High blood pressure (hypertension) and driving

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.

Car or motorcycle licence

You do not need to tell DVLA if you have high blood pressure.

You must stop driving if a doctor says you have malignant hypertension. You can drive again when both the following apply:

  • a doctor confirms that your condition is well controlled
  • your blood pressure is consistently below 180/110mmHg

Bus, coach or lorry licence

You must tell DVLA if you have high blood pressure.

You have hypertension

Fill in form BP1V and send it to DVLA. The address is on the form. You do not need to stop driving unless a doctor says you have malignant hypertension.

You have malignant hypertension

Fill in form VOCH1 and send it to DVLA. The address is on the form.

You must stop driving. You can drive again when both the following apply:

  • a doctor confirms that your condition is well controlled
  • your blood pressure is consistently below 180/100mmHg