Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the consultation process prior to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) decision that drivers must disclose if they have an autistic spectrum disorder.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) formulates its guidance for drivers with medical conditions, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), in conjunction with the relevant honorary medical advisory panel. In this instance, an attempt by the DVLA to clarify the guidance caused confusion and concern. The advice for both drivers and medical professionals has now been amended to make clear that a driver who has an ASD only needs to tell the DVLA if the condition could affect their driving.

The DVLA has undertaken to engage fully with relevant stakeholders and the appropriate honorary medical advisory panel over the guidance for drivers with ASD.