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Motoring
A guide for drivers with heart conditions
The role of the Drivers Medical Group at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is to promote road safety by establishing whether drivers who have medical conditions can satisfy the medical standards required for safe driving. However, there are some circumstances in which DVLA doesn't routinely require notification.
The information below indicates the position for drivers who hold a car, moped or motorcycle driving licence (group one) who may have a heart condition.
Driving with a heart condition
Heart conditions including:
- heart attack (acute coronary syndrome to include myocardial infarction)
- coronary artery by-pass surgery (CABG)
- coronary angioplasty (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention)
- heart valve disease/surgery
- angina
You are not required to notify DVLA of these conditions, however, you should observe the following guidance and seek your doctor’s approval to restart driving, when the required period of time off driving has passed.
Acute Coronary Syndrome including Heart attack/Heart operation
Driving should cease for at least one month after such an event.
Coronary Angioplasty
Driving should cease for at least one week after this procedure.
Angina
You may continue to drive if you have angina (regardless of the need for medication) unless it occurs whilst driving or with emotion. If it does, you must stop driving and only restart when satisfactory symptom control has been achieved.
If you have been advised by your doctor that you should not be driving you may wish to voluntarily surrender your licence and re-apply for its return in the future when you have the support of your doctor(s).
