Steering Clear of Fines: Key Updates the DVLA Need From You
DVLA Head Office, Swansea: Image Credit
As a taxi or private hire driver, you're not just navigating the roads; you're also navigating a maze of rules and regulations. Dealing with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is, unfortunately, a big part of this.
The DVLA requires you to keep them updated on certain changes in your circumstances. Failure to do so can result in substantial fines and even the loss of your licence.
In this article, we'll explore some of the key things you need to keep the DVLA updated about. First, we’ll take a look at changes to your vehicle and then changes in your personal circumstances.
Changes to Your Vehicle
As a professional driver, your vehicle is your livelihood. Any changes to it, therefore, are of utmost importance. Here are some key changes you must inform the DVLA about:
Vehicle Modifications: If you've made significant changes to your vehicle, such as altering the engine size or converting it to run on a different type of fuel, you need to inform the DVLA. These changes can affect your vehicle's insurance category and tax band. Failing to declare these changes could result in a fine, and your vehicle could even be clamped or impounded.
Vehicle Insurance: Every vehicle on the road must be insured. It's your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle's insurance is up to date. If the DVLA's records show that your vehicle is uninsured, you could face a fine of £100, and your vehicle could be clamped, seized, or even destroyed.
Vehicle Tax Status: Just like insurance, every vehicle must also be taxed. If your vehicle is off the road, you need to declare it as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). If you don't, you could face an automatic fine of £80.
Changes in Your Personal Circumstances
Your personal circumstances can have a significant impact on your ability to drive professionally. Here are some changes you must inform the DVLA about:
Change of Address or Name: Whether you've moved house, changed your name, or even just got a new phone number, you need to let the DVLA know. If you fail to update your details, you could miss important reminders and end up with a fine of up to £1,000.
Changes to Your Driving Licence: If you've passed your driving test, changed your vehicle category, or had any endorsements or penalty points added to your licence, you need to inform the DVLA. Failing to do so could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can affect your ability to drive safely. If you've been diagnosed with a condition like epilepsy, diabetes, or any other condition that could impact your driving, it's your responsibility to inform the DVLA. If you don't, you could face a fine of up to £1,000, and you may be prosecuted if you're involved in an accident as a result.
Medical Conditions
As mentioned above, medical conditions are one of the most important things the DVLA need to know about. As it stands, there are 112 different conditions that the DVLA deem necessary to know about.
Below we’ll look at some of these in more detail:
Diabetes: If you're a driver and you have diabetes, it's important to manage your condition carefully to ensure you're safe on the road. If you're insulin-dependent, you must inform the DVLA.
Epilepsy: If you have had a seizure or epilepsy, you must stop driving and notify the DVLA. The regulations around when you can start driving again can vary, so it's important to check the specific guidelines.
Heart Conditions: Certain heart conditions can affect your ability to drive safely. For example, if you've had a heart attack or angina, you must inform the DVLA.
Sleep Apnea: This condition, which causes interrupted sleep, can lead to daytime sleepiness and can affect your ability to drive safely. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you must inform the DVLA.
Vision and Eye Conditions: Any condition that affects your eyesight, including glaucoma in both eyes, or total loss of sight in one eye, must be reported to the DVLA.
Mental Health Conditions: Conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety can affect your ability to drive safely. If you have a mental health condition and it affects your driving, you must inform the DVLA.
Neurological Conditions: Conditions such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, or multiple sclerosis can affect your ability to control a vehicle. If you have a neurological condition, you must inform the DVLA.
Stroke: If you've had a stroke, you must inform the DVLA. You may need to stop driving temporarily while you recover, and you may need to undergo an assessment before you can drive again.
Physical Disabilities: If you have a physical disability that could affect your ability to drive safely, you must inform the DVLA. This could include conditions that affect your limbs, movement, or coordination.
Dementia: If you have been diagnosed with dementia, you must inform the DVLA. Depending on the progression of the condition, you may need to stop driving.
As a taxi or private hire driver, you're not just a driver; you're a business owner, a confidant, and a vital part of your community.
Your passengers trust you to get them to their destination safely and efficiently. By keeping the DVLA updated, you're not only protecting yourself from potential fines but also ensuring that you can continue to serve your community to the best of your ability.