Depression and Driving Guidance

General information and official routes for transport workers with depression. DriverWell does not assess severity, treatment or fitness to drive.

No automated DVLA or fitness verdict
DriverWell cannot decide whether you are fit to drive or whether DVLA notification is required in your circumstances.

Current DVLA psychiatric guidance considers matters such as diagnosis, severity, symptoms, treatment, adherence, medication effects, significant impairment and licence group. Group 2 bus and lorry standards can differ from Group 1.

Use the current official guidance and seek individual advice from a GP, treating professional or DVLA medical enquiries. Do not rely on a DriverWell summary or symptom list for a legal decision.

Current DVLA guidance
Read the official psychiatric standards for Group 1 and Group 2 licences.
NHS information
Read current general information and routes to professional help.
Private wellbeing support
Use DriverWell for non-diagnostic reflection and signposting, not treatment or licensing advice.
Safety and treatment decisions

If symptoms, medication effects, sleep loss or distress make you unable to drive safely, do not start or continue driving. If you are already driving, stop somewhere safe before seeking help.

Treatment depends on the individual. Use NHS information and speak with a qualified professional rather than treating general website content as a recommendation for therapy, medication, exposure or return to work.

Urgent support

Call 999 if there is an immediate danger to life. For urgent mental health help that is not an immediate emergency, use NHS 111 and select the mental health option where available.