To ask about removal of driving licence

[rosylavender]

Here is the situation.

If someone is driving and is stopped by the police, and they are not drinking or on drugs, can their driving licence be revoked on medical grounds even if no diagnosed illness?

What were the "medical grounds"? There must have been a reason?

What do you mean?

I'd guess it would depend on the situation. If you are clearly demonstrating you aren't safe to drive, eg blacking out, difficulty steering, reduced reaction time etc then presumably they can, at least pending examination and dx etc.

Thanks

If you are aware you are unable to drive safely due to a medical condition you must inform the DVLA. If you continue to drive and cause an accident your insurance will be invalid and you will be personally liable for all costs - you could lose literally everything you own.

Yes, but what if you are not aware? In other words if you have never been diagnosed with anything and then a letter comes form the police?

Is this hypothetical?

I hate these vague posts where we’re all supposed to guess the situation and give appropriate advice.

Can’t you just tell us what happened so people can help properly?

Yes
Happened to a friend of my parents.

DF blacked out at wheel once and couldn't drive for 6 months. No reason for blackout was found.

Again I would imagine it depends on the likelihood of whether you can reasonably be expected to have known. So if for instance you have your first ever fit whilst driving, it makes sense they can stop you, but at the same time would be unfair to prosecute you for driving when unfit when you had no idea.

However if eg an eye problem has reduced your vision to the point you aren't safe, it's fair to assume you must have been aware your eyesight rendered you unfit.

(Just incase it isn't clear I'm just guessing from what I do know, I'm not an expert on traffic laws or in the police or similar)

Surely if the police know enogh to issue a letter stopping them driving the person must know enough to know they were unsafe to drive? 🤔

I hate those posts where people post just to say they hate posts.

Pj no they do not.

Thank you for your help. I’m not intentionally being vague, you all know as much as me.

Surely any letter regarding having your driving licence revoked would come from the DVLA not the police...

Also the advice would be different depending on the actual situation & the driver involved - HGV drivers for example have a different set of laws to follow.

Perhaps no diagnosis but you can have symptoms without one.

This one definitely came from the police - don’t know what normal practice is.

I think that the police/DVLA will revoke a license if your safety as a driver will be compromised. This isn’t a punishment as such, e.g. my grandfather was not allowed to drive for 6 weeks after a TIA. It’s common sense and responsible.

If the concern is that you will be prosecuted, I think that would depend on prior knowledge the driver had of the medical condition, and would possibly involve more than just revoking the license.

rosy but you are being vague! If you'd said 'I/my dad/my neighbour blacked out at the wheel and have now received a letter from the DVLA saying xyz' people would be in a better position to give advice.

Sorry, I’m not going to compromise someone else’s privacy for your sake. Why does it matter?

Has the person in question been asked to voluntarily surrender their licence because they are unfit to drive?

Also, I imagine that in this instance a diagnosis doesn’t matter as such - a condition exists or doesn’t, so if the police have deemed someone unsafe to drive that’s what has happened. Being undiagnosed won’t mean without the condition. I imagine the DVLA would be able to answer more specific queries if there is confusion over the condition from the driver.

Can you tell us what the letter actually said?

The police aren't responsible for issuing and/or revoking driving licences it's the DVLA, DVSA or the Traffic Commissioner who have that responsibility.

Sorry, I’m not going to compromise someone else’s privacy for your sake

I really couldn't give a flying fuck who it's about. I'm sure it wouldn't be beyond your wit to change very minor details, ie who it's about. My point is, if you want advice, you have to give relevant information.

I'll leave you to it, love 🙄.

Someone I know was reported by a concerned member of public for having fits and they are banned from driving for 12 months even with no diagnosed illness.

I agree with Helga - it doesn't matter if you knew or not, as the removal of the license is based on being unfit to drive and not a punishment.
I don't know whether there's precedent for this, or the rules, but would imagine it makes sense for the police/DVLA to be able to suspend/remove licenses if it obvious the person is not fit to drive.