The DVLA has been slammed for leaving thousands of drivers stuck off UK roads, as MPs from across the political spectrum warn of long delays and mounting frustration.
During a heated Commons debate, parliamentarians said people who had followed the rules and declared medical conditions were being punished by a system that is too slow and outdated.
Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, who secured the debate, said many drivers were left waiting months with no updates at all. “The DVLA is stuck in manual, while the rest of us are on automatic,” she told MPs.
She criticised the agency for relying heavily on letters sent through the post to doctors and consultants, instead of using faster digital systems.
A 2023 report by the Public Accounts Committee found that around three million people declaring medical conditions had faced serious delays since 2020. By contrast, those applying online without health issues can often get their licence in just three days.
Transport minister Simon Lightwood apologised in the Commons, admitting the situation had gone wrong for too many people.
“I am sorry to all those who have been impacted by the delays,” he said.
“We are going to put things right, we are putting things right.”
He pointed to rising demand, with more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions made in 2024–25 alone.
An ageing population is also putting increasing pressure, as more drivers seek to stay on the road for longer.
Drivers can be banned from UK roads and slapped with hefty fines for failing to meet medical standards | GETTY/PA
Mr Lightwood said some cases are quick to resolve, such as well-managed diabetes. But more complex conditions need detailed evidence from NHS specialists, which can slow the process down.
MPs shared stark stories from their constituents. Zöe Franklin, MP for Guildford, spoke about a man with stage four lung cancer. He gave up his licence responsibly in August 2024, was later cleared to drive, but is still waiting for a decision nine months on.
Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate, described a self-employed worker who lost more than £60,000 in income because of delays. She said his “livelihood, security and mental health” were all put at risk.
Young drivers are also affected. Ms Slade said two constituents, Max and Maisie, declared childhood conditions when applying for provisional licences and then waited six months with no progress.
The DVLA frequently updates its medical condition reporting forms | DVLA
Meanwhile, Chris Bloore MP for Redditch raised the case of a man who recovered from a benign brain tumour but was forced into semi-retirement because his licence had still not been returned.
But the DVLA said it is trying to fix the problem. A new digital medical service launched on March 31, aiming to speed up applications and reduce reliance on paper forms.
Extra staff are also being brought in, with dozens of new caseworkers already in training. According to ministers, processing times are starting to fall. Average waiting times dropped to 56.6 working days in April, down from more than 70 days earlier in the year.
But MPs warned that delays are still far too long and continue to disrupt people‘s lives. The debate also raised wider concerns about vehicle regulation.
The DVLA has unveiled a new digital site for drivers to disclose medical conditions
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GETTYSarah Coombes warned about a surge in fraudulent number plates. She said there are now more than 34,000 registered suppliers in Britain, with very few checks in place.
“Dodgy number plate sellers are a public scandal waiting to happen,” she said. She added that seven per cent of vehicles have no registered keeper, while thousands are officially registered to the DVLA itself because owners cannot be traced.
The Motor Insurers‘ Bureau estimated that uninsured and untraceable drivers add around £50 a year to every motorist’s premium.
Mr Lightwood said the Government is now reviewing the system and looking at tougher rules for number plate suppliers.