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Anyone taking one of these three prescription meds could be banned from driving

Home> News

Updated 12:17 25 Jul 2025 GMT+1Published 11:59 25 Jul 2025 GMT+1

Anyone taking one of these three prescription meds could be banned from driving

A car insurance expert has issued an urgent warning to motorists, according to DVLA guidelines

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

A warning has now been issued to anyone taking one of three specific prescription medications which could mean they are banned from driving.

Greg Wilson, founder of car insurance specialists at Quotezone, has cautioned such individuals to 'avoid driving' altogether, as they could face severe consequences if found driving under the influence of such meds.

"If you are on strong medications, it is likely that you will be recommended to avoid driving," he urged.

‌Road safety charity, Brake, told Birmingham Live "Many prescription and over-the-counter medications impair ability to drive safely, for instance causing drowsiness, affecting reaction times, coordination, concentration or vision."

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The experts went on to add that warnings on medication can be 'vague or in small print only', noting: "They may indicate there is a risk of impairment but not relate it to driving.

"They may leave it to the user to judge their own level of impairment (which can be hard)."

You shouldn't drive while taking some medication (Getty Stock images)
You shouldn't drive while taking some medication (Getty Stock images)

But what are these three medications?

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Well, Greg maps out that they include opioid painkillers, tranquillisers, and certain antidepressants, as well as medications 'that cause drowsiness or say 'do not operate heavy machinery''.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has highlighted that it is illegal in England, Scotland and Wales to drive with legal drugs in your body if it impairs your driving.

If caught, you could be banned from driving (Photo by Meghan Nash / Getty Images)
If caught, you could be banned from driving (Photo by Meghan Nash / Getty Images)

As a driver, you are only permitted to get behind the wheel after consuming such medications if they have been prescribed to you, you've adhered to a healthcare professional's advice on their usage or if they do not render you unfit to drive even if you exceed the specified limits.

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However, as Gov.uk notes, you could be fined up to as much as £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving as you can be prosecuted if you are involved in an accident as a result.

(Peter Dazeley / Getty Images)
(Peter Dazeley / Getty Images)

The official website for the UK government recommends that motorists talk to their doctor about whether or not you should drive if you’ve been prescribed any of the following drugs:

  • amphetamine, for example dexamphetamine or selegiline
  • clonazepam
  • diazepam
  • flunitrazepam
  • lorazepam
  • methadone
  • morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, for example codeine, tramadol or fentanyl
  • oxazepam
  • temazepam

The law does not cover Northern Ireland but you could still be arrested if you are deemed unfit to drive, Gov.uk adds.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock images

Topics: Advice, Crime, Health, Life, Mental Health, UK News

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

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