DVLA may ‘ban’ drivers on any of three common medications

Drivers may effectively be “banned” from the roads by the DVLA if they are taking any of these three medications, according to experts.

GOV.UK warns driving under the influence of prescription medicines can be just as serious as illegal drugs. They stress that road users should make sure to talk to their doctor if they have been prescribed any medications.

Greg Wilson, founder of car insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk stressed road users on opioid painkillers, tranquillisers or antidepressants could be caught out.

Specialists warned road users will be recommended to “avoid driving” if they are found to be under the influence of these medications even if they have been prescribed.

Greg explained: “If you are on strong medications, it is likely that you will be recommended to avoid driving.

“Opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and certain antidepressants are examples of medicines that can affect driving ability – as well as those that cause drowsiness or say ‘do not operate heavy machinery.”

GOV.UK stressed there was a much bigger list of potential medications and drugs that could become a serious issue.

They warned that anyone prescribed amphetamines such as dexamphetamine or selegiline should also speak to a health professional before driving.

They also warn that those on clonazepam, diazepam, flunitrazepam, and lorazepam could also be affected. Finally, those prescribed methadone or morphine, oxazepam or temazepam should speak to experts.

GOV.UK said: “It’s illegal in England, Scotland and Wales to drive with legal drugs in your body if it impairs your driving. It’s an offence to drive if you have over the specified limits of certain drugs in your blood and you have not been prescribed them.”

Officials stressed that drivers could be prosecuted if road users drive with certain levels of drugs in their body. Penalties for drug driving include a minimum one-year driving ban and an unlimited fine. Officials stress that a conviction for drug driving would also lead to a significant increase in car insurance costs.

Road safety campaigners at Brake previously wrote: “Many prescription and over-the-counter medications impair ability to drive safely, for instance causing drowsiness, affecting reaction times, coordination, concentration or vision.

“Warnings on medication can be vague or in small print only. They may indicate there is a risk of impairment but not relate it to driving. They may leave it to the user to judge their own level of impairment (which can be hard).”