Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will review section 88 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to give greater responsibility to medical professionals and less responsibility on insurance companies, for determining whether a person can legally drive.

Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 may allow driving licence applicants to continue driving while their application is being processed. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that they meet the criteria for driving under these provisions. The criteria is outlined here.

If a doctor or optician has advised a driver that they must not drive, they should stop driving with immediate effect. If a driver is in any doubt whether they are safe to drive, they should seek advice from their doctor or optician.

Insurance cover in these circumstances would be a matter between the driver and their insurance company.