It’s pretty obvious to most people that you shouldn’t get behind the wheel after a session in the pub or following a major operation.
Drivers must also have a minimum field of vision. But driving experts at Lease Car have compiled a list of some surprising issues motorists should tell the DVLA about. Otherwise, people can risk fines of up to £1,000.
Here’s five of the less obvious conditions:
Déjà vu
Whilst this can be experienced by people of good health, it is also associated with certain types of epilepsy, as the cause of it can be a neurological anomaly related to epileptic electrical discharge in the brain.
This medically induced déjà vu is what must be reported to the DVLA.
(Image: Westend61)
Labyrinthitis
This is a common ear infection where the labyrinth becomes inflamed. It varies in severity, and goes in a few weeks but the symptoms include headaches, compromised hearing, ear pain and vertigo.
If effects of the infection do have a severe impact on you, or the infection lasts longer than a few weeks, DVLA need to know about it.
Sleep Apnoea
This is a condition that effects breathing during sleep, leading to interrupted sleep, which in turn can leave you with feelings of tiredness, potentially causing you to fall asleep at the wheel.
Because of how obviously dangerous this is, in severe cases you should contact you GP for advice on informing the DVLA.
Eating disorders
In severe cases, people with eating disorders may find themselves feeling weak and dizzy.
If you are experiencing side effects that could affect your ability to drive, you must inform the DVLA.
Arthritis
Although around 10 million people suffer from this condition, where there is pain and inflammation around a joint, some cases are more severe than others, and can affect your driving ability.
You should tell the DVLA if your condition affects your driving and lasts more than three months.
