What to bring

Heart rhythm, pacemaker, ICD, heart failure or valves

Anyone with an irregular heartbeat (such as atrial fibrillation), a pacemaker, an implanted defibrillator (ICD), heart failure, a weak heart muscle, or heart valve disease or surgery.

You must bring

  • Your latest heart clinic letter.
  • Your latest heart scan (echo) result showing the ejection fraction (LVEF).
  • If you have a pacemaker: your pacemaker clinic check letter with the implant date.

What the DVLA says (Group 2 standard, used for D4 and taxi medicals)

  • An implanted defibrillator (ICD) is a permanent bar to bus and lorry licences. Please contact us before booking.
  • After a pacemaker is fitted, you must not drive a bus or lorry for at least 6 weeks and must tell the DVLA.
  • Heart failure and a weak heart muscle need an ejection fraction of at least 40% for a bus or lorry licence.
  • After heart valve surgery, a bus or lorry licence is refused for 3 months.

Taxi and private hire medicals use this same Group 2 standard in most councils. Source: DVLA, Assessing fitness to drive.

Why we ask

These results decide several answers on the form. Bringing them means the form can be completed on the day.

Contact us before you book

With this condition the rules are strict. A two-minute chat can save you a wasted £45.

This page explains the DVLA standard in plain English. It is not a decision about you. The doctor decides what can be signed on the day, and your council or the DVLA makes the licensing decision.