D2, D4 and deflated, I realise this has been covered by numerous threads but..

[johnandi]

I didn't send mine back with the renewal application, as needed for employer's security checks, (as annotated on the application), but there is a requirement upon receiving the new licence, to cut the old one in half, and return to DVLA.

HTH,

Jock.

Yes, that's what I was hoping to hear. We're hoping to travel to Oz in March/April (Covid willing) to visit family and to hire a campervan. I'll need my licence to hire the camper so pretty well stuck without it! I'd thought of telling DVLA it was lost but I really don't want to delay the issue of my new licence, explaining the reason on the D2 sounds a better (and more honest) possibility.

 

[johnandi]

First time john renewed it was a faff due to DVLA changing how they wanted CPAP readings to be recorded And hospital not filling in the required forms.We had a 4 toner, so I did all the driving till he got it sorted.
Next time both needed to renew, I chose to have my eye test done and recorded at spec savers, the DVLA preferred optician, as that was the one thing i thought might cause a problem, although I do have other health issues. Both returned within 10 days, but this was pre Covid. Both due to renew in January, now have 3.5 van John isn’t going to bother, as yet i am undecided.

The speedy return from DVLA is encouraging, albeit pre-Covid!
I had my D4Drivers medical today, passed the 'health check' questions but he pulled me up on the eye test. Not a total disaster though as he just omitted filling in that part of the D4 form and advised me to get a full eye test from an optician (booked for next week) and the optician will complete the form and no doubt will stipulate glasses for driving - which is probably a good thing!

 

[autorouter]

advised me to get a full eye test from an optician (booked for next week) and the optician will complete the form and no doubt will stipulate glasses for driving - which is probably a good thing!

One thing I remember when I first got glasses some years ago is at first I misjudged distances and widths of gaps. It took a few weeks and some near misses to learn that. Driving a motorhome you might not have the safety margin of driving a car, so watch out!

 

[Broadway]

I would highly recommend applying at least 3 months before your licence renewal date. I have received mine earlier this month having submitted the completed D2/D4 applications last October. I had a full doctors medical with zero medical issues but bizarrely they still sent a further medical questionnaire two months after applying. Make sure you keep a complete copy of everything you send.

 

[Rimswell Wanderer]

If you have no medical issues then the turn around time is reasonably quick.
If you have had prior medical issues then it's a nightmare and anyone's guess when you get your licence.
Ps
Thats if you ever get a C1

I sent my application off on the 25th September and still waiting as they have written to my doctor to ask if i am ok to drive a C1 D1 vehicle even though he sent paperwork to say I was.

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[MGDavid]

Another option is to get an International Licence for a fiver from the Post Office, which will have all the groups that your UK licence has on it. If you then apply for renewal and DVLA don't do it quickly you at least can go abroad with the International, just say you forgot the UK photocard one IF anyone asks.

 

[Kasey]

Thanks Autorouter. I'm actually booked in tomorrow with D4Drivers for the medical. We have a blood pressure monitor at home so will get a reading this morning - it may help.
So it looks like I need to do a postal application cos of the D4. I'll check on the postcodes as well and just hope for the best.

I had a very good experience with D4 drivers. Friendly doctor who allowed me several attempts to get my blood pressure below the required numbers. I had taken some readings from my own monitor but he still needed to see a real life example of my blood pressure below the limits. Nothing usually wrong with my blood pressure and the doctor was very aware of the "white coat syndrome" which is quite common. After the procedure was completed my licence came back quite quickly.

 

[johnandi]

One thing I remember when I first got glasses some years ago is at first I misjudged distances and widths of gaps. It took a few weeks and some near misses to learn that. Driving a motorhome you might not have the safety margin of driving a car, so watch out!

Thanks Autorouter, I'll be aware of that

 

[johnandi]

I would highly recommend applying at least 3 months before your licence renewal date. I have received mine earlier this month having submitted the completed D2/D4 applications last October. I had a full doctors medical with zero medical issues but bizarrely they still sent a further medical questionnaire two months after applying. Make sure you keep a complete copy of everything you send.

Thanks Broadway, I'll be applying on the first opportunity at 90 days before my b'day. Cheers

 

[johnandi]

Another option is to get an International Licence for a fiver from the Post Office, which will have all the groups that your UK licence has on it. If you then apply for renewal and DVLA don't do it quickly you at least can go abroad with the International, just say you forgot the UK photocard one IF anyone asks.

Oh right, that sounds an option and worth a fiver. At least it gives me a licence. Do'u know if they are widely accepted as a substitute for a UK photo licence?

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[johnandi]

I had a very good experience with D4 drivers. Friendly doctor who allowed me several attempts to get my blood pressure below the required numbers. I had taken some readings from my own monitor but he still needed to see a real life example of my blood pressure below the limits. Nothing usually wrong with my blood pressure and the doctor was very aware of the "white coat syndrome" which is quite common. After the procedure was completed my licence came back quite quickly.

