We have been made aware that nationally, practices have been receiving requests from patients for GPs to document that they are fit to drive under section 88 of the Road Traffic Act. Apparently the DVLA are behind with licence renewals so are advising people they can drive under section 88 – but that a GP must document their fitness to drive to allow that. BLMC are of the opinion that this is not only a workload burden but also a medico-legal risk, and completely contradictory to DVLAs own statements that only their medicolegal advisors can judge fitness to drive.
These requests are being raised at a national level by the GPC with the DVLA and BLMC would recommend that should your practice receive a request of this nature from a patient that you decline and advise the patient to contact the DVLA.