Telling your licensing agency you have Parkinson’s
For more information, visit the Parkinson’s UK website (last updated May 2023).
There are many people who continue to drive after they are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Having the condition doesn’t necessarily mean that your licence will be affected, but there are some things you need to do if you would like to continue driving and stay safe on the roads.
When you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you must tell your licensing agency straight away. This is a legal requirement.
If your GP suspects you’ve got Parkinson’s but you haven’t been diagnosed, you still have a legal duty to tell your licensing agency if you’re experiencing symptoms that may affect your driving.
How do I tell my licensing agency that I have Parkinson’s?
In England, Scotland and Wales, you can report your condition online on the government website linked below.
You can also report your condition by completing the ‘Report your Medical Condition (PK1)’ form if you have a car or motorcycle licence. If you have a bus, coach and HGV licence, you’ll need to complete a PK1V form. These forms are available from the DVLA.
In Northern Ireland, you can tell the DVA. They will then send you a medical questionnaire for your specialist to complete.
You can also inform the DVLA and DVA in writing.
Do I need to tell my insurance company?
It’s very important to let your insurance company know if you’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
If you don’t, it may make your existing policy invalid if you need to make a claim.
What decisions can my licensing agency make?
Once the licensing agency has considered your application it can decide:
- you can have or keep your licence without any restriction
- you can have a shorter licence, valid for 1, 2 or 3 years. This decision is reviewed when the licence runs out.
- your licence will only allow you to drive a vehicle with specific adaptations
- you must stop driving and give up your licence
If you’ve been told that you must adapt your car, you can get an independent assessment of your needs through a mobility centre (see the ‘Mobility centres’ section). You must tell your insurance company about any adaptations you make to your vehicle.
If your licensing agency decides you must give up your licence, they will give you a medical reason why. They’ll also send you details of if and when you can reapply, and return any fees sent with the application form.
If your licence is refused or taken away for medical reasons and you then become well enough to drive again, you can reapply for your licence. Check with your GP, specialist or Parkinson’s nurse that you can meet the medical standards for driving before reapplying. If the licensing agency decides you can drive after their enquiries, you’ll be issued with a new licence.
Making an appeal
If you want your licensing agency to reconsider its decision, you should contact them explaining why you feel the decision is wrong.
The licensing agency can look at its decision again, but will expect you to provide fresh medical evidence. You may need to ask your GP to refer you to a specialist who can provide this in a letter, and you may have to pay for it.
If your licensing agency doesn’t change its decision, courts have the power to look at your case. They can reverse a licensing agency’s decision, if appropriate.
An appeal must be made within a certain time after your licence was taken away:
- In England and Wales, within 6 months to the magistrates court.
- In Northern Ireland, within 3 months to Petty Sessions.
- In Scotland, within 21 days to the Sheriff Court.
A licensing agency doctor will attend the hearing as a witness and the licensing agency will be represented by a barrister.
Normally, the court can only look at existing evidence and can’t consider any new evidence. If new medical evidence is available, it’s best to forward this to the licensing agency for consideration out of court.
If you’re considering going to court, you should think about getting legal advice. You can get free advice from the Disability Law Service or Disabled Motoring UK.