I did the same, took some readings on the two days prior to the medical. My was raised at the medical but he said it was within limits. Phew!

 

[Three Stars]

I had a DVLA medical on 3 November last year as I'm over 70 and the van is a 7 tonner. Forms posted by recorded delivery on 5 November. Nothing heard from DVLA although I know the forms were delivered. On checking the DVLA website a few days ago they say that all renewals are being dealt with in the order they are received and they are now starting to deal with those received on 1 November 2021. I do have health issues but none that are related to driving safety and the doctor at the medical told me I had passed. Previous reports are correct that driving in the UK is allowed to continue under Section 88 until a new licence is issued, provided that the driver's own GP has not recommended otherwise. It is a matter for the authorities in other countries to decide whether they will allow people to drive under such circumstances and I'm not aware that anyone has tested that.

I recommend a look at the DVLA website which deals with most of the situations mentioned in previous posts, including that the industrial action that contributed to the delays is now over.

All the best to everyone.

 

[PeterCarole29]

...It's coming up to 90 days before my big 70 b'day and I need to retain my C1 entitlement to drive our van. Reading threads on here about the severe delays on processing applications by DVLA it's putting the e-b-g-e-bies (excuse spelling!) up me as it's now my turn to apply. So, just a couple of questions if anyone can help please:
1. I read that an on-line application is probably quicker than postal, BUT it says the D4 must be submitted by post (?). So, is it possible to submit the D2 on-line and submit the D4 by post? Will they ever be reunited in the DVLA? Or is it best to submit both, together, by post?
2. Has ANYONE actually had a good experience in a quick turnaround of renewal application of D2 and D4??
Thanks

Contact Flatpackchicken he has just got his back

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I would think that if you are required to send the D4 by post then the D2 must go with it.
You will only get a fast turnaround if you have no medical issues.

 

[Bessy765]

I applied for mine second C1 entitlement, first time declared an medical episode in 2004 all fine. No further episodes, sent the licence back to me as I apparently misread the bit about if your passport is under five years old you just give them the details and do not have to send a photo. Sent it off again (with photo) 20th August. Started chasing the late October to be told they are writing to my doctor to check I was fit to drive. Had advised them of the previous medical with no further episodes or treatment. Doctor sent replied to their given email address just before Christmas. Having spent most of Friday trying to get through finally got in the queue. After 25 mins a very helpful lady answered I explained the problem she said she would check. Advised me it must still be with the medical department and as they have a different computer system she could not access my file. Hold on I will transfer you another 35 mins on hold get through to another very helpful lady, no it is still not on my file, she explained to phone back next Friday with the email address it was sent from at the doctors surgery with the date and time and it is the only way they can search for it. You can imagine the surgeries response re the data protection act giving out their secure email address which is different from the one patients use?? I had previously emailed the DVLA to ask if they had recived the e,ail from my doctors, gave my driver number, NHS number home address postcode and the two registrations of my vehicles registered with them as proof of id. Got a reply owing to the data protection act they could not tell me??? There had my moan for the day****

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[Rumour and Innuendo]

I did mine by post and it took about six weeks, but some of that was waiting for an appointment for the heart doctor. Had to have a treadmill test to confirm my heart was ticking ok. That was during the pandemic, last March. So as long as you are careful what you put and make no mistakes, it is not too stressful.

 

[Darling]

Renewing my licence and keeping C1 was very straight forward. The specialist companies that deal with this only charge £50 for the medical and they arrange it in a place near you. Mine was in a hotel in Llandudno, they only give you an eye test and and ask you questions about your health. They don’t actually give you a medical.

 

[Bessy765]

The plot thickens, having spent several hours. Trying to phone the DVLA and when finally getting through spending literally hours on hold, have now found out the the DVLA wrote to my doctor for some medical info on the 30/10/2021 and having given the surgery a letter from me giving them permission to release and and all info they may require on the 02/11/2021 have now found out the the letter from my doctor for the DVLA was signed on the 18/01/2022 but not posted till the 26/01/2022!!!!! So it has taken my doctor‘s well over two and a half months to reply to a letter. I fully understand the my request was not illness related but even so it should not have taken so long. That means I was taking a a phone line and several DVLA staff (who were always polite patient and as helpful as could be) for an unnecessary query.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I would complain to your GP and advise the consequences of their delayed response.

 

[Larby]

2. Has ANYONE actually had a good experience in a quick turnaround of renewal application of D2 and D4??
Thanks

It can be done. Just 7 days from posting to renewed. Not normal times but during height of pandemic

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[PleasantCoast]

I sent the forms off in late October last year for a provisional C1 entitlement (I am too young to have had it "grandfathered" in) and received my new license surprisingly quickly. However, I am still waiting for a replacement V5C for my car that I applied for in September

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

It can be done. Just 7 days from posting to renewed. Not normal times but during height of pandemic




View attachment 581307View attachment 581308

But that's a year ago ,we are looking at the current situation.

