Driving Licence Medical Requirements Post 70

[jak]

I am approaching the dreaded 70 year anniversary and unfortunately need to re-apply for my licence. Ideally I would like to retain my 'grandfather' C1 entitlement rights to driving a 3,500kg to 7,500kg vehicle but I have a somewhat chequered medical history. I have studied the relevant sections of the DVLA web site and associated advice notes in great detail and find the information relating to post 70 medical requirements somewhat contradictory. In my opinion it is unclear whether C1 entitlement one has to fully satisfy all of the requirements of the Group 2 medical. My suspicion is one does need to fully satisfy the Group 2 requirements but there is a degree of ambiguity (or typographical error) in some of the guidance notes which are causing me some doubt.

 

However I have managed to find a medical guidance note, issued for practitioners, on another site which I suspect clarifies matters quite precisely. The document on this site states that:

 

'Holders of C1 and D1 entitlement retain the entitlement until their licence expires or it is medically revoked. On subsequent renewal the higher medical standards applicable to Group 2 will apply.'

 

I am in the process of applying on line for a new licence - without C1 entitlement. But before submitting this I would be grateful if some knowledgable/experienced member on the forum could confirm that the above extract is correct and for C1 entitlement Group 2 requirements apply in their entirety.

[StuartO]

As I understand it, higher (Group 2, "HGV" standards) medical standards do kick in from the age of 70 if you wish to retain your C1 entitlement. If you have,for example, heart problems this may result in you needing to prove you are fit enough by submitting evidence of extra tests (at your expense) and there are also other medical obstacles which didn't previously apply.

 

For £50 or so you could get yourself an HGV medical from one of these agencies who conduct the medicals on an industrial scale (often at motorway service areas) and find out which obsracles will apply to you. The doctor fills in the form and hands it to you to send off, so you get to read what he put down. You can do this at any time, with no intention of actually submitting the form to DVLA if you wish.

[747]

If you have some medical issues which concern you, I would recommend you use your own Doctor and/or Optician for the medical. It will be more expensive but may save you a lot of hassle.

 

If you use a specialist HGV Doctor, you will likely be sent for additional tests, either to a Hospital for a treadmill test or to Specsavers for a Field Test.

 

 

[Harvey]

Get form INF4D.

 

You will see that although Group 2 standards are required for the car driving licence holders who are renewing their C1 entitlement, the eyesight requirements are less severe for those, than for full D or C licence holders. ( pages 7 and 8 ) read carefully on page 8. *

 

If you have a 'notifiable medical condition' you should already have notified the DVLA anyway.

 

I do have and because of my age I have to renew my 'D class' bus driving licence every year.

 

I use a travelling doctor for the medical but this means that sometimes the DVLA will require me to have an additional medical with my own doctor but they pay for this. It took five months to get my D licence renewed this year! Probably simpler and quicker though more expensive to use your own doctor.

 

* Visual acuity of at least 6/7.5 in better eye and 6/60 in worse eye for full lorry/bus licence.

Visual acuity of at least 6/12 for the C1 renewal ( does not say if for both eyes but as it is 6/60 for worse eye for full licence then probably same for the C1 ) You can always 'phone the DVLA medical dept and ask for clarification. Phone just after 8am Saturday. Usually get answered very quickly.

 

hth Harvey

[jak]

Thanks guys your comments concur with my understanding.

 

I was, and to some extent I still am, somewhat confused by a reference in one of DVLA guidance notes where it has a heading

'Group 1 car and lorry drivers' ..... followed by a series of note/conditions

this is then followed by the normal heading

'Group 2 bus and lorry drivers' ......and conditions which in effect contradict those that proceed it.

Quite why the DVLA have used the heading 'Group 1 car and lorry drivers' is beyond me. It is the only time I have ever seen it used and suspect it is a typographical error as it makes little sense and introduces ambiguity where there clealry should n't be any. If it is a typo then it is a sad state of affairs as these are quasi legal docs intended to clarify not confuse. I may well contact them on the point - if they meant Group 1 and Group 2 why not say so!

 

I was considering using a private medical company as Stuart suggested but was aware that there was a high probability that at the least I would need to undertake a treadmill test. As such I approached the company and sort advice on what the costs of such a test would be and hit a brick wall. It became quickly apparent that the lady was simply interested in me getting an initial consultation and only then would they broach the matter of additional tests and associated costs which I know, from independent research, will be at least a multiple of 6 times the initial consultation cost of £50 - £55.

