The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999

PART VI E+W+S DISABILITIES

Licence groups E+W+S

70.—(1) In this Part of these Regulations—

• “Group 1 licence" means a licence in so far as it authorises its holder to drive classes of motor vehicle included in—

  (a)

  [F1 categories AM, A, B, B+E, F, G, H, K and L,]

  (b)

  the former category N,

• “Group 2 licence" means, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a licence in so far as it authorises its holder to drive classes of motor vehicle included in any other category, and

• “licence" includes, unless the context otherwise requires, a Northern Ireland licence and a Community licence.

(2) In so far as a licence authorises its holder to drive vehicles of a class included in sub-categories C1, C1+E (8.25 tonnes), D1 (not for hire or reward) and D1+E (not for hire or reward) it is a Group 1 licence while it remains in force if—

(a) it was in force at a time before 1st January 1997, or

(b) it is granted upon the expiry of a licence which was in force at a time before 1st January 1997 and comes into force not later than 31st December 1997.

(3) Subject to paragraph (6)(d) of regulation 7, a licence shall be a Group 1 licence in so far as it authorises, by virtue of paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) of that regulation, the driving of a class of motor vehicles which is not included in a category or sub-category specified in relation to a Group 1 licence in paragraph (1) or (2) above.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 70(1) substituted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 42

Disabilities prescribed in respect of Group 1 and 2 licences E+W+S

71.—(1) The following disabilities are prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) of the Traffic Act as relevant disabilities in relation to an applicant for, or a person who holds, a Group 1 or Group 2 licence—

(a) epilepsy;

(b) severe mental disorder;

(c) liability to sudden attacks of disabling giddiness or fainting which are caused by any disorder or defect of the heart as a result of which the applicant for the licence or, as the case may be, the holder of the licence has a device implanted in his body, being a device which, by operating on the heart so as to regulate its action, is designed to correct the disorder or defect;

(d) liability to sudden attacks of disabling giddiness or fainting, other than attacks falling within paragraph (1)(c); and

(e) persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol, whether or not such misuse amounts to dependency.

(2) The disability prescribed in paragraph (1)(c) is prescribed for the purpose of section 92(4)(b) of the Traffic Act in relation to an applicant for a Group 1 or Group 2 licence if the applicant suffering from that disability satisfies the Secretary of State that—

(a) the driving of a vehicle by him in pursuance of the licence is not likely to be a source of danger to the public; and

(b) he has made adequate arrangements to receive regular medical supervision by a cardiologist (being a supervision to be continued throughout the period of the licence) and is conforming to those arrangements.

(3) The following disabilities are prescribed for the purposes of paragraphs (a) and (c) of section 92(4) of the Traffic Act namely, any disability consisting solely of any one or more of—

(a) the absence of one or more limbs,

(b) the deformity of one or more limbs, or

(c) the lost of use of one or more limbs, which is not progressive in nature.

(4) In this regulation—

(a) in paragraph (1)(b), the expression “severe mental disorder" includes mental illness, arrested or incomplete development of the mind, psychopathic disorder and severe impairment of intelligence or social functioning;

(b) in paragraph (2)(b), the expression “cardiologist" means a registered medical practitioner who specialises in disorders or defects of the heart and who, in that connection, holds a hospital appointment;

(c) in paragraph (3), references to a limb include references to a part of a limb, and the reference to loss of use, in relation to a limb, includes a reference to a deficiency of limb movement or power.

Disabilities prescribed in respect of Group 1 licences E+W+S

72.— [F2 (1) There is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) of the Traffic Act as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or a holder of, a Group 1 licence, the inability to read in good daylight, with the aid of corrective lenses if worn, a registration mark which is affixed to a motor vehicle and contains characters of the prescribed size.

(1A) In paragraph (1) the “prescribed size” means—

(a) characters 79 millimetres high and 57 millimetres wide in a case where they are viewed from a distance of—

(i) 12.3 metres, by an applicant for, or the holder of, a licence authorising the driving of a vehicle of a class included in category K, and

(ii) 20.5 metres, in any other case; or

(b) characters 79 millimetres high and 50 millimetres wide in a case where they are viewed from a distance of—

(i) 12 metres, by an applicant for, or the holder of, a licence authorising the driving of a vehicle of a class included in category K, and

(ii) 20 metres, in any other case.]

