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Driving offences included in the High Risk Offender (HRO) category

You will fall into the HRO category if you have had:

• one disqualification for driving, or being in charge of a vehicle, when the level of alcohol in the body is equal to, or more than, 200 milligrams in 100 millilitre of blood; or 87.5 micrograms in 100 millilitre of breath; or 267.5 milligrams in 100 millilitre of urine
• two disqualifications within the space of 10 years for exceeding the legal limit, or being unfit to drive because of drink
• one disqualification for refusing or failing to supply a breath, blood or urine sample for testing

Courts don’t automatically tell you when you have become a HRO as a result of a drink-drive offence.

You are not in the HRO category - getting your licence back

If you don’t fall into the HRO category, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will send you a D27 application form to renew your driving licence. You will receive this 56 days before your disqualification ends. For further information on getting your driving licence back, follow the link below.

• Getting your driving licence back after disqualification

You are in the HRO category - getting your licence back

If you are in the HRO category you’ll have to show a DVLA medical advisor you are fit to drive before you get your driving licence back. This means that you’ll need to have a medical examination with one of DVLA’s appointed doctors in your area.

DVLA will send you a D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’ form 90 working days before your disqualification ends. If you change address while you are disqualified, you must tell DVLA or you won’t receive your D1 application form.

How to get a D1 application form - cars and motorcycles

If you do not receive form D1 in the post you will need to get one from DVLA's online form ordering service or from Post Office branches. Send your completed application form to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DL.

• DVLA form ordering service Opens new window

How to get a D2 application form – lorries and buses

If you do not receive form D2 in the post you will need to get one from DVLA's online form ordering service or from Post Office branches. If your D4 ‘Medical examination report’ has expired you will need to fill in another one. Send your completed application form to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DL

Your entitlement to drive lorries, minibuses or buses is valid until your 45th birthday. After the age of 45, you’ll need to renew your entitlement every five years until you are 65. To renew your entitlement you will need to ask a doctor to fill in a D4 medical examination report for you. After the age of 65 a D4 medical examination report is needed every year.

• DVLA form ordering service Opens new window

• Download 'Medical examination report D4' (PDF, 211K)

• Download 'Medical examination report D4 information and guidance' (INF4D) (PDF, 287K)

• Help with PDF files

Your medical examination with a DVLA appointed doctor

Once DVLA has received your driving licence application, DVLA will write to tell you which doctor to contact for your medical examination.

The medical examination will include:

• completing medical questionnaires about your medical history and use of alcohol
• a physical examination
• blood tests

The cost of your medical examination

You will have to pay the doctor for your medical examination. Doctors registered for VAT will also charge VAT on top of the examination fee. DVLA will advise you of the cost of the examination when you are sent the D1 application form.

The cost of your new driving licence

When applying for your new driving licence with DVLA you will need to include the correct fee. For an up-to-date list of driving licence fees, follow the link below.

• The cost of a driving licence

Existing health conditions that may affect your driving

If you have a health condition that may affect you driving safely you will need to tell DVLA when re-applying for your driving licence. You can search the DVLA A to Z to find your health condition and the correct questionnaire that you’ll need to fill in.

• Health Conditions that may affect your safe driving

You should complete the medical questionnaire and the relevant application form and send them to DVLA, Drivers Medical Group, Swansea, SA99 1DL.

How to change your name and address while disqualified

You must tell DVLA about a change of name and address while you’re disqualified. To do this write to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB giving details of your:

• old and new address
• name (if changed)
• driving licence number (if known)
• date of birth

Further information on applying for your driving licence after disqualification

For further information on applying for your driving licence after disqualification, download the DVLA information leaflet INF212/1.

• Download 'How to apply for your driving licence after disqualification for a drink/drive offence - INF212/1’ (PDF, 248K)

• Help with PDF files