AQW 35705/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 18/11/2025
Answered On Date: 11/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the development of legislation to prevent those who have been deemed medically unfit to drive, from being able to do so.

Answer:

Whilst it has not been possible to develop legislation regarding medical fitness to drive due to a lack of resources and competing priorities, my officials have been keeping a watching brief on developments across Britain and Ireland in this area, including those on proposals for changes to vision standards, which are in the very early stages of consideration.

However, other measures have been taken to address the issue of fitness to drive, including the introduction of guidance on how to make a Source of Danger Notification on the NI Direct website. This initiative allows someone who knows a person with a medical condition or disability that affects their driving, to tell the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) by putting their concerns in writing. Such a notification gives the Department an opportunity to exercise its statutory powers to commence medical investigations, irrespective as to whether the licence holder has made any declaration concerning their health.

My Department also launched a social media campaign on 4 July to raise awareness around fitness to drive. The campaign was aimed at reminding drivers to ensure that all their driving information is up to date, including any relevant medical details. The second part of the campaign was aimed at encouraging consideration, conversation and reporting of concerns around Fitness to Drive. This aligns with the roll out of a revised policy and new NI Direct page on Notification of Source of Danger.

The DVA continues to work closely with key stakeholders to increase awareness and improve processes within the existing legislative framework. This includes a recent online webinar with GPNI, which covered a range of topics including fitness to drive.