The Department for Transport has issued an update from parliament on behalf of the DVLA as it deals with long waiting times
Transport minister Justin Madders has issued an update over the DVLA waiting times issue as some face huge delays
The DVLA has issued a new update on waiting times many people are facing over driving applications as it tries to prioritise some drivers. There has been a big rise in driving licence renewals across the UK – and delays put some people at risk of not being able to drive while their application is processed.
The Department for Transport – which speaks for the DVLA in parliament – has announced 4 changes it has made to speed up the system. But despite introducing text notifications for drivers, creating a new casework system, setting up a digital portal and recruiting extra staff, it continues to face questions over waiting times.
The particular issue that is causing delays is over driving licence applications involving medical conditions. These can require much more checking than a standard application – but large numbers of people have to submit them.
The RAC says more than two million people with a medical condition are recorded with the DVLA. Some kinds of driver applications need to renewed regularly. A group 2 licence for a lorry or bus driver is valid for only five years or until the age of 45 – whichever is first. After 65, they must be renewed annually.
A medical expert with the DVLA has said that most applications are accepted. You may get a short-term licence if you have a condition that officials view as ‘progressive’ because it worsens over time – such as epilepsy, dementia and diabetes.
Dr Nick Jenkins, who has worked with the DVLA on such assessments, has said: “We may issue a short-term licence (1 to 5 years) if you’ve got a medical condition considered to be progressive. This is because we’ll need to assess the ongoing stability of the condition or consider the risk of recurrence of an episode being below a certain threshold.”
Reform’s Ashfield MP Lee Anderson asked the government in a parliamentary question about “recent correspondence it has had with the DVLA regarding waiting times for driving licence applications involving medical conditions.” Now the Department for Transport, speaking for the DVLA, has issued a response. Despite making a request weeks after another update offered up September’s figures, the department was unable to show there had been any fall since then.
Speaking on Friday, November 6, minister Justin Madders said officials were trying to prioritise applications for employment purposes. There are 280,000 lorry drivers in the UK whose jobs keep shops and businesses stocked – but they need to have their driving licences renewed quickly to avoid hold-ups, and the medical standards for this group are much higher, official documents show.
Mr Madders said: “Ministers receive regular updates from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on the timescales for driving licence applications involving medical conditions. There has been sustained growth in the volume and complexity of medical driving licence applications which has increased waiting times for some customers. The Government recognises that further improvement is needed and plans are in place to address this.
“To improve its services, the DVLA has introduced a new casework system and launched a new medical services portal which means that most customers can now apply online through the DVLA’s driver and vehicles account. These enhancements alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with these applications and answer telephone calls will deliver real improvements for customers.
“In September 2026, the average time to make a licensing decision for Group 2 vocational licences where a medical investigation was involved was 55.8 working days. When the DVLA is made aware that an application is required for employment purposes, the application will be prioritised where possible.”
The average number of working days to make a licensing decision in medical cases was 62.3 working days so far this year. But the 55.8-day figure – which is almost two months – is higher than all but one month in 2025, and is the third highest monthly figure so far this year.
Motorists under the age of 70 need to renew their licence every 10 years. After that point, the renewal period falls to every three years. To inform the DVLA about a medical condition, visit the government web page.
What conditions might you need to inform DVLA about?
Some conditions can affect your ability to drive. The list of conditions the DVLA may need to be notified about includes:
- diabetes or taking insulin
- glaucoma
- strokes
- epilepsy
- heart conditions (including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers)
- syncope (fainting)
- sleep apnoea
