Declaring a medical condition to the DVLA

[topcatatwork]

I hope someone can clarify this. If you have told your doctor that you suffer from blackouts, is the GP obliged to inform the DVLA? Could the GP realistically, legally or professionally, say that he/she is doing you a favour by not making that declaration on your behalf? At which point would you need to inform your motor insurance company that you suffer from this condition?

[jno]

I don't think doctors take the oath any more, Graham-W, and apparently Scouts don't dyb - dyb - dyb

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7289504.stm

[woofgang]

Graham doctors haven't sworn the Hippocratic Oath in decades....the doctors I knew do swear but its a lot more colourful. Also Doctor patient confidentiality is not unbreakable. Doctors and other clinicians have a duty of care which means if they are told or find out things that represent a threat to the patient or to others, they have a duty to act on it including disclosure. They should consider acting in agreement and partnership with the patient but if that is not possible they should inform the patient but if they think that not appropriate, then they can act/disclose without informing the patient that they will do so.

[EDDIE51]

The doctor will tell you that you must inform the DVLA and surrender your licence. But the doctor will not actually tell them him/her self.
If you suffer from blackouts or fits you MUST !! 1 by law report it to the DVLA and SURRENDER your licence ! .You can only drive again if you get full medical clearance to do so. Once you have the clearance you can then apply for your licence back but the DVLA will check with your doctor before they reissue the licence.
This happened to me when I had what was thought to be an epileptic black out.
I only got my licence back once the doctors had confirmed that it was not epilepsy related.To continue to drive once you are aware that you have had a blackout/fit is a criminal offence. You will be uninsured and if you have and accident and kill someone it will be classed as Death by Dangerous Driving and that is a compulsory prison sentence.
You also must inform your insurance even once you get your licence back that you have had to surrender a licence due to medical reasons.

[EDDIE51]

Yes as woofgang says if a doctor becomes aware that you are still driving despite being told to stop and surrender your licence they can tell the DVLA as it is so dangerous it overrides their duty of confidentiality.