What if one of the drivers has or develops a medical condition?

The medical history of a driver may affect the acceptability of the risk. If a person suffers from certain medical conditions then some car insurers may not insure the driver until the driver has informed the DVLA. Once the DVLA have been informed and have given the driver permission to continue driving, then, cover will be available. There are certain medical conditions that the DVLA must be informed of before taking out a car insurance contract, including:

• Epileptic attacks
• Sudden attacks of disabling giddiness, fainting or blackouts
• Severe mental handicap
• A fitted pacemaker
• Diabetes
• Angina while driving
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• A major or minor stroke
• Brain surgery, brain tumour or severe head injury involving hospital in-patient treatment
• Psychiatric illness
• Continuing persistent difficulty with the use of your arms or legs
• Eye disease
• Continued misuse on alcohol or illicit drugs in the past 3 years
• Any other condition likely to last more than 3 months

Once the DVLA have been informed of any of the above conditions the driver is required to complete a medical questionnaire and give permission for the DVLA medical advisers to contact his own doctor. The DVLA will then make a decision on the driver's ability to continue to hold a valid licence.