(2) Epilepsy is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(4)(b) of the Traffic Act in relation to an applicant for a Group 1 licence who either—

(a) has been free from any epileptic attack during the period of one year immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted; or

(b) (if not so free from attack) has had an epileptic attack whilst asleep more than three years before the date when the licence is granted and has had attacks only whilst asleep between the date of that attack and the date when the licence is granted,

[F3 where the conditions set out in paragraph (2A) are satisfied].

[F4 (2A) The conditions are that—

(a) so far as is practicable, he complies with the directions regarding his treatment for epilepsy, including directions as to regular medical check-ups made as part of that treatment, which may from time to time be given to him by the registered medical practitioner supervising the treatment,

(b) if required to do so by the Secretary of State, he has provided a declaration signed by him that he will observe the condition in sub-paragraph (a), and

(c) the Secretary of State is satisfied that the driving of a vehicle by him in accordance with the licence is not likely to be a source of danger to the public.]

(3) The disability described in paragraph (1) is prescribed for the purposes of section 94(5)(b) of the Traffic Act in relation to an applicant for, or a person who holds, a Group 1 licence.

[F5 (4) Diabetes mellitus is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) of the Traffic Act as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or a holder of, a Group 1 licence, who is being treated with insulin or another medication which carries a risk of inducing hypoglycaemia and—

(a) has experienced two or more episodes of severe hypoglycaemia during the previous one year period; or

(b) has impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia.

(5) Diabetes mellitus is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(4)(b) of the Traffic Act in relation to an applicant for a Group 1 licence who is being treated with insulin and—

(a) has had no more than one episode of severe hypoglycaemia during the period of one year immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted;

(b) does not have impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia; and

(c) satisfies the conditions prescribed in paragraph (6).

(6) The conditions are that the applicant—

(a) can demonstrate an understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia and adequate control of the condition;

(b) undertakes appropriate blood glucose monitoring;

(c) is under regular medical review; and

(d) is a person in respect of whom the Secretary of State is satisfied that the driving of a vehicle in accordance with the licence is not likely to be a source of danger to the public.

(7) In this regulation—

“impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia” means the inability to detect the onset of hypoglycaemia because of a total absence of warning symptoms;

“severe hypoglycaemia” means an episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person]

Textual Amendments

F2 Reg. 72(1)(1A) substituted for reg. 72(1) (21.2.2003) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/166), regs. 1(1), 5(2)

F3 Words in reg. 72(2) substituted (21.2.2003) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/166), regs. 1(1), 5(3)

F4 Reg. 72(2A) inserted (21.2.2003) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/166), regs. 1(1), 5(4)

F5 Reg. 72(4)-(7) inserted (15.11.2011) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2516), regs. 1(1), 2(2)

Disabilities prescribed in respect of Group 2 licences E+W+S

73.— [F6 (1) There is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) of the Traffic Act as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or the holder of, a Group 2 licence the disability described in regulation 72(1).]

(2) There is also prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) of the Traffic Act as a relevant disability in relation to a person other than an excepted licence holder who is an applicant for or who holds a Group 2 licence, such abnormality of sight in one or both eyes that he cannot meet the relevant standard of visual acuity.

(3) The relevant standard of visual acuity for the purposes of paragraph (2) means—

(a) in the case of a person who—

(i) was the holder of a valid Group 2 licence or obsolete vocational licence upon each relevant date specified in column (1) of Table 1 at the end of this regulation, and

(ii) if he is an applicant for a Group 2 licence, satisfies the Secretary of State that he has had adequate recent driving experience and has not during the period of 10 years immediately before the date of the application been involved in any road accident in which his defective eyesight was a contributory factor,

the standard prescribed in relation to him in column (2) of Table 1;

(b) in the case of a person who—

(i) does not fall within sub-paragraph (a), and

(ii) was or is the holder of a valid Group 2 licence upon the relevant date specified in column (1) of Table 2 at the end of this regulation,

the standard prescribed in relation to him in column (2) of Table 2;

F7 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F8 (c) in the case of any other person, a standard of visual acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/9 in the better eye and at least 6/12 in the worse eye and, if corrective lenses are necessary, an uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 in both eyes.]

