Measures have been brought forward to change the law to allow more healthcare professionals such as osteopaths, to complete DVLA medical questionnaires to help speed the return of medical information needed by them to make licensing decisions.
All drivers, by law, must meet the medical standards for fitness to drive. Each year, the DVLA makes over 500,000 medical licensing decisions and to help make these decisions, the DVLA often requires questionnaires to be completed by a driver’s doctor or consultant. Presently, the Road Traffic Act 1988 only enables registered medical practitioners to complete the medical questionnaires which have contributed to many delays.
The proposed law change will mean that any healthcare professional registered with the following Councils will be legally authorised to complete DVLA’s medical questionnaires:
- The General Chiropractic Council
- The General Medical Council
- The General Optical Council
- The General Osteopathic Council
- The Nursing and Midwifery Council
- The Health and Care Professions Council
DVLA Chief Executive Julie Lennard said: ‘We were pleased to see that the consultation responses supported the idea of increasing the range of medical professionals who are able to complete DVLA medical questionnaires. This is in line with the way GP practices and hospital teams increasingly work and will improve the process for those notifying DVLA of a medical condition. This will also ease the pressure on hard-working doctors by widening the number of medical experts who can provide the necessary information.’
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