HRO stands for High Risk Offender, a DVLA category most commonly linked to serious or repeated drink-driving or drug offences. Before a licence can be restored, the DVLA — Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency — may require a formal medical assessment with a DVLA-appointed doctor before your licence can be reinstated or reissued. Some patients arrive at their appointment believing the examining doctor tests the samples on the day or decides the outcome there and then. That is not how the process works, and misunderstanding this can cause unnecessary anxiety.
Dr Sethi does not make the final licensing decision. No examining doctor does. What he does is ensure the DVLA receives a full, accurate account of your health so their medical advisers can assess your case with confidence. DVLA licensing decisions are made by the DVLA, based on the medical evidence submitted and any further information they request. The examining doctor provides clinical information but does not issue the licensing outcome. Knowing this makes the whole process easier to navigate.
It is also important to understand that the examining doctor does not receive the laboratory test results or the final licensing decision. Test results are used as part of the DVLA’s review process, and any licensing outcome is communicated by the DVLA directly. This means the clinic cannot tell you whether you have “passed” or “failed” after the appointment.
At Medica Universal, we carry out HRO medicals and pre-assessment appointments to help patients arrive prepared and confident. This article walks through each stage so you know exactly what happens and who is responsible for what.
The short answer: The doctor who carries out your HRO medical does not make the final licensing decision. They assess you, complete a structured medical report, and submit it to the DVLA. The DVLA’s medical advisers then review everything and issue the outcome. The doctor’s role is to give the DVLA an accurate, detailed clinical picture.
Key Takeaways
| Stage | Who Is Responsible |
|---|---|
| Carrying out the medical examination | Examining doctor (e.g. Dr Sethi) |
| Completing the medical report | Examining doctor |
| Submitting paperwork to the DVLA | Examining doctor / clinic |
| Reviewing the report and evidence | DVLA medical advisers |
| Making the final licensing decision | DVLA |
| Typical processing time | Around 21 days from the date of the medical (can vary) |
Medica Universal offers both HRO medicals and pre-assessment appointments. Speak to the team today to find the right starting point for you.
What Does the HRO Doctor Actually Do?
The examining doctor’s job is to build a complete, accurate clinical picture of your health and present it to the DVLA in a structured format.
During the appointment, the doctor will:
- Review your medical history, including any relevant conditions, treatments, or medications
- Carry out a physical examination where required
- Ask questions relating to the specific medical criteria the DVLA needs addressed
- Complete the official DVLA medical report form, a standardised document designed to capture the information the DVLA needs to reach a licensing decision
- Submit the completed report to the DVLA and arrange for any required blood or urine samples to be sent to the laboratory
Dr Sethi, our lead clinician at Medica Universal, conducts these examinations in a calm, methodical way. The aim is to give the DVLA a clear, honest account of your current health. The report is a clinical document, rather than a character reference, and the doctor does not advocate for a particular outcome.
Worth knowing: The doctor completes the report according to DVLA guidelines. They have no authority to grant, refuse, or reinstate a driving licence. That sits entirely with the DVLA.
Does the Doctor Decide Whether I Get My Licence Back?
No. This is one of the most common points of confusion patients bring to us.
Some patients feel that if the appointment went smoothly, the outcome is as good as settled. Others worry that something they said during the examination will count against them. Neither assumption reflects how the process actually works.
What the examining doctor controls is the quality and completeness of the report they submit. A thorough report gives the DVLA the information their medical team needs to make a timely decision. An incomplete one can delay the process. That is why the experience and attention to detail of the examining doctor matters, even though the final call is not theirs to make.
Dr Sethi does not make the final licensing decision. No examining doctor does. What he does is ensure the DVLA receives a full, accurate account of your health so their medical advisers can assess your case with confidence.
It is also worth knowing that the examining doctor does not receive the laboratory test results after the appointment. Those results go directly to the DVLA as part of their review. The clinic will not have sight of them, and Dr Sethi will not be in a position to tell you what they show. Equally, the overall licensing decision is not communicated to the clinic. Any update about your licence will come from the DVLA directly.
What Happens After the Medical?
Once the appointment is complete and the report is signed, it is submitted to the DVLA. At that point, the case moves out of the clinic’s hands entirely.
