Drivers warned about sleep conditions they must report to DVLA
Living with a sleep condition can have certain knock-on impacts, but drivers are being urged to check if they also need to report it to the DVLA.
It turns out certain sleep conditions must be declared by road users - and not doing so could risk a £1,000 fine.
According to GOV.UK there are over 100 medical conditions which need to be reported by drivers, including some lesser-known sleep disorders, as these could impact your ability to effectively get behind the wheel.
Sleep disorders like sleep apnoea and narcolepsy can cause excessive sleepiness, which can be dangerous when it comes to operating vehicles.
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that causes repeated interruptions in a person’s breathing during sleep. These interruptions, called apnoeas, can last for several seconds and may occur multiple times per hour, disrupting sleep and triggering brief awakenings throughout the night.
Frequent awakenings decrease the total amount of time spent in deep sleep and REM sleep, which are crucial for restorative rest. As a result, the condition can cause excessive sleepiness, which can be dangerous whilst driving and therefore must be reported to the DVLA.
Narcolepsy is another disruptive sleep condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the day. It is caused by the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally.
As well as sleep apnoea, you must also tell the DVLA if you have narcolepsy.
"Excessive sleepiness means that you have had difficulty concentrating and have found yourself falling asleep, for example while at work, watching television or even when driving," a spokesperson from Winstons Beds explains.
The official advice is that you must not drive until you’re free from excessive sleepiness or until your symptoms are under control and you’re strictly following any necessary treatment.
"You must also tell the DVLA if you are diagnosed with a condition that affects your sleep and causes excessive sleepiness," the spokesperson continues. "You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that might affect your driving."
Fortunately, it’s quick and easy for drivers to report their medical conditions online.
“Sleep conditions such as sleep apnoea and narcolepsy can severely impair a person’s ability to drive safely due to excessive daytime sleepiness," the spokesperson continues.
“It’s imperative for those diagnosed with such conditions to inform the DVLA. This is not only a legal obligation but a crucial step to ensure both their own safety and the safety of others on the road.
"Symptoms like excessive sleepiness mean you could potentially fall asleep while driving, posing a significant risk."
But by reporting your condition, you enable the authorities to make informed decisions about your ability to drive, which might include restrictions or required treatments to help manage your symptoms.
“Taking these steps not only helps you adhere to the law but also promotes safer driving practices," the expert adds.
"Remember, managing your sleep disorder effectively can significantly reduce the risks associated with excessive sleepiness, ensuring safer roads for everyone.”
What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, which happens if your airways become too narrow, with the most common type called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Symptoms mainly happen while you sleep and can include, as listed by the NHS:
breathing stopping and starting
making gasping, snorting or choking noises
waking up a lot
loud snoring
However, they can also happen during the day, which can include:
feeling very tired
finding it hard to concentrate
having mood swings
having a headache when you wake up
Sleep apnoea can be serious if it goes undiagnosed and untreated.
To get tested for the condition, your GP might refer you to a specialist sleep clinic where you may be given devices that check things like your breathing and heartbeat while you sleep.
While sleep apnoea does not always need to be treated if it's mild, many people do need to use a device called a CPAP machine.
This gently pumps air into a mask you wear over your mouth or nose while you sleep, according to the NHS. It can help improve your breathing while you sleep by stopping your airways from getting too narrow, improving the quality of your sleep and helping you feel less tired. It can also reduce the risk of problems linked to sleep apnoea (like high blood pressure).
Other less common treatments could include a 'gum shield-like device' that holds your airways open while you sleep (called a mandibular advancement device). Or, in some cases you could have surgery, like removing large tonsils, to help with breathing.
If your sleep apnoea is mild, lifestyle changes can help, such as sleeping on your side, losing weight if you need to, not smoking, not drinking too much and not taking sleeping pills unless recommended by a doctor (as these can make the condition worse).
See a doctor if you have symptoms of sleep apnoea, especially problems with your breathing while sleeping, making noises while you seep and feeling tired.
What is narcolepsy?
According to the NHS narcolepsy is a rare long-term brain condition that can prevent a person from choosing when to wake or sleep.
The brain is unable to regulate sleeping and waking patterns normally, which can result in:
excessive daytime sleepiness
sleep attacks – falling asleep suddenly and without warning
cataplexy – temporary loss of muscle control resulting in weakness and possible collapse
sleep paralysis – a temporary inability to move or speak when waking up or falling asleep
excessive dreaming and waking in the night
If you think you may have narcolepsy it is recommended you visit your GP who may ask about your sleeping habits and any other symptoms you have.
While there's currently no cure for narcolepsy, making changes to improve your sleeping habits and taking medicine could help minimise the impact the condition has on your daily life.
Read more about sleep conditions
As Roman Kemp shares diagnosis and 'extreme tiredness' – what is sleep apnoea? (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Student with narcolepsy to run 70km for charity (PA, 3-min read)
NHS explains exactly how many hours of sleep you need to feel well rested (Wales Online, 2-min read)
