Do I need to tell the DVLA about hypertension? 

Maintaining a driving license in the UK is a privilege that comes with the responsibility of being medically fit to drive. High blood pressure is one of the most common medical conditions in the UK, and while it rarely prevents someone from driving a standard car, there are specific legal triggers where you must notify the DVLA. Failure to do so can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and may invalidate your car insurance. This article breaks down exactly when you need to pick up the phone or go online to report your condition and when you can simply continue with your normal treatment. 

What We’ll Discuss in This Article 

• General disclosure rules for Group 1 (Car/Motorcycle) drivers. 

• Stricter requirements for Group 2 (Bus/Lorry) drivers. 

• The clinical threshold for ‘medical incapacitation’ behind the wheel. 

• Causes for automatic license suspension related to blood pressure. 

• Triggers that require an immediate report to the DVLA. 

• Differentiation between ‘hypertension’ and ‘hypertension with complications.’ 

DVLA Requirements for Drivers With High Blood Pressure 

For most car and motorcycle drivers (Group 1), you do not need to tell the DVLA about high blood pressure if it is your only medical condition. However, you must notify them if your blood pressure causes treatment side effects that affect your driving (such as severe dizziness) or if you develop related complications like a stroke or heart condition. For bus and lorry drivers (Group 2), the rules are much stricter, and the DVLA must be notified if blood pressure is consistently 180/100 mmHg or higher. 

The DVLA’s primary concern is ‘sudden disabling events.’ High blood pressure itself doesn’t usually cause someone to lose control of a vehicle, but the complications of high blood pressure such as a sudden stroke or a ‘hypertensive crisis’ can. Therefore, the requirement to disclose often depends on the severity of your reading and the type of vehicle you are licensed to operate. 

Group 1 vs. Group 2 Requirements 

The DVLA differentiates between standard licenses and professional licenses. Because of the size and weight of Group 2 vehicles, the medical standards are significantly higher to protect public safety. 

License Category	Tell DVLA about BP alone?	When to tell DVLA
Group 1 (Car/Bike)	No	If you have side effects (dizziness) or complications (stroke/vision loss).
Group 2 (Bus/Lorry)	Yes	If BP is consistently 180/100 mmHg or higher, regardless of symptoms.

If you are a Group 2 driver and your blood pressure is found to be above the 180/100 mmHg threshold during a medical, you will be disqualified from driving until your blood pressure is brought under control and maintained below that level. 

Causes for Mandatory Disclosure 

The clinical cause for the DVLA requiring notification is usually the presence of ‘end-organ damage’ or treatment-related risks. While high blood pressure is often asymptomatic, the way it affects your brain, eyes, and nervous system can make driving dangerous. In these cases, it is the complication, rather than the pressure reading itself, that triggers the legal requirement to report. 

Clinical causes for mandatory reporting include: 

• TIA or Stroke: Any cerebrovascular event triggered by high blood pressure must be reported. 

• Vision Loss: Hypertensive retinopathy that affects your ability to meet the ‘number plate test’ at 20 metres. 

• Dizziness (Vertigo/Syncope): If your medication causes you to feel faint or lose consciousness. 

• Aortic Aneurysm: If high blood pressure has caused a significant widening of the main artery. 

Triggers for License Review 

Certain events act as triggers that should prompt an immediate check of your ‘fitness to drive’ status. For example, if your doctor changes your medication and you begin to feel lightheaded when turning your head or looking at mirrors, this is a trigger for a clinical review and potentially a DVLA notification. 

Trigger	Action Required
Stage 3 Hypertension	Group 2 must stop driving and tell DVLA; Group 1 should consult a GP immediately.
New Dizziness/Fainting	Stop driving until a GP confirms the cause is not a risk to road safety.
Related Heart Event	Report heart attacks or ‘angina while driving’ to the DVLA.
Eye Injection/Surgery	If hypertension causes eye damage requiring treatment, check your vision meets legal standards.

Differentiation: Hypertension vs. Malignant Hypertension 

It is important to differentiate between standard hypertension and ‘Malignant’ (or Accelerated) Hypertension. Standard hypertension is managed over years, but Malignant Hypertension is a medical emergency that involves a sudden, very high spike in pressure often accompanied by confusion or chest pain. 

• Standard Hypertension: Generally does not affect a Group 1 license; managed with daily tablets and routine checks. 

• Malignant/Emergency Hypertension: Requires immediate hospitalisation. You must not drive until the condition is stabilised and your doctor confirms it is safe to return to the road. 

• Side Effects vs. Condition: Often, it is the medication (e.g., first-dose dizziness from Alpha-blockers) that requires you to stop driving temporarily, rather than the high blood pressure itself. 

Conclusion 

For most UK drivers, high blood pressure is a manageable condition that has no impact on their driving license. However, if you are a professional driver or if your hypertension leads to more serious health complications, the law is very clear about your duty to disclose. Being proactive and honest with the DVLA not only keeps you on the right side of the law but ensures that you are not putting yourself or other road users at risk during a medical emergency. 

If you experience severe, sudden symptoms such as a sudden severe headache, confusion, weakness on one side of the body, or chest pain while driving, pull over safely as soon as possible and call 999 immediately. 

You may find our free BMI Calculator helpful for monitoring your overall health, as weight management is a key factor in bringing blood pressure down to DVLA-approved levels for Group 2 drivers. 

Authority Snapshot 

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and extensive experience in cardiology, internal medicine, and emergency care. It examines the legal requirements for disclosing high blood pressure to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), adhering to GOV.UK, NHS, and DVLA ‘Assessing Fitness to Drive’ clinical standards. Our goal is to provide a clear, evidence-based guide to help you understand your responsibilities as a driver and ensure your license remains valid.