 

[Dutch 68]

I didn't send mine back with the renewal application, as needed for employer's security checks, (as annotated on the application), but there is a requirement upon receiving the new licence, to cut the old one in half, and return to DVLA.

HTH,

Jock.

The requirement might be there but they never seem to enforce it……

 

[JockandRita]

The requirement might be there but they never seem to enforce it……

Which is why I have held on to mine, just for ID purposes, as I don't normally carry my driving licence about with me on a daily basis.
If they do call it back, I'll comply.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[joe and sue]

Retaining C1 at age 70 renewal has to be a postal application, which requires human intervention, and there lies the problem.
Anything which is automatic / electronically processed takes no time at all, add in the humans, who all seem to be "working" from home and the problems start.
My application coincided with a change to insulin for my type 2 diabetes, and the resulting medicals, eyetests, questions etc, all done by post, meant that mine took 42 weeks !! the only upside was that I gained 6 months on my licence
I applied in March 2021,
Licence expired end May 2021,
Licence Issued & dated December 2021
6 months free, now i do not need to worry until the end of this season not in May.
Just make sure it is noted as being in their system, so that you can drive your own vehicle under section 88 ( note you cannot drive a hired vehicle, drive a vehicle owned by an employer, or drive abroad under section 88, AND keep copies of all documents / correspondence in a file and carry it with you when driving.
Stay safe out there and happy travels
Joe

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[Jimbohorlicks]

Retaining C1 at age 70 renewal has to be a postal application, which requires human intervention, and there lies the problem.
Anything which is automatic / electronically processed takes no time at all, add in the humans, who all seem to be "working" from home and the problems start.
My application coincided with a change to insulin for my type 2 diabetes, and the resulting medicals, eyetests, questions etc, all done by post, meant that mine took 42 weeks !! the only upside was that I gained 6 months on my licence
I applied in March 2021,
Licence expired end May 2021,
Licence Issued & dated December 2021
6 months free, now i do not need to worry until the end of this season not in May.
Just make sure it is noted as being in their system, so that you can drive your own vehicle under section 88 ( note you cannot drive a hired vehicle, drive a vehicle owned by an employer, or drive abroad under section 88, AND keep copies of all documents / correspondence in a file and carry it with you when driving.
Stay safe out there and happy travels
Joe

So does your licence run for 1 year or 3 from Dec 2021.?

 

[rickwiggans]

A small, but important point about section 88. It is often said that you can continue to drive unless your GP says you can't. Section 88 actually says that your GP must have said you can drive. i.e, it requires a positive response. In practice this means you must ask the GP and get a positive OK to drive.

 

[johnandi]

I had a DVLA medical on 3 November last year as I'm over 70 and the van is a 7 tonner. Forms posted by recorded delivery on 5 November. Nothing heard from DVLA although I know the forms were delivered. On checking the DVLA website a few days ago they say that all renewals are being dealt with in the order they are received and they are now starting to deal with those received on 1 November 2021. I do have health issues but none that are related to driving safety and the doctor at the medical told me I had passed. Previous reports are correct that driving in the UK is allowed to continue under Section 88 until a new licence is issued, provided that the driver's own GP has not recommended otherwise. It is a matter for the authorities in other countries to decide whether they will allow people to drive under such circumstances and I'm not aware that anyone has tested that.

I recommend a look at the DVLA website which deals with most of the situations mentioned in previous posts, including that the industrial action that contributed to the delays is now over.

All the best to everyone.

Thanks ThreeStars, that's really informative.

 

[johnandi]

Contact Flatpackchicken he has just got his back

Cheers for that

 

[johnandi]

I applied for mine second C1 entitlement, first time declared an medical episode in 2004 all fine. No further episodes, sent the licence back to me as I apparently misread the bit about if your passport is under five years old you just give them the details and do not have to send a photo. Sent it off again (with photo) 20th August. Started chasing the late October to be told they are writing to my doctor to check I was fit to drive. Had advised them of the previous medical with no further episodes or treatment. Doctor sent replied to their given email address just before Christmas. Having spent most of Friday trying to get through finally got in the queue. After 25 mins a very helpful lady answered I explained the problem she said she would check. Advised me it must still be with the medical department and as they have a different computer system she could not access my file. Hold on I will transfer you another 35 mins on hold get through to another very helpful lady, no it is still not on my file, she explained to phone back next Friday with the email address it was sent from at the doctors surgery with the date and time and it is the only way they can search for it. You can imagine the surgeries response re the data protection act giving out their secure email address which is different from the one patients use?? I had previously emailed the DVLA to ask if they had recived the e,ail from my doctors, gave my driver number, NHS number home address postcode and the two registrations of my vehicles registered with them as proof of id. Got a reply owing to the data protection act they could not tell me??? There had my moan for the day****

Blimey, nightmare! Good luck

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