DVLA

People often have the incorrect understanding of the DVLA regulations surrounding Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

The Sleep Disorders Clinic is here to provide practical advice and second opinions to help keep safe drivers on the road. That is why with our support we have helped countless patients retain their driving licence by providing actionable advice.  Below is a link to the DVLA website for reference.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/miscellaneous-conditions-assessing-fitness-to-drive

Below are our top tips about driving with a diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

• You may have a legal obligation to inform the DVLA of your diagnosis. The key word here is “may”. This depends on a few things such as how sleepy you are, the severity of your diagnosis and the type of licence you hold. If you are unsure contact the clinic and we can assist you.
• Having a diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea/Syndrome does not means you are banned from driving. Your driving status is dependent on all manner of aspects such as severity, treatment and type of diagnosis.
• Never telephone the DVLA. Always complete the downloadable form and post it in to the DVLA. The form provides full details of your medical history and diagnosis. Often telephone conversations miss parts and licence have been revoked whilst on the phone.
• Take the advice of the clinician in charge of your care. Patients that take advice of a clinician well practised in dealing with the DVLA lead to better outcomes. Often having a clinician to talk to the DVLA on your behalf creates better outcomes.
• Lastly, if you have been advised to stop driving you must stop driving. If this is the case and you would like to restart driving please contact The Sleep Disorders Clinic to see how we can help.

If you have any questions or would like to have a second opinion please contact the clinic. Please note, we are a private service and not covered by NHS. Furthermore, we are a clinic that is focused upon the safety of drivers and other road users and will always put safety first.