(4) There is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) of the traffic Act in relation to a person—

(a) to whom paragraph (3)(c) applies, and

(b) who is able to meet the relevant standard of visual acuity prescribed in that sub-paragraph only with the aid of corrective lenses,

poor toleration of the correction made by the lenses.

(5) There is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) as a relevant disability in relation to a person who is an applicant for or who holds a Group 2 licence, sight in only one eye unless—

(a) he held an obsolete vocational licence on 1st April 1991, the traffic commissioner who granted the last such licence knew of the disability before 1st January 1991, and—

(i) in a case of a person who also held such a licence on 1st January 1983, the visual acuity in his sighted eye is no worse than 6/12, or

(ii) in any other case, the visual acuity in his sighted eye is no worse than 6/9, and

if he is an applicant for a Group 2 licence, he satisfies the Secretary of State that he has had adequate recent driving experience and has not during the period of 10 years immediately before the date of the application been involved in any road accident in which his defective eyesight was a contributory factor; or

(b) the person is an excepted licence holder.

[F9 (6) Diabetes mellitus is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) of the Traffic Act as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or a holder of, a Group 2 licence who is being treated with insulin or another medication which carries a risk of inducing hypoglycaemia and—

(a) has experienced one or more episodes of severe hypoglycaemia during the previous one year period; or

(b) does not have full awareness of hypoglycaemia.

(6A) Diabetes mellitus is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(4)(b) of the Traffic Act in relation to an applicant for a Group 2 licence, who—

(a) is being treated with insulin and—

(i) has undergone treatment with insulin for at least 4 weeks;

(ii) has full awareness of hypoglycaemia;

(iii) has not, during the period of one year immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted, had an episode of severe hypoglycaemia; and

(iv) satisfies the conditions prescribed in paragraphs (6B) and (6C); or

(b) is being treated with a medication which carries a risk of inducing hypoglycaemia, other than insulin, and—

(i) has full awareness of hypoglycaemia;

(ii) has not, during the period of one year immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted, had an episode of severe hypoglycaemia; and

(iii) satisfies the conditions prescribed in paragraphs (6B) and (6D).

(6B) The conditions are that the applicant—

(a) regularly monitors his or her condition and, in particular, undertakes blood glucose monitoring at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving;

(b) provides a signed declaration to the Secretary of State that he or she—

(i) understands the risk of hypoglycaemia and will comply with such directions regarding treatment for diabetes as may from time to time be given by the registered medical practitioner overseeing that treatment, or one of the clinical team working under the supervision of that registered medical practitioner;

(ii) will immediately report to the Secretary of State in writing any significant change in his or her condition and pending any enquiries being made by the Secretary of State, will follow the advice of his or her registered medical practitioner, or one of the clinical team working under the supervision of that registered medical practitioner, concerning fitness to drive; and

(iii) will provide such evidence as the Secretary of State may request to demonstrate that the monitoring referred to in sub-paragraph (a) is being carried out;

(c) is a person in respect of whom the Secretary of State is satisfied that the driving of a vehicle in accordance with the licence is not likely to be a source of danger to the public.

(6C) The further conditions for an applicant who is being treated with insulin are that—

(a) the applicant has attended an examination by a hospital consultant specialising in the treatment of diabetes, who has provided a report sufficient to satisfy the Secretary of State that the applicant has a history of responsible diabetic control and currently has a minimal risk of impairment due to hypoglycaemia;

(b) the applicant monitors his or her condition as set out in paragraph (6B)(a), using a device that incorporates an electronic memory function to measure and record blood glucose levels, and undertakes to continue so to monitor.

(6D)  The further condition for an applicant who is not being treated with insulin is that—

• the applicant has attended an examination by a registered medical practitioner, who has provided a report sufficient to satisfy the Secretary of State that the applicant has a history of responsible diabetic control and currently has a minimal risk of impairment due to hypoglycaemia.

(6E) In this regulation “severe hypoglycaemia” has the same meaning as in regulation 72(7).]

(7) Liability to seizures arising from a cause other than epilepsy is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(2) in relation to an applicant for or a person who holds a Group 2 licence.

(8) Epilepsy is prescribed for the purposes of section 92(4)(b) of the Traffic Act in the case of an applicant for a Group 2 licence suffering from epilepsy who satisfies the Secretary of State that—

(a) during the period of 10 years immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted—

(i) he has been free from any epileptic attack, and

(ii) he has not required any medication to treat epilepsy, and

(b) that the driving of a vehicle by him in accordance with the licence is not likely to be a source of danger to the public.

