What You Must Tell the DVLA — And What Happens If You Don't

A driving licence isn't a one-time formality — there are ongoing obligations attached to it, and getting them wrong (even by accident) can have real consequences, from fines to a revoked licence. Here's what actually matters.

Medical conditions you must notify the DVLA about

Certain health conditions are legally "notifiable" — meaning you must tell the DVLA about them, not just mention them to your doctor. These include epilepsy, insulin-treated diabetes, sleep apnoea, certain eyesight conditions, strokes, and blackouts. Failing to notify the DVLA of a relevant condition carries a fine of up to £1,000, and if you're involved in an accident and it turns out you were driving with an undeclared notifiable condition, you could also be prosecuted separately for that.

This isn't about being penalised for having a health condition — many people with notifiable conditions continue driving perfectly legally once the DVLA has assessed and confirmed they're fit to do so. The problem is only ever with not declaring it.

Eyesight — the standard that applies every time you drive

The legal eyesight standard for driving is being able to read a number plate from 20 metres away, with glasses or contact lenses if you normally wear them. This isn't just a one-off test at your original driving test — it's a standard you're expected to meet every single time you get behind the wheel.

Licence renewal

Your photocard licence needs renewing every 10 years — this is separate from any medical renewal requirements, which can apply more frequently if you have a notifiable condition the DVLA is monitoring.

The new driver rule — a genuine trap for the first two years

This is one of the most consequential rules new drivers don't know about: if you build up 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing your test, your licence is automatically revoked under the New Drivers Act 1995. This isn't a ban with an end date — you go back to provisional licence status and have to retake both the theory and practical tests from scratch.

The reason this catches people out is the threshold is so much lower than for experienced drivers, who can accumulate up to 12 points over 3 years before facing disqualification. Two speeding tickets in your first two years — even relatively minor ones — can be enough to trigger this.

How long points actually stay on your licence

Most standard offences stay on your licence for 4 years, though only the first 3 years count toward the "totting up" disqualification threshold. More serious offences — particularly drink or drug driving — stay on your licence for 11 years, which is far longer than most people expect and can still show up on background checks or insurance applications long after the ban itself has ended.

Have a specific licence question?

Our free UK Driving School Companion can answer questions on notifiable conditions, the new driver rule, or how points affect your specific situation — no login needed.