DVLA could 'revoke' 10 million driving licences due to medical decision

The DVLA could revoke 10 million driving licences - because of a medical decision. 10 million British motorists could have their driving licences taken away due to a simple DVLA rule because of common medical conditions like poor eyesight, epilepsy, diabetes and heart conditions.

The Older Drivers Forum warns arthritis is another reason the DVLA could seize licences. The Older Drivers Forum said: “Arthritis (and other musculoskeletal conditions) can affect a driver's mobility and physical strength, motor skills and co-ordination.

“This can make it harder to use the vehicle's controls or, for example, to turn your head to maintain all round visibility.” The Older Drivers Forum added: “You only need to tell the DVLA that you have arthritis if you use special adaptive vehicle controls.

READ MORE: Drivers face £100 fines for 'removing their winter coats' due to DVLA rule

READ MORE: Mechanic issues warning to any driver with 'start stop' button in car

READ MORE 29 parts of England set for snow on Tuesday and Wednesday according to Met Office

“Consult your doctor or another health professional about driving and follow their advice. Consider whether a driving assessment or vehicle adaptations would make driving easier and safer for you.” Over 10 million people in the UK have arthritis. That's one in six people living with the pain, fatigue, immobility, and reduced dexterity it can cause.

Older Drivers Forum added: “A wide range of equipment is available including steering aids, hand controls, special cushions, swivel seats to help you get in and out of the car, hoists to lift you and your wheelchair if you use one, and driving accessories.”

If you have pain in or around a joint or joints that doesn’t go away after a few days, you should see a doctor. Finding out what’s causing your pain is key to finding the right treatment and self-help options. Although there’s no cure for arthritis, treatments have improved greatly in recent years and, for many types of arthritis, particularly inflammatory arthritis, there’s a clear benefit in starting treatment at an early stage.

It may be difficult to say what has caused your arthritis. There are several factors that can increase the risk of each type of arthritis. It could be that the genes you inherited from your parents or grandparents made you more likely to get arthritis.