British drivers diagnosed with a sleep condition are being urged to check if they need to report it to the UK driving authority.
Certain sleep conditions must be declared to the DVLA and motoring experts from Quotezone.co.uk are warning drivers to check their obligations or risk a £1,000 fine.
This comes as Google searches for terms such as “ways to help sleeping” have risen 101% year on year. Searches for “sleep deprivation” are also up 96% from the previous quarter, while “need help sleeping” increased 7% in the last month alone.
Disorders like sleep apnoea and narcolepsy can cause excessive sleepiness, which can be dangerous when it comes to operating vehicles.
Sleep apnoea causes repeated interruptions in a person’s breathing during sleep. These interruptions, called apnoeas, can last for several seconds and may occur multiple times per hour, disrupting sleep and triggering brief awakenings throughout the night.
Frequent awakenings reduce the total amount of time spent in deep sleep and REM sleep, which are crucial for repairing the body and restoring energy. As a result, it can cause excessive sleepiness, which can be dangerous whilst driving and therefore must be reported to the DVLA.
Narcolepsy is another disruptive sleep condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the day. It is caused by the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. Drivers diagnosed with narcolepsy must inform the DVLA.
Excessive sleepiness means that sufferers have difficulty concentrating and find themselves falling asleep, for example while at work, watching television or even when driving.
The official advice is that people must not drive until they’re free from excessive sleepiness or until the symptoms are under control and are strictly following any necessary treatment plans.
This can also have a knock-on effect on car insurance policies. Insurers expect drivers to comply with DVLA requirements, so failing to disclose a sleep disorder that affects driving may invalidate an insurance policy.
If a driver is involved in an accident caused by falling asleep or reduced concentration due to a poorly managed sleep disorder, the insurer may refuse to pay out or cancel the policy altogether – the driver may even be prosecuted.
Even when a condition is disclosed, some insurers may adjust premiums or apply conditions depending on how well the condition is managed.
Fortunately, it’s quick and straightforward for drivers to report medical conditions to the DVLA by using its official online service.
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “Sleep related medical conditions can have serious implications for road safety, so it’s vital that drivers follow DVLA guidance.
“If you’re diagnosed with a condition that causes excessive sleepiness, you must inform the DVLA before getting behind the wheel.
“From an insurance perspective, failing to disclose a medical condition that affects your ability to drive could be considered non-disclosure. That means your policy could be invalidated or a claim refused if you’re involved in an accident linked to the condition.
“Even when a condition is reported, insurers may need evidence that it’s being properly managed through medication or another regular treatment.
“Ultimately, transparency is key. Keeping both the DVLA and your insurer informed protects you legally and ensures you’re covered on the roads.”
