The data, released in a written answer on 15 June, shows that Group 2 medical applications — covering lorry and bus drivers — took an average of 45.1 working days to process in May 2026. Although this was lower than the March peak of 56.2 working days, it still equates to around nine weeks in working-day terms.
For operators and drivers, the figures point to a continuing administrative pressure point in a sector already concerned about driver availability. Medical renewals are not the same as ordinary licence transactions: if a professional driver cannot legally continue driving while waiting, the delay can remove them from work.
What the new figures show
According to the Parliamentary answer, average processing times for Group 2 medical driving licence applications were:
| Month 2026 | Group 2 average processing time |
|---|---|
| January | 42.5 working days |
| February | 46.3 working days |
| March | 56.2 working days |
| April | 49.0 working days |
| May | 45.1 working days |
The March figure was the longest in the five-month period, with Group 2 medical applications taking an average of more than 56 working days to process.
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The figures also show that the issue is specific to medical cases rather than all lorry and bus licence applications. In a separate answer, the DVLA said ordinary Group 2 online driving licence applications took an average of 1.00 working day in April and 1.05 working days in May. Non-online Group 2 applications took 6.23 working days in April and 4.56 working days in May.
Why Group 2 delays matter
Group 2 licences cover professional lorry and bus drivers, who are subject to higher medical standards than car drivers. That makes medical renewals a routine part of staying in work, particularly for older drivers or those with health conditions that require assessment.
The DVLA delays therefore have a direct operational impact. A driver waiting for a medical renewal may not simply be waiting for paperwork; depending on their circumstances, they may be unable to take shifts, cover routes or return to work until the licensing position is clear.
The issue comes at a time when the road transport sector continues to highlight driver shortages, retention problems and the cost of keeping vehicles and staff available. Even where Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act allows a driver to continue driving while an application is with the DVLA, that depends on meeting the relevant conditions.
GOV.UK guidance says drivers whose licence expires while their application is being processed may be able to continue driving, but only if they satisfy the Section 88 criteria. Drivers must also be medically fit to drive and should not continue if a doctor has advised them not to do so.
Can drivers claim compensation?
The same Parliamentary answer shows that compensation claims linked to delays in medical driving licence processing have continued into 2026.
From January to 9 June 2026, the DVLA received 36 compensation claims where delay in processing was a factor. Payments over the same period totalled £9,222.50.
The monthly figures were:
| Month 2026 | Claims received | Compensation paid |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | £1,760 |
| February | 10 | £2,692.50 |
| March | 8 | £2,620 |
| April | 5 | £900 |
| May | 4 | £1,050 |
| June, to 9 June | 1 | £200 |
The highest monthly compensation total in the period was February 2026, when £2,692.50 was paid.
The figures do not show how many of the claims related specifically to Group 2 drivers. However, they confirm that medical-licence processing delays are still generating compensation cases.
What operators should remind drivers to do early
The latest data reinforces the need for operators to remind drivers to start medical renewal processes as early as possible, especially where a Group 2 entitlement is essential for their role.
Drivers should check expiry dates, book any required medical examination in good time, submit a complete application, and keep evidence that the application has been sent. Where a driver intends to rely on Section 88, they should ensure they meet the conditions and should seek medical advice if there is any doubt about fitness to drive.
For transport companies, the risk is not only the individual renewal delay, but the lack of certainty around when a driver will be available. With average Group 2 medical processing times still above 45 working days, licence renewals remain a workforce planning issue as well as an administrative one.
