Driving and dizziness

This leaflet explains the rules about driving and dizziness, giddiness and vertigo. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your GP or health care professional.

What are my responsibilities if I have dizziness and I have a driving licence?

The medical standards of fitness to drive are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea. By law you must inform the DVLA if you have had, or currently suffer from, a medical condition or disability that may affect your driving.

This includes sudden (unpredictable) attacks of disabling dizziness or giddiness. Informing the DVLA is the responsibility of the driver.

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. If you are involved in an accident and it is found that your health condition was a contributing factor, your insurance may not be valid and you may be prosecuted.

What happens next?

When you report unpredictable, sudden and disabling dizziness the DVLA will contact your specialist and will take each decision on an individual basis depending on what your doctor says about your level of fitness and risk of further symptoms.

If for medical reasons you are not fit to drive, the DVLA will withdraw your driving licence from you. They will issue you with a new one if you are declared fit to drive again. You do not have to re-take your driving test.

In most cases concerning episodes of dizziness, only limited changes occur and a car licence can be reissued after three months without any attacks. If your condition ever gives rise to sudden (unpredictable) and disabling attacks of vertigo, you must comply with the law by notifying the DVLA and your insurer.

How do I report disabling dizziness?

You will need to fill in a form (DIZ1) and you will find this on the DVLA website here. If you drive a lorry or HGV you need to complete a different form (DIZ1V) and stricter rules apply to this license category.

Once the DVLA receives your completed form, they will assess your situation. You may be able to retain your existing license or replace it with a new one.

They may decide to replace your license with one valid for a restricted period of between one and three years. After this time, your medical ability to continue driving will be subject to further review.

A restricted period license entitles you to drive the same vehicles as your previous ’lifetime’ license. The only difference between the two licenses is the renewal date.

Drugs and medication

Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act states it is an offence to drive whilst under the influence of drugs. This may apply to some of the drugs prescribed in the treatment of vertigo and dizziness, with the notable exception of Serc (Betahistine).

Check with your own doctor whether any medication you are taking falls into the prohibited category.

In summary

• If your dizziness is predictable and controllable, you do not have to inform the DVLA
• You are required by law to inform the DVLA and the company which insures any vehicle you drive of your condition if your dizziness is sudden (unpredictable) and uncontrollable. It is an offence not to do so in either case
• Medical conditions are considered before the granting of a restricted period license and all cases will be assessed individually by the DVLA
• It is an offence to drive whilst under the influence of drugs
• Visit the GOV.UK website for further information (external link).

For further information contact the DVLA

Post: Drivers Medical Enquiries, DVLA, Swansea SA99 1TU

Telephone: 0300 790 6806 (car or motorcycle), 0300 790 6807 (bus, coach or lorry)

Fax: 0845 850 0095

Email: you can contact them via the website

GOV.UK

NHS 111 Offers medical help and advice from fully trained advisers supported by experienced nurses and paramedics. Available over the phone 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 111

NHS Choices Provides online information and guidance on all aspects of health and healthcare, to help you make choices about your health. Click here.

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