Seatbelt Exemption Certificates

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At Westongrove, we do not to issue medical certificates for exemption from wearing a seatbelt. This page explains our reasons for this policy and provides guidance on what you should do if you feel you need an exemption.

Our Responsibility and Patient Safety

Our primary duty is to protect our patients and promote measures that keep them safe and well.

The law is very clear: all drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt. The government’s own guidance for doctors, published by the DVLA, highlights the “overwhelming evidence to show that seatbelts prevent death and serious injury in road traffic accidents.”

In a crash at 30 mph, an unrestrained person can hit the dashboard or seats in front of them with a force of up to 60 times their own body weight. Seatbelts are proven to reduce the risk of all types of injury by up to 50%.

Because of this clear evidence, there are no medical conditions (including pregnancy) that automatically grant an exemption. Each case must be carefully assessed, and as GPs, we do not have the specialist training to make this complex judgement.

Solutions and Adaptations Are Available

Many difficulties with wearing a seatbelt can be solved without needing a medical exemption. A wide range of devices and adaptations are available to make wearing a seatbelt more comfortable and manageable for people with:

  • Chest problems or pacemakers
  • Disabilities
  • Post-surgery needs
  • Stomas

How to Request a Medical Exemption

If you have explored adaptations and still feel that a medical exemption is necessary, you will need to seek a private assessment from a specialist.

We are unable to provide this service as it falls outside of our NHS work. You should contact:

  • A private GP service that specialises in this type of medical assessment.
  • Your work-based occupational health service, if you have one.

These providers have the appropriate training and insurance to carry out a detailed assessment and issue a legally recognised certificate if they find it is medically necessary.