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Most learner drivers in Great Britain with anxiety or depression do not need to tell the DVLA. Mild to moderate anxiety or depression is no bar to a car licence. Only severe illness, for example with marked concentration or memory problems, agitation or suicidal thoughts, means you must stop driving and tell the DVLA, and you can usually be relicensed after 3 months of being well and stable.
Car licence rules by condition
From the DVLA’s “Assessing fitness to drive” guidance for Group 1 (car) licences, as of November 2026:
| Condition | Tell the DVLA? | When a licence can be considered |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety or depression, mild to moderate | No | You may drive, as long as there are no significant memory or concentration problems, agitation, behavioural disturbance or suicidal thoughts. |
| Anxiety or depression, severe | Yes; must not drive | After 3 months well and stable, following agreed treatment, with no medicine side effects affecting alertness or concentration. |
| Acute psychotic episode | Yes; must not drive | After at least 3 months well and stable, with a favourable specialist report. |
| Schizophrenia | Yes; must not drive during acute illness | After 3 months stable, with a favourable specialist report. |
| Bipolar disorder, stable | Yes; must not drive during acute illness | After 3 months well and stable, with a favourable specialist report. |
| Bipolar disorder, unstable (4 or more significant mood episodes in 12 months) | Yes; must not drive | After 6 months well and stable, with a favourable specialist report. |
| Severe personality disorder | Yes | Licensing depends on whether it is likely to affect driving. |
For psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, a lack of insight that affects safe driving is a bar to a licence. For conditions not listed here, such as eating disorders or PTSD, look up the GOV.UK A to Z (“Check if a health condition affects your driving”) or ask your doctor.
Medicines that can affect driving
The DVLA guidance notes that medicines acting on the brain can affect alertness and concentration, especially when you start them or the dose goes up. Anyone who is affected must not drive. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam are on the drug-driving list with legal blood limits.
- Read the leaflet and ask your pharmacist whether a new medicine can make you drowsy.
- Book lessons for times of day when you feel most alert if your medicine makes you tired.
- The medical defence for prescribed drugs is explained in prescription medicines and driving.
Test nerves are not a notifiable condition
Feeling anxious before lessons or the test is common and is not something you report. The DVLA rules are about a diagnosed condition that affects your ability to drive safely. If nerves are the problem, see how to stay calm on test day.
Scenario
You were treated for depression last year and are now on a stable dose of an antidepressant. If your illness was mild to moderate and you have no side effects that affect your concentration, you do not need to tell the DVLA or declare it on your provisional licence application. If your doctor described it as severe, or you are not sure, ask your doctor before you apply.
Common questions
Do I have to tell my instructor?
There is no rule that you must. Telling them can help them pace lessons, but what you share is your choice.
Can I get support on the test?
Yes. GOV.UK asks you to mention a health condition when you book, and DVSA can make adjustments. See extra support for the theory and driving tests.
Back to the GB medical conditions and disability guide. Related: ADHD, autism and dyslexia, fitness to drive and telling the DVLA, sleep conditions and tiredness.
Sources
- DVLA, “Psychiatric disorders: assessing fitness to drive”, updated 7 November 2025 (gov.uk)
- DVLA, “Appendices: assessing fitness to drive”, updated 7 November 2025 (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Drugs and driving: the law” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Driving test: if you have a disability, health condition or learning difficulty” (gov.uk)