Schedule 10: Regulation of the use of roads and railways Part 1: Duration of driving licences to be granted to drivers with relevant or prospective disabilities
683.Under section 99(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the Secretary of State may issue a driving licence to a person appearing to him to be suffering from a relevant or prospective disability for a period of not more than three years and not less than one year. A relevant or prospective disability for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act means a medical condition that could now, or may in the future, affect the ability of a person to drive safely.
684.Paragraph 2 increases the period for which a driving licence for drivers suffering from a relevant or prospective disability can be granted from a maximum of three years to a maximum of ten years. The maximum reduces to three years once a person has reached the age of 67.
685.Licences issued to bus or lorry drivers suffering from a relevant or prospective disability will continue to be subject to a maximum of three years.
686.Under section 100(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, an individual may appeal against a decision of the Secretary of State under section 99(1)(b) to grant a licence for three years or less. A consequential amendment to that section in paragraph 3 enables an individual to appeal against a decision of the Secretary of State to grant a licence for ten years or less (or three years or less in the case of those over 67).
687.These amendments form part of the law of England and Wales and Scotland and come into force at the end of the period of 2 months beginning with the day on which the Act is passed.