DVLA Cardiac Assessment: Driving With a Heart Condition
Heart assessment for driving and DVLA requirements
Arrange a consultant cardiology assessment to understand how your heart condition affects driving with Consultant Cardiologist Dr Salam Salloum (GMC 5209498).
If you have had a heart attack, stent, bypass, pacemaker, heart rhythm problem or another heart condition, or the DVLA or your employer has asked for medical evidence, we can assess your heart, explain the DVLA cardiac standards for your licence type and provide a clear written report.
Available UK-wide by video and telephone, and face to face in Peterborough and Corby. The DVLA makes the final decision about your licence.
£100-200
Do I need to tell the DVLA about a heart condition?
It depends on your condition and on the type of licence you hold. Some heart conditions mean you must tell the DVLA, some mean you must stop driving for a set time without telling the DVLA, and many do not affect driving once treated and stable.
The DVLA sets the medical standards for driving. You must tell the DVLA if a condition affects, or may affect, your ability to drive safely and is one that the DVLA lists as notifiable. Failing to do so can lead to a fine, and you may be prosecuted if you are involved in an accident as a result. You should also tell your motor insurer about any condition that you have reported to the DVLA.
You can check your condition on the official GOV.UK driving and medical conditions service. The summaries on this page are based on the DVLA guidance for medical professionals, Cardiovascular disorders: assessing fitness to drive, last updated on 7 November 2025. Rules change, so always check GOV.UK for the current position.
Group 1 and Group 2 licences: what is the difference?
Group 1 covers cars and motorcycles. Group 2 covers buses, coaches and lorries, and its standards are much stricter. For most cardiac conditions, Group 2 drivers must tell the DVLA and will usually need to meet extra requirements, such as an exercise or other functional test and a left ventricular ejection fraction (a measure of the heart’s pumping strength) of at least 40%.
Car and motorcycle (Group 1): the main heart rules
These are summaries and apply only if you have no other disqualifying condition.
- Angina: do not drive when symptoms occur at rest, with emotion or at the wheel. You may drive again once symptoms are satisfactorily controlled. You need not tell the DVLA.
- Heart attack (acute coronary syndrome): do not drive. You need not tell the DVLA. Driving may resume after 1 week if you had successful angioplasty (PCI), no further urgent procedure is planned and your ejection fraction was at least 40% before discharge. Otherwise the wait is 4 weeks.
- Planned angioplasty or stent: do not drive for at least 1 week. You need not tell the DVLA.
- Bypass surgery (CABG): do not drive for at least 4 weeks. You need not tell the DVLA.
- Heart rhythm problems (including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, SVT and heart block): do not drive if the problem has caused, or is likely to cause, incapacity such as fainting. Driving may resume 4 weeks after the cause has been identified and treated with no recurrence, and you must tell the DVLA.
- Catheter ablation: usually no driving for 2 days (4 weeks after VT ablation with impaired heart function or congenital heart disease). You need not tell the DVLA.
- Pacemaker: do not drive for 1 week after an implant or box change. You must tell the DVLA about a new pacemaker (not a box change) and keep up regular device checks.
- Implantable defibrillator (ICD): you must tell the DVLA. After an ICD fitted for a life-threatening rhythm problem, driving stops for 6 months. After a preventive ICD, the wait is 1 month if you have no symptoms. Shocks or other device treatments can lead to further restrictions.
- Heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy: you may drive if you have no symptoms, or if symptoms are stable and unlikely to distract you (NYHA class I to III), and you need not tell the DVLA. If you have symptoms at rest (class IV), you must stop driving and tell the DVLA.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: you may drive without telling the DVLA if you have no symptoms, or symptoms that do not cause incapacity. After fainting you must stop driving and tell the DVLA.
- Heart valve disease: you may drive without telling the DVLA. With aortic stenosis, you must stop and tell the DVLA if you have fainting, near-fainting or symptoms likely to affect safe driving. After valve surgery do not drive for 4 weeks (2 weeks after a keyhole-style transcatheter procedure).
- High blood pressure: you may drive and need not tell the DVLA, unless you have malignant hypertension (very high blood pressure with progressive organ damage), when you must not drive until it is controlled.
- Aortic aneurysm: you may drive and need not tell the DVLA if the aneurysm is under 6 cm. At 6.0 to 6.4 cm you must tell the DVLA, and at 6.5 cm or more you must stop driving and tell the DVLA.
- Long QT syndrome: you must stop driving and tell the DVLA if you have a history of fainting or torsades de pointes, or a corrected QT interval above 500 ms.
- Heart transplant: do not drive for at least 6 weeks after surgery. You need not tell the DVLA.