F10 (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F11 (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(11) In this regulation—

(a) references to measurements of visual acuity are references to visual acuity measured on the Snellen Scale;

(b) “excepted licence holder" means a person who—

(i) was the holder of a licence authorising the driving of vehicles included in sub-categories C1 and C1+E (8.25 tonnes) which was in force at a time before 1st January 1997, and

(ii) is an applicant for, or the holder of, a Group 2 licence solely by reason that the licence applied for or held authorises (or would, if granted, authorise) the driving of vehicles included in those sub-categories.

(c) “obsolete vocational licence" means a licence to drive heavy goods vehicles granted under Part IV of the Traffic Act as originally enacted or a licence to drive public service vehicles granted under section 22 of the 1981 Act which was in force a time before 1 April 1991.

TABLE 1

(1) Person holding Group 2 licence or obsolete vocational licence on:	(2) Standard of visual acuity applicable:
1. 1 January 1983 and 1 April 1991	Acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/12 in the better eye or at least 6/36 in the worse eye or uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 in at least one eye.
2. 1 March 1992, but not on 1 January 1983	Acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/9 in the better eye or at least 6/12 in the worse eye, or uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 in at least one eye.

TABLE 2

(1) Person holding Group 2 licence on:	(2) Standard of visual acuity applicable:
1. 31 December 1996, but not on 1 March 1992.	Acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/9 in the better eye and at least 6/12 in the worse eye and, if corrective lenses are needed to meet that standard, uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 in at least one eye.
F12 . . .	F12 . . .

Textual Amendments

F6 Reg. 73(1) substituted (21.2.2003) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/166), regs. 1(1), 6(a)

F7 Reg. 73(3)(c) omitted (21.2.2003) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/166), regs. 1(1), 6(b)

F8 Reg. 73(3)(c) inserted (2.4.2007) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/698), regs. 1(1), 13(a)

F9 Reg. 73(6)-(6E) substituted for reg. 73(6) (15.11.2011) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2516), regs. 1(1), 3(2)

F10 Reg. 73(9) omitted (15.11.2011) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2516), regs. 1(1), 3(3)

F11 Reg. 73(10) omitted (15.11.2011) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2516), regs. 1(1), 3(4)

F12 Reg. 73 Table 2 entry omitted (2.4.2007) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/698), regs. 1(1), 13(b)

Disabilities requiring medical investigation: High Risk Offenders E+W+S

74.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the circumstances prescribed for the purposes of subsection (5) of section 94 of the Traffic Act, under subsection (4) of that section, are that the person who is an applicant for, or holder of, a licence—

(a) has been disqualified by an order of a court by reason that the proportion of alcohol in his body equalled or exceeded—

(i) 87.5 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath, or

(ii) 200 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood, or

(iii) 267.5 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine;

(b) has been disqualified by order of a court by reason that he has failed, without reasonable excuse, to provide a specimen when required to do so pursuant to section 7 of the Traffic Act; or

(c) has been disqualified by order of a court on two or more occasions within any period of 10 years by reason that—

(i) the proportion of alcohol in his breath, blood or urine exceeded the limit prescribed by virtue of section 5 of the Traffic Act, or

(ii) he was unfit to drive through drink contrary to section 4 of that Act.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) and (b) a court order shall not be taken into account unless it was made on or after 1st June 1990 and paragraph (1)(c) shall not apply to a person unless the last such order was made on or after 1st June 1990.

Examination by an officer of the Secretary of State E+W+S

75.—(1) There are prescribed for the purposes of section 94(5)(b)(ii) (examination of a licence applicant or holder by an officer of the Secretary of State) the following disabilities—

(a) impairment of visual acuity or of the central or peripheral visual field;

(b) a disability consisting of any one or more of the following—

(i) the absence of one or more limbs,

(ii) the deformity of one or more limbs,

(iii) the loss of use of one or more limbs whether or not progressive in nature, and

(iv) impairment of co-ordination of movement of the limbs or of co-ordination between a limb and the eye;

(c) impairment of cognitive functions or behaviour;

(2) In paragraph (1)(b), a reference to a limb includes a reference to part of a limb, and the reference to loss of use in relation to a limb includes a reference to impairment of limb movement, power or sensation.