C1 , Battle with DVLA

[jerryz]

I passed my C1 test in 1987 it was required by a company I worked for .

Changed my address this year and now the C1 ids missing from my license .
It was on old license issued in 2008 and again in 2018 when I was 60 im now 65 and the C1 entitlement has been deleted by DVLA


I have been in afight with them for last 8 months to get it re-instated as I am under 70 and in good health according to DVLA 's own medical staff who passed me fit in 2021 after a heart attack .

The DVLA say that my C1 was cancelled in 2012 due to ''medical '' reasons ????? but they cant explain what reasons and there is No Record of them even contacting me at that time ???

They issued me a license with C1 on in 2018 when I was 60

I cant get any sense out of them have written many letters spoken to many staff sent photocopies of old license . Asked MP to look in to it but no effect??

What should I do now .... any suggestions ???
My current van is 3500kg but its a compromise as I need a garage and reckon next van may be heavier even if its 1m shorter

 

[Pausim]

Have you tried the official online complaints procedure? I got a very quick response and my issue was soon sorted out.

GOV.UK - Complaints

contact.dvla.gov.uk

 

[Emmit]

No use to the OP whatsoever but let this be a salutory warning to all
those on here with ANY form of entitlement to drive ANY type of vehicle.

If, for any reason, you have to send your Licence to DVLA, before you do
take a copy, Front and Back of the extant Licence.

There have been many instances of that shower failing to install ALL the
entitlements onto the new Licence leaving people unemployed in the role
to which previously they had a qualification.

 

[Odd-no-more]

No use to the OP whatsoever but let this be a salutory warning to all
those on here with ANY form of entitlement to drive ANY type of vehicle.

If, for any reason, you have to send your Licence to DVLA, before you do
take a copy, Front and Back of the extant Licence.

There have been many instances of that shower failing to install ALL the
entitlements onto the new Licence leaving people unemployed in the role
to which previously they had a qualification.

I usually "lose" it and pay the extra cost, just in case.

 

[GrahamnSue]

I spent 7 months trying to get my C1 back after 'something funny' happened during a stress test requested by the DVLA.

After 7 months of ringing twice a week and getting nowhere, I started the official complaints procedure and within 48 hours I received a phone call to say they were sending me a new licence, with the C1 reinstated, without any further action.

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[PaulW2]

I have a C licence but now drive a 3.5 tonne van. Doubt that I will keep renewing the C or C1 parts. My reasoning is in part precisely that I don't want to be at the mercy at that sort of bureaucracy.

 

[Puddleduck]

Please ask your MP to use this service on your behalf

Welcome to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman | Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)

www.ombudsman.org.uk

I waited 2 years for my license to be re-instated after I had a single fainting episode (automatic 6 months license suspension after a faint - how many people do not inform?) as the medical board only met once every 6 months and any cases not reviewed were put back to the next meeting. My MP got the ombudsman involved and I had my license back within the week BUT with a full C+E provision. As I only needed the B and C1 part (which were there) I kept quiet but on my last license renewal my previous entitlement (pre faint) were on the license but not the full C part.

In future I would voluntarily hand back the license and then ask for it back when the 6 months were over. Luckily I have only had one episode since then and it is 99% certain that was caused by an issue with medication so no need to do the 6 months.

 

[nicholsong]

I have a C licence but now drive a 3.5 tonne van. Doubt that I will keep renewing the C or C1 parts. My reasoning is in part precisely that I don't want to be at the mercy at that sort of bureaucracy.

Surrenderer!

 

[nicholsong]

No use to the OP whatsoever but let this be a salutory warning to all
those on here with ANY form of entitlement to drive ANY type of vehicle.

If, for any reason, you have to send your Licence to DVLA, before you do
take a copy, Front and Back of the extant Licence.

There have been many instances of that shower failing to install ALL the
entitlements onto the new Licence leaving people unemployed in the role
to which previously they had a qualification.

I send a covering letter stating that I am soon to be driving in a country where it is obligatory to be in possession of one's licence, so cannot send the old one. This is my 5th renewal since age 70 - no problem.

Even in UK one can be required 'to produce within 5 days', so it is a stupid request.

 

[Gav61]

I usually "lose" it and pay the extra cost, just in case.

Hi....sorry for asking...?
What do you mean?
I still have the old paper version!!
Was thinking of changing as makes lots things easier with ID etc.....worried that I may regret asking dvla!!??

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[pappajohn]

Even in UK one can be required 'to produce within 5 days', so it is a stupid request.

I don't think they issue "5 day wonders" anymore.
They (police) can access your whole driving record instantly online.

 

[our poppy llll]

Who ever reports health issues to the DVLA at risk to your licence! Really. I wouldn’t.
I had 1 slipped disc in my neck and five damaged discs in my lower spine, I was awaiting two operations.
4 years I waited, so 2 years into waiting, to relieve pain they gave me a epidural type injection into my lower spine, while there I was asked lots of questions and was referred to the sleep clinic for tests, not knowing a thing about it or why, I went ahead. The score for Sleep Apnoea was 20, or over. I scored 12, mainly due to pain awakening me when pretty turned in bed.
The tester said he would mark me down as 21 so I could have a cpap machine and I would get the operation quicker. Not having a clue until afterwards, I noticed that I was diagnosed with Sleep apnoea, which could have had my licence revoked.
I fought for 2 years to have this removed from my health records, only when I threatened to sue the doctor for medical negligence, did they relent and remove it. The surgeon who operated on my neck said I did not have it, the surgeon who did my back also said I did not have it. I sleep soundly now that I no longer have spinal pain, obviously because the 2 operations were 100% successful.
So no, apply for your C1, even if you never use it, it costs nothing. Do not admit to anything, do not let them into your health records.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Hi....sorry for asking...?
What do you mean?
I still have the old paper version!!
Was thinking of changing as makes lots things easier with ID etc.....worried that I may regret asking dvla!!??