- Blackouts (loss of consciousness): these follow separate DVLA rules, and the time off driving depends on the cause. Get assessed before you drive again.
Bus, coach and lorry (Group 2): stricter rules
Group 2 standards are stricter because of the greater risk if a professional driver becomes unwell. Examples from the DVLA guidance include:
- Most cardiac conditions must be reported to the DVLA, including angina, heart attack, angioplasty, bypass surgery, pacemaker implantation, heart failure and significant rhythm problems.
- After a heart attack or angioplasty the licence is usually refused or revoked for at least 6 weeks, and for 3 months after bypass surgery. Relicensing needs an ejection fraction of at least 40% and an exercise or other functional test.
- An implantable defibrillator (ICD) is a permanent bar to Group 2 licensing.
- After a pacemaker implant, driving must stop for at least 6 weeks.
- Severe aortic stenosis means you must stop and tell the DVLA. Relicensing needs an exercise test and annual review.
- Resting blood pressure that is consistently 180 systolic or higher and/or 100 diastolic or higher means you must stop and tell the DVLA until it is controlled.
Group 2 licensing often relies on an exercise test or another functional test. An exercise ECG (treadmill test) is included in our DVLA cardiac assessment, and you need to be able to exercise on the treadmill for at least 9 minutes. We can advise which other tests the DVLA is likely to require, and some tests need a specialist cardiac testing facility.
When should I stop driving and get advice?
Stop driving and seek medical advice if you:
- Faint, or feel you are about to faint
- Have palpitations that make you dizzy or unwell
- Develop chest pain or tightness at the wheel or at rest
- Have breathlessness or any other symptom that distracts you from driving
- Have recently had a heart attack, stent, bypass, pacemaker or other procedure and the minimum period without driving has not passed
- Notice dizziness or drowsiness after starting a new heart medicine
Call 999 for severe or persistent chest pain, collapse, severe breathlessness, or sudden weakness, speech difficulty or vision changes. Do not drive yourself to hospital in an emergency.
What does a DVLA cardiac assessment involve?
- A review of your symptoms, medical history, medicines, records and the type of licence you hold (Group 1 or Group 2)
- Pulse and blood pressure measurement and, where you attend in person, a heart examination
- A 12-lead ECG, or review of an ECG you already have
- An echocardiogram (£360, charged separately) where the heart’s structure or pumping strength needs assessing
- A heart rhythm monitor if you have palpitations, dizziness or blackouts
- An exercise ECG (treadmill test), included in the assessment, to see how your heart responds to exercise. You need to be able to exercise on a treadmill for at least 9 minutes. The exercise ECG is charged separately from the consultation fee, at £475
- An exercise stress echo or other functional testing where this is indicated
- A clear written report explaining whether you meet the cardiac standards for your licence, what you need to tell the DVLA, and what follow-up is advised
The DVLA makes the final decision about your licence, and our report supports that process. Some DVLA requirements, such as specialist electrophysiology assessments, may need referral to another facility. We will tell you if this applies.
Choose how to arrange your assessment
Already have an ECG? Submit it for consultant review
Upload a recent ECG and Dr Salloum will review it and send a structured written report, typically within 24 hours. See professional ECG reporting.
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Need a full assessment? See Dr Salloum in personÂ
A 30-minute face-to-face consultation at The Hamptons Hospital, Peterborough, or Innovate Diagnostics, Corby, includes your history, examination, and a written summary letter.
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Prefer to talk it through remotely?
A telephone consultation or video consultation is available anywhere in the UK. Remote consultations are less suitable where a physical examination is important, for example if you have had fainting or a heart murmur is suspected, in which case an in-person appointment is advised.
Dr Salloum is recognised by several major insurers, but cover for assessments linked to driving varies, so please check with your insurer before booking.
Please note: the consultation fees quoted on this page do not include the exercise ECG, which is charged separately at £475, or an echocardiogram where one is needed, which is charged separately at £360.
How to tell the DVLA
As the licence holder, you are responsible for telling the DVLA about a notifiable condition. You can report it online through GOV.UK or by post using the relevant form. The DVLA may ask you to complete a medical questionnaire, request information from your doctors, or arrange further assessment. It may issue a short-term licence (usually one to three years) so that your condition can be reviewed.
In many cases you can carry on driving while the DVLA looks into your case, unless you have been told that you must stop, so check the GOV.UK guidance for your condition. These rules apply to licences issued by the DVLA in Great Britain. Northern Ireland licences are handled by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), which has its own forms.
Related services and guides
Important limitations
- The DVLA makes the final decision about your licence. Our assessment and report support, but do not replace, the DVLA’s own process.
- This page summarises DVLA guidance for general information and is not legal advice. The full standards contain further conditions and exceptions.
