The DVLA may advise drivers with certain health conditions to stop driving while taking certain medications. According to Greg Wilson, the founder of car insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk, DVLA officials could suggest to drivers to “avoid driving” if they’re taking the drugs.
Greg Wilson highlighted the risks for individuals on “strong medications”, noting that licences might be revoked for those using opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and “certain antidepressants” due to the potential for these medicines to cause “drowsiness”. He said: “If you are on strong medications, it is likely that you will be recommended to avoid driving. Opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and certain antidepressants are examples of medicines that can affect driving ability – as well as those that cause drowsiness or say ‘do not operate heavy machinery.”
The NHS has issued a statement commenting that “Some antidepressants can cause dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision, particularly when you first start taking them. If you do experience these problems, you should not drive or use tools and machinery.”
It’s important to note, whenever the term “excessive sleepiness” is employed by the DVLA, it refers to “excessive sleepiness having, or likely to have, an adverse effect on driving”.
Similarly, where DVLA documentation mentions “drowsiness”, it equates to excessive sleepiness in this context, reports Birmingham Live.
If you are diagnosed with moderate or severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS), which includes symptoms of excessive sleepiness, you are not permitted to drive until your Sleep Clinic has confirmed that your OSAS is under control, your sleepiness is no longer excessive, and you are complying with CPAP treatment. You must inform the DVLA, who will require medical confirmation that your symptoms are under control.
If your driving licence has already been revoked, you can then apply for it to be restored. If you experience excessive sleepiness where OSAS is suspected, you must not drive until OSAS has been diagnosed and your Sleep Clinic has confirmed that your excessive sleepiness is being satisfactorily controlled by treatment.
If moderate or severe OSAS is diagnosed, the notification requirements in the previous paragraph will apply. If mild OSAS is diagnosed, you only need to notify the DVLA if your excessive sleepiness cannot be controlled within three months.