A Group 2 driving licence is the licence category required in the UK to drive large goods vehicles (LGV, formerly HGV) and passenger-carrying vehicles (PCV), including buses and coaches. Group 2 licence holders are subject to significantly stricter medical standards than ordinary car drivers (Group 1), particularly following cardiac events such as cardiac arrest.
Why Group 2 standards are stricter
Group 2 drivers are in control of larger, heavier vehicles with greater potential for harm to other road users in the event of incapacitation. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Secretary of State’s Honorary Medical Advisory Panel set stricter fitness standards to reflect this higher risk.
After cardiac arrest
Following a cardiac arrest, a Group 2 licence holder faces much longer licensing restrictions than a standard car driver. The current DVLA guidance (as updated periodically) typically requires a minimum period off Group 2 driving, followed by assessment of:
- Whether there is a treatable underlying cause that has been identified and managed
- Whether an ICD has been implanted (Group 2 driving is generally not permitted when an ICD has been implanted, as the risk of incapacitation from an inappropriate shock or the underlying arrhythmia remains)
- Satisfactory cardiac function and absence of ongoing arrhythmia
ICD and Group 2 licences
In most circumstances, the presence of an ICD permanently bars a person from holding a Group 2 licence in the UK. This is because the risk of incapacitation from a shock (whether appropriate or inappropriate) at the wheel of a large vehicle is considered unacceptable. This is a significant issue for survivors who depend on Group 2 driving for their livelihood.
Current DVLA guidance
Survivors should check the most up-to-date DVLA guidance at gov.uk/dvla and discuss their individual situation with their cardiologist, as standards are reviewed periodically.
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