From 20 July, more healthcare professionals besides doctors will be able to complete DVLA medical questionnaires.
Following a change to the Road Traffic Act 1988, doctors will now be able to refer medical questionnaires to colleagues including specialist nurses and opticians from other professional bodies.
The change follows work by the DVLA, including a public consultation where 82 per cent of responders were in favour of the change.
The change has been implemented in order to speed up parts of the medical licencing process, while at the same time reducing the burden on doctors. Often other healthcare professionals are involved in patient care, and they will now be able to complete the DVLA medical forms. Following the change, medical professionals from the following Councils will be able to complete medical questionnaires on behalf of doctors: General Chiropractic Council; The General Optical Council; The General Osteopathic Council; The Nursing and Midwifery Council; and the Health and Care Professions Council
The DVLA will still send questionnaires to doctors and consultants and then individual GP practices and hospital teams will determine which healthcare professional will complete it.
Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: "Obtaining or renewing a driving licence should always be a quick, simple and efficient process.
"That’s why we’re allowing more healthcare professionals to complete DVLA medical questionnaires to speed up the medical licensing process and ease the burden on GPs."
DVLA Chief Executive Julie Lennard said: "Every year we are receiving an increasing number of medical licensing applications from drivers. This law change, which widens the pool of healthcare professionals who can complete DVLA questionnaires, improves the process for those notifying DVLA of medical conditions whilst reducing the administrative burden on doctors, benefitting drivers and the NHS alike."
The government press release emphasised that change to the law does not apply to the D4 Medical Examination Report which still needs to be completed by a doctor or consultant who is registered with the GMC.
