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Atrial fibrillation and driving

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Arrhythmias include:

  • sinoatrial disease
  • significant atrioventricular conduction defect
  • atrial flutter/fibrillation
  • narrow or broad complex tachycardia

Note:

  • transient Arrhythmias occurring during acute coronary syndromes do not require assessment under this Section

Regarding group 1 entitlement:

  • Must not drive if arrhythmia has caused or is likely to cause incapacity.
  • Driving may resume without DVLA notification only after:
    • underlying cause has been identified
    • arrhythmia is controlled for at least 4 weeks
  • Must notify the DVLA if there are distracting or disabling symptoms and/or arrhythmia is not controlled for at least 4 weeks, and an underlying cause has not been identified.

Regarding group 2 entitlement:

  • Must notify the DVLA.
  • Must not drive if arrhythmia has caused or is likely to cause incapacity.
  • Licence will be refused or revoked.
  • May be relicensed/licensed (provided there is no other disqualifying condition) only after:
    • underlying cause has been identified
    • arrhythmia has been controlled for at least 3 months
    • LV ejection fraction is at least 40%.

Up-to-date guidance may be obtained from the publication "At a Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive" and the website www.dvla.gov.uk

Reference:

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