Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) affects your driving because of the daytime sleepiness it causes. The rules below come from GOV.UK: excessive sleepiness and driving, read on 14 October 2026.
When you must tell the DVLA
GOV.UK says you must tell the DVLA if you have:
- confirmed moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome with excessive sleepiness
- narcolepsy, cataplexy, or both
- any other sleep condition that has caused excessive sleepiness for at least 3 months, including suspected or confirmed mild OSA
The severity bands come from your sleep study. The NHS classes an apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) of 5–14 as mild, 15–30 as moderate and over 30 as severe.
| Your situation | Tell the DVLA? |
|---|---|
| Moderate or severe OSA with excessive sleepiness | Yes |
| Mild OSA, or suspected OSA, with excessive sleepiness for 3 months or more | Yes |
| Snoring or a diagnosis without excessive sleepiness | Not under the conditions GOV.UK lists. Ask your doctor if unsure |
When you must stop driving
You must not drive until you’re free from excessive sleepiness, or until your symptoms are under control and you’re strictly following any necessary treatment. GOV.UK suggests asking your doctor if you’re not sure whether your sleepiness affects your driving.
For most people with moderate or severe OSA, the treatment is CPAP. The NHS says you’ll get a CPAP machine free on the NHS if you need one.
How to tell the DVLA
| Licence | How to report |
|---|---|
| Car or motorcycle | Online, or form SL1 by post |
| Bus, coach or lorry | Form SL1V by post |
The address is on each form.
Penalties
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell the DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.
While you wait for a sleep study
Until your sleepiness is assessed and controlled, the GOV.UK rule still applies: if you are excessively sleepy, don’t drive. GOV.UK points drivers to its “Tiredness can kill” guidance on driving while tired.
The verdict
If you are excessively sleepy, tell the DVLA and stop driving until treatment has your symptoms under control. If you’ve been prescribed CPAP, use it every night as prescribed. A diagnosis without excessive sleepiness doesn’t fall under the conditions GOV.UK lists, but confirm with your doctor.
See also: getting CPAP on the NHS.