DVLA notification
What it means
It is the PATIENT'S legal duty to inform the DVLA of a relevant medical condition (e.g. epilepsy/seizure, certain cardiac/neurological/visual conditions). The doctor should advise them to stop driving and notify the DVLA. If the patient continues to drive against advice and cannot be persuaded to stop or notify, the doctor SHOULD inform the DVLA (a public-interest disclosure), telling the patient first.
Worked example
A patient who has had a seizure keeps driving despite advice; after trying to persuade him, the doctor informs the DVLA and tells the patient she has done so.
In the exam
A patient who must not drive after a first seizure continues to do so despite advice and refuses to tell the DVLA; the doctor considers informing the DVLA directly.
What settles it
The patient notifies the DVLA; the doctor steps in (with a public-interest disclosure) only if the patient won't stop/notify and poses a risk.
Classically confused with
Public-interest disclosure
Source: GMC / DVLA guidance