The DVLA has issued a clear warning that drivers diagnosed with malignant hypertension must stop driving immediately or risk a fine of up to £1,000. This condition, also known as accelerated hypertension, involves a sudden and severe rise in blood pressure that can lead to sudden disabling events such as strokes or hypertensive crises.
Who Must Stop Driving?
According to the DVLA, you do not need to inform them if you have high blood pressure alone. However, if a doctor diagnoses you with malignant hypertension, you must stop driving and notify the DVLA. You may resume driving only when a doctor confirms that your condition is well controlled. Failure to report a medical condition that affects your driving can result in a fine of up to £1,000, and you may be prosecuted if involved in an accident.
Group 1 Drivers (Cars and Motorcycles)
For most car and motorcycle drivers (Group 1), the DVLA states: "You do not need to tell the DVLA about high blood pressure if it is your only medical condition." However, you must notify them if your blood pressure causes treatment side effects that affect your driving, such as severe dizziness, or if you develop related complications like a stroke or heart condition.
Group 2 Drivers (Buses, Coaches, and Lorries)
For bus, coach, and lorry drivers (Group 2), the rules are stricter. You do not need to tell the DVLA if your blood pressure is consistently below 180/100 mmHg. But you must stop driving and notify the DVLA if your blood pressure is consistently above that level, or if a doctor says you have malignant hypertension. You can drive again when a doctor confirms your condition is well controlled.
How to Notify the DVLA
There are different forms depending on your condition. If your blood pressure is consistently above 180/100 mmHg but you do not have malignant hypertension, you must fill in form BP1V. If you have malignant hypertension, you must fill in form VOCH1. My Patient Advice explains: "The DVLA’s primary concern is ‘sudden disabling events.’ High blood pressure itself doesn’t usually cause someone to lose control of a vehicle, but the complications of high blood pressure such as a sudden stroke or a ‘hypertensive crisis’ can. Therefore, the requirement to disclose often depends on the severity of your reading and the type of vehicle you are licensed to operate."
