Declare A Fib to DVLA

[Yashen]

I have just come back to the UK from living in New Zealand. I can see in the UK there is a requirement to declare atrial fibrillation to DVLA if it affects driving. The words they use are “distracting or disabling symptoms” (or not able to safely stop or control the vehicle neither of which apply to me). Can I get some guidance please as to what people think is the level for needing to declare it. I am sure my atrial fibrillation distracts me a bit, but in my view not a lot! Thanks.

[Cliff_G]

Welcome back to Blighty. Interesting. My daughter permanently emigrated to NZ some years back and got past the bouncing Brit stage, and I only wish we could join her. Love NZ.

I've never felt my fib was bad enough to warrant reporting. If I was going dizzy or blacking out that would be a different matter. I've always felt the DVLA wording was such that you, the patient, have the best handle on what your ability was. I've never found an EP who really "gets" the extent and symptoms of my AF who could therefore decide better than I can on my ability to drive. Everyone is different, of course, but that's my view.

[Prince123456 in reply to Cliff_G]

Unless it’s effecting you that you cannot drive safely then I would not tell them,

[Buzby62]

You’ll find more opinions on a recent post here. Link: healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

Best wishes

[bikerider00]

Unless you think it is genuinely affecting your ability to drive safely, I wouldn't even think about telling them. You are just potentially opening up a big can of worms, so why risk it?

[BobD Volunteer]

Distracting or incapacitating sums it up. If neither then don't report. If you have short periods of syncope (fainting or passing out) of course that is different.

[Purplekatt]

I asked my EP this question, and he told me, No you do not, your symptoms are well controlled with medication and even when in afib. He said ”I am a panelist for the DVLA”, he said there is good information on the DVLA site… but maybe not, if up for interpretation(!) As the others have said, if your symptoms do not interfere with your ability to drive, no need to tell them.

[macmachugh]

I had a single instance of AF a couple of years ago which has not returned. I informed the DVLA with full details. I was advised this would not affect my driving licence. My view is that it is best to inform DVLA as to not do so could affect your insurance should an accident occur and AF found to be an influencing factor.

[Anothernewbie]

From your description there is no need for you to tell them. My episodes have never occurred anywhere than inside my home. I have not told them, because like you, my understanding is that I do not need to.

[lifford89]

I drive in the uk and was advised to inform the DVLA by my insurance company: my insurance company did not need to be informed. The information posted on the DVLA website can be conflicting. I informed the DVLA and have received a letter to say I am fine to drive but must inform them of any changes. Cover yourself in the event of an accident as insurance companies will look for any excuse.

[dogsneedwalking]

Hello there. Here is my experience. Back in 2020 I was initially diagnosed with SVT. At this time my heart rate would just shoot up with no warning and it really did make me feel awful. I remember driving as I wasn't diagnosed yet so just took the palpitations with a pinch of salt and merrily carried on my way to Tesco for some shopping. It was the shortest shopping trip I have ever had and as I lived in the country I had no option but to drive home. These episodes lasted minutes to hours but they didn't make me worry. I was taken into A and E where they diagnosed the SVT but I carried on as normal until I had one that lasted 9 hours and so the journey began. I was in so often that they said I'd used up all of their supply of Adenosine ha ha. In hindsight I, like many others, should have consulted my Cardiologist regarding driving but I called my local Surgery and spoke to a Doctor only to be told that 'I would have to inform DVLA' of my symptoms. I duly completed the required form, sent it off and several months later DVLA revoked my Licence to drive. I called back the Doctor rather upset and all knowledge of her telling me to do this was dismissed. I had my follow up appointment with Cardiologist up in Elgin and mentioned this to him and he was surprised that they had revoked it and it was still ok to drive. I had to move back to Aberdeen as I needed a car to get to work, left my job and settled into life using buses again. A year after I moved I re-applied but was refused yet again. I would point out at this time my condition was very 'unstable' even on Sotalol. I had an ablation in Aberdeen in 2023 where they picked up Afib to but sadly the ablation failed and hence my medication was changed to Amiodarone. I am hoping later this year to be 'signed off' by Cardiology and I will be re-applying again. I would, of course, take a refresher course just to familiarise myself again driving in a City. As a responsible, honest 62 year old back then I felt it was my duty to inform them, but, as everyone knows arrhythmias affect us all differently and some folk don't even know they are having them. Myself I feel everything. This wee story is in no way meant to judge anyone else driving with AFib but merely to say in hindsight I really should have asked Cardiology before I proceeded further with informing DVLA. I hope this helps you. Take care.

[quanglewangle]

Some of us get brachycardia and cardiac induced syncope that causes faints and blackouts - that's when the 'if' comes into play but hopefully anyone experiencing these situations would stop driving ( and also cross roads on foot autiously!) That is what I did but once my pacemaker was installed I could resume driving and also cross the road safely !!

[Redactrice]

I once had to pull off the road and call an ambulance due to an acute attack of AF, one of the most alarming I have ever had. I was taken away and spent the day on the cardiology ward (this was some years ago, when there was usually a bed available). The duty cardiologist would not discharge me to retrieve my car for 24hrs. He told me that if I had fainted he would, by law, have to inform the DVLA -- but I had not.

[Jajarunner]

Declare it even if no symptoms, that way you are covered

[Sixtychick]

I rang up the DVLA to tell them about my AFib and they said if it doesn’t affect your driving then it’s fine.

[2learn]

Hi, might depend on your need to drive so if its something you have to do everyday regardless and at certain times no one else can do it, its more risky. If I felt my AF was playing up I wouldn't drive I have that option.

Also DVLA stricter if you have sleep apnoea.