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The DVLA has queried whether costs associated with medical investigations should be \u201cpaid by taxpayers and the DVLA\u201d.<\/p>\n
Officials have also asked road users whether it would be \u201cappropriate for the individual customer to pay for medical investigations\u201d.<\/p>\n
The questions were detailed in a DVLA call for evidence regarding driving licensing for people with medical conditions.<\/p>\n
The report reads: \u201cCompleting DVLA\u2019s medical questionnaires is not part of the NHS contract so DVLA pays NHS healthcare professionals for completing each questionnaire\u2026 The law provides that DVLA shall pay any fees associated with medical investigations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis includes paying a fee for the completion of each medical condition specific questionnaire, eyesight tests, drugs and alcohol screening tests (unless under HRO legislation) and examinations.<\/p>\n
DON’T MISS <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n \u201cThis reflects not only an increasing number of drivers with multiple health conditions but the complexity of those conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n A chart clearly shows how processing costs have dramatically increased since 2010. In 2015, the DVLA was spending around \u00a315million on medical investigations with a bumper rise in 2016-17 and 2017-18.<\/p>\n Spending averaged out for 2018-19 but rose again the following year ahead of the pandemic. It means the total costs of sorting out medical applications will soon be pushing \u00a325million per annum.<\/p>\n The report added: \u201cThe costs associated with gathering information to assess if an individual can meet the appropriate medical standards for driving has almost doubled in the last 10 years, from approximately \u00a310million to around \u00a320million per year.\u201d<\/p>\n Anyone can have their say on the issue until the consultation closes on October 22.<\/p>\n Evidence can be submitted online through the DVLA\u2019s Snap Survey system or posted to their headquarters in Swansea.<\/p>\n
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