‘Fit to Drive’ requests under Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA 1988)
If you suffer an injury or condition which affects your ability to drive, it is your legal responsibility to inform the DVLA and your insurer. We as the GP Surgery are not responsible for this, however we may contact DVLA ourselves if there is a refusal to inform on your part and there is a threat to yourself and wider public safety should you continue driving.
Section 88 of the RTA 1988 gives provision for people to drive under certain circumstances even if they do not currently hold a valid license. A license may be expired, revoked or suspended for a number of reasons, including medical.
The DVLA or insurance providers may ask for you to speak to your GP to obtain a ‘fit to drive’ note or certificate to allow you to continue driving under Section 88 of the RTA 1988, provided the reason is on medical grounds. The DVLA has produced a leaflet which explains RTA 1988. Please click here to view.
Most GPs are not certified to say if an individual is fit to drive, as this is beyond the scope of general practice responsibility. As such, any and all decisions about suitability to drive remains with the DVLA as the licensing authority and governing body. A GP can provide a factual medical report if the DVLA asks us to do so, which they can use in their assessment of your suitability to drive. An opinion based report, certificate or letter cannot be granted on patient request.