Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

The complainant has requested DVLA to disclose the number of drivers in the past five years who have contacted it to inform it of an inability to drive due to hepatic encephalopathy or after an alcohol withdrawal seizure. They also asked how many accidents were attributed to the driver suffering such conditions. DVLA refused to comply with the first element of the request in accordance with section 12 of FOIA. With regards to the second element, DVLA advised that it does not hold this information. The Commissioner’s decision is that DVLA is entitled to refuse to comply with the first element of the request under section 12 of FOIA. In relation to the second element of the request, the Commissioner is satisfied that, on the balance of probabilities, DVLA does not hold the requested information. The Commissioner has however recorded a breach of section 16 of FOIA. The Commissioner does not require any further steps to be taken.