Disputing a DVLA decision regarding your fitness to drive

While it is entirely understandable to feel frustrated or distressed by losing your license, general practice operates under strict rules regarding what falls under the NHS contract. NHS GP appointments are strictly reserved for diagnosing, managing, and treating acute or chronic illnesses. Administrative medical legal disputes cannot take precedence over patient care.

Dealing with DVLA fitness-to-drive paperwork, writing appeals letters, and providing medical licensing reports are therefore legally classified as private medical services. They are not covered by the NHS contract, meaning GPs are not contractually or legally required to do this work during standard NHS hours.

You do have a legal right to view your own medical records for free. You can formally request a copy of your records (Subject Access Request) from the surgery to see exactly what information was sent to the DVLA. If the report contains an objectively factual error, you can inform the administrative team of the error.

If you wish to speak to a doctor regarding your dispute, contact the surgery administrative team rather than a doctor. Ask to book a private medical review or request a private factual letter. You will be required to pay a private fee for the doctor’s time, which is standard practice across the UK. However please be aware under British Medical Association (BMA) guidelines, GPs are expressly advised that they cannot officially certify whether a patient is fit or unfit to drive and cannot over-rule the decision of the DVLA. Only the DVLA Drivers’ Medical Group holds the legal authority to make that determination. A GP’s role is strictly limited to providing factual data from your medical records if requested.