1. Neurological Conditions

Professional drivers face significantly stricter seizure-free requirements and longer bans following brain insults.

Grp 2: Mandatory | | First Seizure | 6 Months | 5 Years (off meds) | Mandatory | | Epilepsy | 12 Months (seizure-free) | 10 Years (off meds) | Mandatory | | Syncope (Simple) | No restriction | No restriction | No | | Syncope (Unexplained) | 6 Months | 1 Year | Mandatory |

Single TIA → must not drive for 1 month but need not notify DVLA

Multiple TIA → must not drive and must notify DVLA; no driving for 3 months & reassess

2. Cardiovascular Conditions

For Group 2 drivers, almost all cardiac procedures require a minimum 6-week ban and mandatory notification.

Grp 2: Mandatory | | Heart Attack (ACS) | 1–4 Weeks (1 wk if successful PCI otherwise 4 wks) | 6 Weeks | Grp 1: No

Grp 2: Mandatory | | CABG (Surgery) | 4 Weeks | 3 Months | Grp 1: No

Grp 2: Mandatory | | Pacemaker | 1 Week | 6 Weeks | Mandatory | | ICD (Secondary Prev.) | 6 Months | Permanent Bar | Mandatory | | Aortic Aneurysm | Stop if ≥ 6.5cm | Stop if ≥ 5.5cm | Mandatory |

Specific rules

• hypertension
  • can drive unless treatment causes unacceptable side effects, no need to notify DVLA
  • if Group 2 Entitlement the disqualifies from driving if resting BP consistently 180 mmHg systolic or more and/or 100 mm Hg diastolic or more
• angioplasty (elective) - 1 week off driving
• CABG - 4 weeks off driving
• acute coronary syndrome- 4 weeks off driving
  • 1 week if successfully treated by angioplasty
• angina - driving must cease if symptoms occur at rest/at the wheel
• pacemaker insertion - 1 week off driving
• implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
  • if implanted for sustained ventricular arrhythmia: cease driving for 6 months
  • if implanted prophylactically then cease driving for 1 month. Having an ICD results in a permanent bar for Group 2 drivers
• successful catheter ablation for an arrhythmia- 2 days off driving
• aortic aneurysm of 6cm or more - notify DVLA. Licensing will be permitted subject to annual review.
  • an aortic diameter of 6.5 cm or more disqualifies patients from driving
• heart transplant: do not drive for 6 weeks, no need to notify DVLA