If you lose the licence you have to pay a fee, if there's a problem you may find the old licence to prove entitlement. These days it's possible to check on line at the DVLA

 

[Pausim]

So no, apply for your C1, even if you never use it, it costs nothing. Do not admit to anything, do not let them into your health records.

You don’t have a choice. You can’t keep your C1 without submitting a D4 and the declaration you have to sign on the D4 allows the DVLA to contact your doctor who is obliged to tell them about any health issues that might affect your driving. Also you can be fined £1000 for not telling the DVLA about notifiable health issues.

 

[JockandRita]

I never send my photocard licence back. When I apply for my annual renewal (HGV & PSV), I retain my current licence, but send a covering letter explaining my reasons for retention, and agree to destroy it once the replacement arrives.

The advantage of this, is that I have the proof of categories on the current licence, should the new one be lacking them.
If you can't retain the current licence, as advised above, photocopy both sides in colour, as well as the application forms, and send the originals by recorded and tracked delivery.

You have to play them at their own game, and be one step ahead of them, as they are not fit for purpose at times.
Twice now they have cocked up with both my V5 up plating, and my licence renewal, making out that they are not to blame, and on both occasions I have proved them to be at fault.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[PaulW2]

I never send my photocard licence back. When I apply for my annual renewal (HGV & PSV), I retain my current licence, but send a covering letter explaining my reasons for retention, and agree to destroy it once the replacement arrives.

The advantage of this, is that I have the proof of categories on the current licence, should the new one be lacking them.
If you can't retain the current licence, as advised above, photocopy both sides in colour, as well as the application forms, and send the originals by recorded and tracked delivery.

You have to play them at their own game, and be one step ahead of them, as they are not fit for purpose at times.
Twice now they have cocked up with both my V5 up plating, and my licence renewal, making out that they are not to blame, and on both occasions I have proved them to be at fault.

Cheers,

Jock.

What do you present as the reason for retention?

"As you persist in cocking up, I have decided I can't trust you and will hold on to the original until I receive the replacement"?

 

[rod_vw]

I don't think they issue "5 day wonders" anymore.
They (police) can access your whole driving record instantly online.

It's worth noting that the police, and anyone else able to use the on-line licence check will be informed if your eye test indicates that you should be wearing glasses to drive. I saw this on my on-line version when I had just had my C1 reinstated.

 

[nicholsong]

You don’t have a choice. You can’t keep your C1 without submitting a D4 and the declaration you have to sign on the D4 allows the DVLA to contact your doctor who is obliged to tell them about any health issues that might affect your driving. Also you can be fined £1000 for not telling the DVLA about notifiable health issues.

Good luck contacting my Polish GP - DVLA probably could not spell the address, and do the admin to afford the stamp.

 

[nicholsong]

What do you present as the reason for retention?

"As you persist in cocking up, I have decided I can't trust you and will hold on to the original until I receive the replacement"?

You obviously did not read between the lines when I said

'soon to be going to a country needing to show my licence.'

My thoughts are like yours.

 

[Pausim]

Good luck contacting my Polish GP - DVLA probably could not spell the address, and do the admin to afford the stamp.

I suspect your circumstances are unusual. Most of us have UK GPs and have to sign a declaration on the D4 authorising our doctors and specialists to release information relevant to fitness to drive. Don’t sign don’t get C1.

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[nicholsong]

I suspect your circumstances are unusual. Most of us have UK GPs and have to sign a declaration on the D4 authorising our doctors and specialists to release information relevant to fitness to drive. Don’t sign don’t get C1.

Oh I signed alright and have done for last 3 renewals. No problem.

 

[cyberyacht]

One often can't duck 'under the radar' on these things as a number of conditions have a legal requirement to notify DVLA so "they" get you in the end.

 

[nicholsong]

I suspect your circumstances are unusual. Most of us have UK GPs and have to sign a declaration on the D4 authorising our doctors and specialists to release information relevant to fitness to drive. Don’t sign don’t get C1.

Oh I signed alright and have done for last 3 renewals. No problem.

I should have added to my reply above that ,in case some readers do not know, DVLA will accept any EU-qualified Dr. filling in the D4 form.

This has not changed since Brexit and I cannot see how it would since so many of such doctors are practising in UK. Maybe even some working for the likes of D4Drivers.

 

[our poppy llll]

You don’t have a choice. You can’t keep your C1 without submitting a D4 and the declaration you have to sign on the D4 allows the DVLA to contact your doctor who is obliged to tell them about any health issues that might affect your driving. Also you can be fined £1000 for not telling the DVLA about notifiable health issues.

The good news for me is that I have checked the list of reportable health issues and in all of them I am fine for not reporting. Whoo hoo.. in 4 years I can still drive my 4.5 ton beast..