Category D1 licence rules changed almost 30 years ago, when the EU Second Driving Licence Directive removed automatic entitlement to Category D1(101) for Category B (car) licence holders.

Category D1(101) allows licence holders to drive minibuses when operated on a not for hire or reward basis. There are also more limited circumstances in which a minibus can be driven on a Category B driving licence.

The community transport sector reports that they are seeing an increase in the shortage of minibus drivers as those with D1(101) licences retire. However, despite the previous Government’s Call for Evidence in 2022, no evidence was provided that road safety would not be compromised by a relaxation of the licencing requirements.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recognises the importance of timely access to practical driving tests for learner drivers across the country, and the role this plays in supporting employment, education, and mobility particularly where public transport is limited.

The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times. In the 12 months to September 2026, DVSA conducted more than 2.16 million tests, the highest rolling 12-month figure on record.

So far in 2026/27, the average number of working days to make a licensing decision in medical cases is 62.3 working days.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sends reminders for vocational licences and ten-year photocard licence renewals 56 days before the licence is due to expire. For those renewing their licence at the age of 70 and those renewing a short-period medical licence, reminders are sent 90 days before the licence is due to expire.

The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. Applications that require medical investigation can often take longer to process, as they depend on the nature of the condition(s) involved and whether further information is required from third parties, such as doctors or other healthcare professionals, before a licensing decision can be made.

To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its driver’s medical function and has launched a new casework system which will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. The DVLA has also launched a new digital medical services portal which supports applications relating to around 1,600 medical conditions. Further enhancements for customers applying for a provisional licence and those renewing at the age of 70 or over were made recently.

The DVLA will write to the driver or applicant to advise them of any action taken on their case, for example where medical information is required from the driver or their healthcare professional. As part of a project, the DVLA has recently begun trialling text messaging to drivers who have consented to receiving updates by that method.

These enhancements, alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with applications will deliver real improvements in services and turnaround times for customers.

So far in 2026/27, the average number of working days to make a licensing decision in medical cases is 62.3 working days.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sends reminders for vocational licences and ten-year photocard licence renewals 56 days before the licence is due to expire. For those renewing their licence at the age of 70 and those renewing a short-period medical licence, reminders are sent 90 days before the licence is due to expire.

The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. Applications that require medical investigation can often take longer to process, as they depend on the nature of the condition(s) involved and whether further information is required from third parties, such as doctors or other healthcare professionals, before a licensing decision can be made.

To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its driver’s medical function and has launched a new casework system which will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. The DVLA has also launched a new digital medical services portal which supports applications relating to around 1,600 medical conditions. Further enhancements for customers applying for a provisional licence and those renewing at the age of 70 or over were made recently.

The DVLA will write to the driver or applicant to advise them of any action taken on their case, for example where medical information is required from the driver or their healthcare professional. As part of a project, the DVLA has recently begun trialling text messaging to drivers who have consented to receiving updates by that method.

These enhancements, alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with applications will deliver real improvements in services and turnaround times for customers.

Straightforward applications for vocational driving licences are being processed within normal turnaround times of ten working days.

Applications where a medical condition must be assessed before a licence can be issued can take longer to process as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is often dependent on information from third parties, including medical professionals before a licence can be issued.

While the DVLA plans to enhance the online services available for vocational drivers given the clear advantages for both the DVLA and drivers in doing so, there are no current timescales available.

Driver licensing is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. We are aware that Northern Ireland is introducing a Graduated Driving Licensing scheme from 1 October 2026.

My officials meet regularly with their counterparts in the Devolved Governments, including those in Northern Ireland and I have asked my officials to keep me up to date on developments.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has seen sustained growth in the volume and complexity of driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated before a licence can be issued. The length of time taken to deal with an application often depends on the condition(s) involved and whether further information is required from third parties, for example doctors or other healthcare professionals, before a licence can be issued.

To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its Drivers Medical function and has launched a new casework system which will deliver significant improvements for drivers with medical conditions.

The DVLA also launched a new digital medical services portal for customers in March, which covers around 1600 medical conditions. This service has recently been enhanced allowing more drivers to apply online, including those renewing their licence at the age of 70, those applying for a provisional licence and those whose licences were previously surrendered a revoked.

These enhancements, alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with these applications, will deliver real improvements in services and turnaround times for customers.

Straightforward applications for vocational driving licences are being processed within normal turnaround times of ten working days.

Applications where a medical condition must be assessed before a licence can be issued can take longer to process as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is often dependent on information from third parties, including medical professionals before a licence can be issued.

While the DVLA plans to enhance the online services available for vocational drivers given the clear advantages for both the DVLA and drivers in doing so, there are no current timescales available.

The information requested is not held by the Department for Transport.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not hold full data for the number of people who repeat their CBT course, however, some analysis was conducted for inclusion in the recent ‘Improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing’ consultation.

This analysis evidences that, between March 2023 and March 2025, 77,000 learner riders repeated their CBT course, indicating that they have not gained a full motorcycle licence. This equates to 23% of the total certificates issued in that period which total 384,000.

More information on the consultation can be found on GOV.UK. Information on CBT certificate validity can be found in Topic 6 of the consultation.

The number of DL196 certificates issued to approved training body’s (ATB) is a published statistic and can be found in dataset INSO0203 on GOV.UK.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not hold full data for the number of people who repeat their CBT course, however, some analysis was conducted for inclusion in the recent ‘Improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing’ consultation.

This analysis evidences that, between March 2023 and March 2025, 77,000 learner riders repeated their CBT course, indicating that they have not gained a full motorcycle licence. This equates to 23% of the total certificates issued in that period which total 384,000.

More information on the consultation can be found on GOV.UK. Information on CBT certificate validity can be found in Topic 6 of the consultation.

The number of DL196 certificates issued to approved training body’s (ATB) is a published statistic and can be found in dataset INSO0203 on GOV.UK.

The table below shows the average number of working days taken to process medical driving licence applications for both group 1 (car and motorcycle) and group 2 (lorry and bus) in July and August. This includes all applications, including renewals.

Data for June was set out in Question 17039 answered on 13 July 2026.

The Department for Transport does not hold information about the number of Ukrainian-qualified HGV drivers who are resident in the UK.