- Rules and notification requirements can change. Always check the current GOV.UK guidance.
- You are responsible for telling the DVLA and your insurer about notifiable conditions.
- Do not drive if you feel unwell, dizzy or about to faint, whatever the rules say for your condition.
This is not an emergency service. If you develop severe or persistent chest pain, marked breathlessness, collapse or another potentially life-threatening symptom, call 999 or attend the nearest emergency department.
Confidentiality and data handling
ECG files and clinical information are handled in accordance with professional confidentiality standards and applicable UK data-protection requirements.
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DVLA cardiac assessment FAQs
Do I have to tell the DVLA if I have had a heart attack?
If you hold a car or motorcycle licence (Group 1), you must not drive after a heart attack but you need not tell the DVLA. Driving may resume after 1 week if you had successful angioplasty, no further urgent procedure is planned and your ejection fraction was at least 40% before discharge. Otherwise the wait is 4 weeks. Bus, coach and lorry (Group 2) drivers must tell the DVLA.
Can I drive after a stent or angioplasty?
Car and motorcycle drivers must not drive for at least 1 week after a planned angioplasty or stent and need not tell the DVLA. Group 2 drivers must tell the DVLA and are usually relicensed only after at least 6 weeks, an ejection fraction of at least 40% and a satisfactory exercise or functional test.
Does the DVLA cardiac assessment include an exercise ECG?
Yes. An exercise ECG (treadmill test) is included in the assessment. It is charged separately at £475; the consultation fees quoted on this page do not include it. An echocardiogram, where needed, is also charged separately (£360). It records your heart rhythm and blood pressure while you exercise, and shows how your heart responds to effort. You need to be able to exercise on the treadmill for at least 9 minutes. Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. If you think you may not be able to manage this, tell us before you book so we can advise on the best way to assess you, for example with an exercise stress echo.
How much does a DVLA cardiac assessment cost?
The consultation fee depends on how you arrange it: £100 for a telephone consultation, £150 for a video consultation or £200 for a face-to-face consultation. The exercise ECG (treadmill test) is charged separately at £475. If an echocardiogram is needed, it is charged separately at £360. Your written report is included. We will confirm which tests you need and the total cost before you book.
Can I drive with atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation does not automatically stop you driving. You must stop if the rhythm problem has caused, or is likely to cause, incapacity such as fainting. Driving may resume 4 weeks after the cause has been identified and treated with no recurrence, and you must tell the DVLA in that situation.
Can I drive with a pacemaker?
Car and motorcycle drivers must not drive for 1 week after a pacemaker implant or box change. You must tell the DVLA about a new pacemaker but not about a box change, and you need regular device checks. Group 2 drivers must stop for at least 6 weeks.
Can I drive with an implantable defibrillator (ICD)?
You must tell the DVLA. For car and motorcycle drivers, driving stops for 6 months after an ICD fitted for a life-threatening rhythm problem and for 1 month after a preventive ICD if you have no symptoms. Shocks or other device treatment can lead to further restrictions. An ICD is a permanent bar to Group 2 licensing.
Can I drive with heart failure?
Car and motorcycle drivers with no symptoms, or with stable symptoms unlikely to distract them (NYHA class I to III), may drive and need not tell the DVLA. If you have symptoms at rest (class IV) you must stop and tell the DVLA. Group 2 rules are stricter and usually require an ejection fraction of at least 40%.
Can I drive if I have angina?
You must not drive when angina symptoms occur at rest, with emotion or at the wheel. You may drive again once symptoms are satisfactorily controlled, and car and motorcycle drivers need not tell the DVLA. Group 2 drivers must tell the DVLA and meet extra requirements.
Do I need to tell the DVLA about high blood pressure?
Not for ordinary high blood pressure if you hold a car or motorcycle licence. You must stop driving only if you have malignant hypertension, until it is controlled. Group 2 drivers must stop and tell the DVLA if resting blood pressure is consistently 180 systolic or higher and/or 100 diastolic or higher.
What happens after I tell the DVLA?
The DVLA may ask you to complete a medical questionnaire, request information from your doctors, or ask for further assessment or testing. It may issue a short-term licence, usually for one to three years, so your condition can be reviewed. The DVLA makes the final decision.
Can you tell the DVLA for me?
No. You, as the licence holder, are responsible for telling the DVLA. We provide a clear medical assessment and written report that you can share with the DVLA, your employer or your other doctors where appropriate.
Can the assessment be done remotely?
Yes, in many cases. ECG reporting, telephone and video consultations are available anywhere in the UK, and rhythm or blood pressure monitors can be posted to your home. An in-person appointment is advised where an examination is important, for example after fainting or if a heart murmur is suspected.