 

The actual test causes me no concern as I am a keen hill walker and strong swimmer so cardiac exertion is something I am used to and not a problem - unless its sub-zero. It is quite possible my GP could provide a better (cheaper) service but personally I don't think the advantage of having a C1 entitlement is worth the bother - particulalry not on a three year roll-over. It will be easier for me to reduce the van's MAM down to 3,500kg which with the 5% error allowance is in effect 3,675kg. This loading will more than satisfy my requirements and have the advantage of encouraging me to get rid of the junk in my garage - wind-surfing harness, wet suits, float jacket, boots (unused for 2 years), case of French beer, etc. In addition the other half can then share the less demanding sections of European driving and allow me to enjoy the scenery for a change.

 

With respect to the eye test as a matter of interest is the requirement to be able to read the very bottom line of the optimists chart with both eyes? One I am happy with but the other was marginally blurry.

[sshortcircuit]

At 70 I had to take the treadmill test, paid for by the DVLA. Avoided another test this year by going for a MH under the 3500 which we like better.

[jak]

sshortcircuit - 2018-12-06 4:17 PM

 

At 70 I had to take the treadmill test, paid for by the DVLA. Avoided another test this year by going for a MH under the 3500 which we like better.

 

Paid for by the DVLA sounds rather tempting. I had presumed the applicant would be laible for all costs.

[sshortcircuit]

I had paid for a private medical through a "HGV" Doctor and had a valid Opticians eye test. Once forms had been submitted DVLA then came back with the requirement for the treadmill, which they organised and paid for. I would never have passed this time round, 73 as I was nearly giving up with 20 secs to go first time, but was urged on by the Consultant. As I said, changed MH.

[PJay]

Not quiet what you are asking, as I do not need the higher weight licence.

BUT I had to renew my licence again this week . Sent it off to DVLA 27 november . Came back 3rd december.I have to fill in a medical report each time, as i am Diabetic.SO was amazed at the speed they returned it. Re eye test, your optician will tell you if you are NOT fit to drive ( I do have an eye test every year)

I personally think that if one feels unsafe driving , you should give up, BUT sadly some do not, and it is up to the family to persuade you , not to drive.

I have been driving for over 60 years, and am very aware of how driving habits have changed, but then so have cars!

PJay

 

[Bulletguy]

747 - 2018-12-06 9:33 AM

 

If you have some medical issues which concern you, I would recommend you use your own Doctor and/or Optician for the medical. It will be more expensive but may save you a lot of hassle.

This ^^^ every time. Also if you have a DVLA office relatively near, it's worth a visit as they will help sort out the form filling. Phoning and getting through to an operative is nigh on impossible.

[Derek Uzzell]

Bulletguy - 2018-12-06 10:04 PM

 

...Also if you have a DVLA office relatively near, it's worth a visit as they will help sort out the form filling. Phoning and getting through to an operative is nigh on impossible.

 

All DVLA local offices in the UK were closed in 2013 as a cost-cutting exercise, with their work transferred primarily to DVLA Swansea. This link refers

 

https://tinyurl.com/y79t8oug

[Robbo]

jak......you might get away with 3500kg + 5% error allowance in the UK but I wouldn't count on it in mainland Europe.

 

Also, if you had a large claim accident, your insurance company may look more closely at the potential over-weight issue in an attempt to avoid paying out.

 

As others have said, it only costs £50 to have a medical (using a mobile doctor service) and then you'd be able to make an informed decision on whether it was worth proceeding. Just ensure the doctor knows it's for a C1 licence and not a C1+D1 licence.

[monique.hubrechtsgm]

What scales are you use? We count from zero (0) to(10).

[Keithl]

monique.hubrechts@gm - 2018-12-08 4:52 PM

 

What scales are you use? We count from zero (0) to(10).

 

Monique,

 

Scale of/for what?

 

Keith.

[Bulletguy]

Derek Uzzell - 2018-12-07 7:29 AM

 

Bulletguy - 2018-12-06 10:04 PM

 

...Also if you have a DVLA office relatively near, it's worth a visit as they will help sort out the form filling. Phoning and getting through to an operative is nigh on impossible.

 

All DVLA local offices in the UK were closed in 2013 as a cost-cutting exercise, with their work transferred primarily to DVLA Swansea. This link refers

 

https://tinyurl.com/y79t8oug

Blimey....yet more cost cutting! :-(

 

Wonder what happens with V5's marked up as "disabled" now then as that was the only time i had to go to an office. Bought a van and wondered why the V5 was marked as "disabled" as the guy i bought from certainly wasn't! Contacted DVLA (this was back in the day you got through to a human being) who told me i'd have to go to my nearest office.....an 90 mile round trip. *-)

 

I asked why i couldn't just post it to them and she told me it could only be dealt with in person which seemed a bit odd.