A common medical condition not reported to DVLA could see hefty fines and potential prosecution (Image: Getty)
The DVLA has warned drivers they could face an eye-watering fine if they do not report suffering from a common medical condition.
Those who fail to report their high blood pressure will face serious consequences beyond just the £1,000 fine and includes a potential prosecution.
is a worrying condition which can make driving particularly dangerous.
This is because high blood pressure could lead to and including circulatory problems which are responsible for a quarter of all deaths in the UK.
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Not reporting your high blood pressure condition to the DVLA could see a fine of £1,000 (Image: Getty)
There are an estimated 14.4 million adults in the UK who have high blood pressure which equates to more than a quarter of the adult population.
Experts from BigWantsYourCar.com have warned drivers that they could face prosecution if their condition leads to an accident and said: “Failing to inform the DVLA about a medical condition like high blood pressure can lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
“This condition is important to report because it can suddenly impair your ability to drive safely, putting both you and others at risk.
“The DVLA’s regulations are in place to ensure that all drivers on the road are fit to operate their vehicles.”
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Having high blood pressure puts a person at risk of heart attacks which could be fatal (Image: Getty)
High blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, can be caused by a number of factors including being overweight, not exercising, eating a high-salt or high-fat diet, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking.
According to the , a person under 80 years of age will usually be considered to have high blood pressure if their reading is either 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional or 135/85 or higher when checked at home.
“Drivers who do not report high blood pressure to the DVLA are not just risking a fine—they could also face prosecution if their condition leads to an accident,” added .
“It’s really important to follow the DVLA’s guidelines, which require you to stop driving until a doctor confirms your blood pressure is under control and consistently below 180/110mmHg.
“If you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure, you must stop driving immediately and notify the DVLA by submitting form VOCH1.
“You need to make sure your condition is well-managed before getting back behind the wheel, as driving with untreated high blood pressure can have dangerous consequences.”
Other medical issues that must be declared to DVLA include diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and pacemakers, sleep apnoea, strokes, glaucoma, syncope (fainting) and visual impairments.
To report a medical condition to the DVLA, you can either check the Gov.uk website for a list of conditions that need to be reported or by contacting the DVLA by either email, call, webchat or by post.