Department for Transport
Central Government
Action Taken
The DVLA has delivered a series of educational sessions to healthcare professionals to encourage direct notification of medical conditions. The Department for Transport and DVLA are also reviewing self-declaration forms, raising public awareness of the duty to notify, and reinforcing GMC guidance for doctors. (AI summary)
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[Page 1] RESPONSE TO A REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS REGULATION 29 OF THE CORONERS (INVESTIGATIONS) REGULATIONS 2013 Please do not include any living persons’ names in this document, in accordance with the Chief Coroner’s PFD Publication Policy (2026). THIS RESPONSE IS BEING SENT TO: Mr Robert Cohen The Senior Coroner, Mr Robert Cohen for the Coroner Area Cumbria in response to a ‘REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATH REGULATION 28’ following an inquest into the death of Mr Scott Coates that concluded on
1. RESPONDENT In line with our duty under Regulation 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, , Minister for Local Transport provides this response within 56 days (plus any extension granted) of the date of the Report to Prevent Future Deaths.
2. DATE OF RESPONSE TBC
3. CONFIRMATION OF CORONER’S MATTERS OF CONCERN The MATTERS OF CONCERN were identified in the report are as follows: The reliability and safety of the current self-declaration system and the risk that some drivers may not inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of relevant medical conditions that may affect their fitness to drive.
[Page 2]
3. DETAILS OF ACTION TAKEN, how has the concern been addressed. The actions being taken by my Department and the DVLA to address the issues raised in this Prevention of Future Deaths Report include reviewing the self declaration forms for notifying the DVLA of a medical condition, raising public awareness of the legal duty to notify medical conditions to the DVLA and the ‑consequences of not doing so and reinforcing the existing General Medical Council guidance which advises doctors when to notify the DVLA where a patient continues to drive despite being advised to notify the DVLA. I can confirm that the DVLA is engaging with healthcare professionals and has delivered a series of educational sessions to encourage clinicians to notify the DVLA directly where a patient is unable or unwilling to do so themselves. Further engagement with regulatory bodies, clinical networks and healthcare professionals will continue to better understand any concerns or issues that may be preventing notifications being made to the DVLA by doctors and driving licence holders.
4. DETAILS OF FURTHER ACTION PROPOSED Please note that any links to webpages included in the response will not be checked for sensitive information prior to publication, as the information is already online. The work to review and improve the self-declaration forms and associated processes is ongoing and timescales will continue to be considered alongside wider organisational changes already underway. Driver licensing for those with medical conditions is a highly complex area involving an extensive range of
[Page 3] conditions, medical standards, legal and operational requirements and wide a range of stakeholders. It is important that any changes are considered and introduced carefully to ensure they are safe, workable and sustainable. SIGNATURE MP, MINISTER FOR LOCAL TRANSPORT.
1. RESPONDENT In line with our duty under Regulation 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, , Minister for Local Transport provides this response within 56 days (plus any extension granted) of the date of the Report to Prevent Future Deaths.
2. DATE OF RESPONSE TBC
3. CONFIRMATION OF CORONER’S MATTERS OF CONCERN The MATTERS OF CONCERN were identified in the report are as follows: The reliability and safety of the current self-declaration system and the risk that some drivers may not inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of relevant medical conditions that may affect their fitness to drive.
[Page 2]
3. DETAILS OF ACTION TAKEN, how has the concern been addressed. The actions being taken by my Department and the DVLA to address the issues raised in this Prevention of Future Deaths Report include reviewing the self declaration forms for notifying the DVLA of a medical condition, raising public awareness of the legal duty to notify medical conditions to the DVLA and the ‑consequences of not doing so and reinforcing the existing General Medical Council guidance which advises doctors when to notify the DVLA where a patient continues to drive despite being advised to notify the DVLA. I can confirm that the DVLA is engaging with healthcare professionals and has delivered a series of educational sessions to encourage clinicians to notify the DVLA directly where a patient is unable or unwilling to do so themselves. Further engagement with regulatory bodies, clinical networks and healthcare professionals will continue to better understand any concerns or issues that may be preventing notifications being made to the DVLA by doctors and driving licence holders.
4. DETAILS OF FURTHER ACTION PROPOSED Please note that any links to webpages included in the response will not be checked for sensitive information prior to publication, as the information is already online. The work to review and improve the self-declaration forms and associated processes is ongoing and timescales will continue to be considered alongside wider organisational changes already underway. Driver licensing for those with medical conditions is a highly complex area involving an extensive range of
[Page 3] conditions, medical standards, legal and operational requirements and wide a range of stakeholders. It is important that any changes are considered and introduced carefully to ensure they are safe, workable and sustainable. SIGNATURE MP, MINISTER FOR LOCAL TRANSPORT.