§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list the specific physical handicaps that disqualify a driver from applying for a provisional licence; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeA driving licence cannot be granted to anyone who is suffering from a disability prescribed in the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1976 or from any other disability likely to make driving dangerous. The disabilities prescribed in the regulations relate to uncontrolled epilepsy, severe subnormality, mental deficiency, liability to sudden attacks of giddiness or fainting, and poor eyesight. Under the Heavy Goods Vehicles (Drivers' Licences) Regulations 1977 applicants for heavy goods vehicle provisional driving licences must hold an ordinary driving licence and must not have had an epileptic attack after the age of 3. Other aspects of medical fitness to drive are considered in the light of the standards recommended by the medical commission on accident prevention.