Sleep Apnoea Guidance

Education and routes to qualified assessment for the transport workforce

Sleep apnoea is a condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep. The NHS explains that obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common type. DriverWell provides general information and signposting. It does not diagnose sleep apnoea, score individual risk or decide fitness to drive.

If sleep is affecting your day

The NHS lists loud snoring, breathing that stops and starts, gasping or choking noises, waking often and daytime tiredness among possible symptoms. Having any of these signs does not diagnose sleep apnoea. Speak with a GP or other qualified healthcare professional if you are concerned.

If excessive sleepiness is affecting your ability to drive or work safely, do not use a website questionnaire to clear yourself. Follow your organisation's safety procedure, stop only at a safe place if you are already driving, and use the current official DVLA guidance with a qualified clinician for individual advice.

No DriverWell self-test
DriverWell does not offer a scored sleep questionnaire or individual risk result.

An online score cannot diagnose sleep apnoea or decide what is safe for an individual. The NHS condition guide explains the clinical assessment route and what may happen after a GP referral.

Professional assessment
A healthcare professional can consider symptoms, history and appropriate testing.

Diagnosis and treatment choices belong with qualified healthcare professionals. If you already have a care plan, follow that plan rather than a general website summary.

DVLA and driving
Notification requirements depend on symptoms, control and the licence group.

GOV.UK states that notification requirements can apply where obstructive sleep apnoea or another sleep condition causes excessive sleepiness. Use the current official route and a clinician for your own circumstances and licence group.

What DriverWell can provide

General education
Plain-language information to support an informed conversation with a qualified professional.
Professional signposting
Routes to NHS and official guidance without presenting DriverWell as a clinical service.
Clear boundaries
No diagnosis, treatment instruction, individual risk verdict, fitness decision or emergency monitoring.

DriverWell's scored sleep questionnaire remains unavailable. This guide is information and signposting only. It does not claim clinical, medical-device, DCB0129 or ORCHA approval.