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Benzodiazepine and z-drug withdrawal - Management
Should a person with benzodiazepine or z-drug dependency drive?
- People who take benzodiazepines at doses recommended by the British National Formulary (BNF) and have no evidence of impairment do not need to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
- The non-prescribed use of benzodiazepines and/or the use of supra-therapeutic dosage, whether in a substance withdrawal/maintenance programme or otherwise, constitutes misuse/dependency for licensing purposes. This will lead to licence refusal or revocation.
- Car drivers or motorcyclists can reapply for a licence when they have not misused benzodiazepines for 1 year.
- Drivers of large goods vehicles (LGVs) or passenger-carrying vehicles (PCVs) can reapply for a licence when they have not misused benzodiazepines for 3 years.
- On reapplication, an independent medical assessment and urine screen arranged by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), as well as a favourable report from a consultant or specialist, may be required (and is normally required for LGV and PCV drivers).
- The DVLA provides no advice for people taking z-drugs.
- For more information, see the 'At a glance guide' available on the DVLA website.
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