The DVLA’s medical advisers in Swansea will review:
- The completed medical report from the examining doctor
- Any additional clinical evidence included, such as letters from the patient’s own GP, specialists plus the test results
- Your personal driving and medical history held on their records
They may also write to your GP or a specialist directly if they need further information. This is routine procedure for the DVLA to seek further information from a variety of sources.
You will not receive an update from the examining doctor during this period. All correspondence about the outcome comes directly from the DVLA.
If you want to feel prepared before your formal appointment, Medica Universal offers HRO pre-assessment appointments with Dr Sethi. Contact us to find out more.
How Long Does the DVLA Process Usually Take?
Patients are generally advised to allow around 21 days from the date of the medical for the DVLA to process the report and issue a decision. In practice, timescales can vary.
Factors that may affect the timeline include:
- Whether the DVLA needs to request further information from your GP or a specialist
- The volume of cases the DVLA is handling at the time
- Whether your submitted documents were complete when they arrived
What to do while you wait:
- Do not chase the DVLA within the first three weeks unless you have been told to expect a shorter turnaround
- Keep any correspondence from the DVLA safe, including reference numbers
- If your licence has been surrendered, do not drive until you receive written confirmation from the DVLA that you are permitted to do so
- Contact the DVLA directly if the 21-day window has passed and you have heard nothing — the clinic cannot chase on your behalf once the report has been submitted
If you are concerned about timelines or need to flag something to the DVLA, their medical enquiries line is the right point of contact.
What If I Want Reassurance Before My Final Appointment?
Some patients find it helpful to have a pre-assessment appointment before booking the formal HRO medical. This is particularly useful if you are unsure whether you are ready, have questions about what the examination involves, or want to understand what the DVLA is likely to be looking for in your specific situation.
At Medica Universal, Dr Sethi offers pre-assessment consultations and/or blood tests for this reason. During a pre-assessment, he can:
- Explain what the formal medical will involve
- Review your current health status and flag anything that may need addressing beforehand
- Answer your questions honestly and without pressure
- Help you feel confident that you are attending your formal appointment at the right time
A pre-assessment does not replace the formal HRO medical, but it can make a real difference to how prepared and settled you feel going into it. You can read more about what to expect from an HRO medical on our main HRO page.
Dr Sethi has been carrying out HRO medicals since 2017, allowing him to offer experienced, clinician-led support for patients preparing for the process. At Medica Universal, the focus is on giving you an honest, thorough assessment and the time to ask questions — not on processing paperwork as quickly as possible. If you are simply seeking a blood test prior to your official HRO appointment then that can be offered too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the examining doctor speed up the DVLA’s decision?
Once the medical report has been submitted, the examining doctor has no involvement in how quickly the DVLA processes it. The clinic cannot chase the DVLA on your behalf. If 21 days have passed and you have not received a decision, contact the DVLA’s medical enquiries team directly with your reference number. They are the only party who can give you an update on your case.
What happens if the DVLA needs more information after my medical?
The DVLA may write to your GP or a specialist to request additional clinical information. This is a routine part of their review process and does not indicate a negative outcome. You may be informed by letter if this happens. The process may take longer as a result, but it does not mean your case has been rejected or flagged as problematic.
Is a pre-assessment the same as the formal HRO medical?
No. A pre-assessment is a separate, preparatory consultation. It gives you the opportunity to discuss your health, understand what the formal examination involves, and identify anything you may want to address before your official appointment. It does not fulfil the DVLA’s requirement for a formal HRO medical. Both appointments are available at Medica Universal with Dr Sethi.
Will Dr Sethi receive my blood or urine test results?
No. The laboratory results are used as part of the DVLA’s review process and are not sent back to the examining doctor for discussion with the patient. The DVLA reviews the medical report, test results and any other relevant information before making its decision. Any update about your licence outcome will come from the DVLA, not the clinic.
Book an HRO Appointment
Medica Universal offers two routes for patients going through the HRO process:
HRO Pre-Assessment — A consultation with Dr Sethi, CDT blood testing, Portsmouth phlebotomy, and a results review to help you understand your position before the formal medical.
HRO Medical — The formal DVLA-required appointment, carried out by Dr Sethi at Heyward Road Surgery, Southsea. Paperwork is completed and submitted as part of the appointment.
To book either appointment or to ask a question about the process, Contact Medica Universal today. We will confirm which appointment suits your situation and get you booked in as quickly as possible.