96 – allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer where the trailer weighs at least 750kg, and the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is between 3,500kg and 4,250kg97 – not allowed to drive category C1 vehicles which are required to have a tachograph fitted101 – not for hire or reward (that is, not to make a profit)102 – drawbar trailers only103 – subject to certificate of competence105 – vehicle not more than 5.5 metres long106 – restricted to vehicles with automatic transmissions107 – not more than 8,250 kilograms108 – subject to minimum age requirements110 – limited to transporting persons with restricted mobility111 – limited to 16 passenger seats113 – limited to 16 passenger seats except for automatics114 – with any special controls required for safe driving115 – organ donor118 – start date is for earliest entitlement119 – weight limit for vehicle does not apply121 – restricted to conditions specified in the Secretary of State’s notice122 – valid on successful completion: Basic Moped Training Course. This does not apply to trial e-scooters125 – tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014)