Confidentiality and fitness to drive (DVLA) station

Ethics stations test principled reasoning and communication, not just knowing a rule. Here you must balance confidentiality and the patient’s livelihood against public safety and the duty to notify the DVLA.

How to structure it

• Explore the patient’s understanding and the impact stopping driving has on them.
• Explain the DVLA rules and that it is their legal duty to notify.
• Explain the safety rationale calmly and explore alternatives to driving.
• Make clear that if they continue to drive against advice you may, after warning them, have to inform the DVLA.
• Document, signpost support, and preserve the relationship.

Common pitfalls

• Issuing threats rather than explaining the limited duty to disclose.
• Dismissing the very real impact on the patient’s work.
• Failing to give them the chance to act themselves first.

Examiners reward empathy for the patient combined with a clear, principled stand on public safety.