AQW 15503/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health

To ask the Minister of Health to detail any consideration he has given to placing an obligation on GPs and other medical professionals to inform the DVLA when they have deemed an individual medically unfit to drive.

Asked by Kate Nicholl MLA on 23 September 2024

  • Answered
  • Written
Tabled
23 September 2024
Answer due by
8 October 2024
Answered
7 October 202414 days after tabling
Department
Department of Health
Priority question
No

Answer

The Department for Infrastructure has a statutory duty to be satisfied as to the medical fitness to drive of an applicant for, or holder of, a driving licence, under the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.

Standards and guidance for medical professionals in relation to medical fitness to drive are contained in the publication: Assessing fitness to drive: a guide for medical professionals - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) which is issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Doctors and other healthcare professionals have a duty to follow all relevant professional standards and guidelines, including those referred to within the DVLA guidance relating to fitness to drive.

The relevant professional standards for doctors are set by the General Medical Council which are available at: Confidentiality: patients' fitness to drive and reporting concerns to the DVLA or DVA - professional standards - GMC (gmc-uk.org)

Official sources