I’m in a bit of a predicament - medical review license

[LouthMick]

I’m in a bit of a predicament and wondering if someone has gone through the same situation.

I have a 2018 LHD Hymer DL B534, which was uprated to 4.5kgs. Today, I received notice from DVLA that my license, which I have held since 1990 (including C1), is to be replaced with a ‘medical review license’, to be reviewed every 3 years - I have a very low level of Multiple Sclerosis, which does not effect driving or everyday life, yet.

The issue is that the medical review license does not have the C1 category as standard (same as any new license), meaning I am not able to drive the Hymer @ 4.5kgs. The letter from DVLA states that for me to be considered for the C1, I must get a medical examination report (Form D4) and also fill in an ‘application for a lorry, bus or minibus driving license‘ (Form D2).

I am confident the medical examination will be OK, as I have no physical disability, no eyesight issues or other medical problems (my MS symptoms are mainly pins and needles). However, after looking at the Form D2, I am uncertain if I need to attend some sort of course and driving test, or is it just a formality/paper shuffling exercise to have the C1 reinstated, as was on my previous license?

I guess another option would be to down-plate the MH to 3.5kgs. Is that possible?

Does anyone have a similar experience / applying for the lorry, bus or minibus license?

 

[Dutch 68]

Try to get all your forms and renewal sent of ASAP. DVLA are once again in bone idle mode so applications are taking a L O N G time. I've been waiting over 7 weeks. At this rate I'll have to postpone a winter trip over the water.

A mate in work has been waiting over 4 months HGV renewal after 5 yearly medical……

 

[Phileas Fogg]

seven weeks, four months oh you lucky people mine took EIGHTEEN months before it was issued due to the DVLA complete incompetence. Came through in the end but dreading the next renewal, irony is I have no physical problems and never have had but carry a rare gene that can cause severe problems for anyone generally under forty. Since I am 73 in a couple of weeks... derrr
There is one problem with driving under section 88, you cannot hire a car or van without a current non C1 licence.

 

[wiljoy]

My understanding is that as long as you have passed the medical and sent off the appropriate form to the DVLA you are good to go - you do not need to have it back from them. Not a lawyer but might’ve worth checking it out.

Sometimes not as simple as that I'm affraid. Three years ago DVLA asked for me to take a treadmill test through the NHS. In 2019 they wanted an independent medical even though my doctor completed the medical. I had a mild heart attack in 2016 with no issues since but they think I'm due to die at the wheel.
My renewal in 2019 took 7 months from application to receipt of my licence.

 

[pandas]

Sometimes not as simple as that I'm affraid. Three years ago DVLA asked for me to take a treadmill test through the NHS. In 2019 they wanted an independent medical even though my doctor completed the medical. I had a mild heart attack in 2016 with no issues since but they think I'm due to die at the wheel.
My renewal in 2019 took 7 months from application to receipt of my licence.

Yes I agree. However if all is fine ie no medical issues and as I said you passed the medical and sent the forms off you, I believe, do not need to wait for the actual documents to be returned from the DVLA.

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[Puddleduck]

seven weeks, four months oh you lucky people mine took EIGHTEEN months before it was issued due to the DVLA complete incompetence

Mine was the same after I fainted and no reason could be found ..... license suspended for 6 months but 18 months later after no re-occurrence still no license.

MP and Parliamentary Ombudsman to the rescue and I got my new license within the week. It's not correct but has the B and C! I need (plus also a full C+E and motorbike neither of which I had before). No B+E but as I don't tow a trailer I'm not worried.

 

[Larby]

There is one problem with driving under section 88, you cannot hire a car or van without a current non C1 licence.

Or go abroad as you must have the actual licence with you

 

[jp11]

My husband has angina, stabilised with medication (aren’t we all). After he was 70 his medical would have involved a difficult treadmill test but as he has only one arm he wasn’t allowed to do it. Instead he had to attend the coronary unit at Blackpool hospital where he was injected with an increasingly high dose of adrenaline causing him considerable pain. He failed and I have been the sole driver of our big Hymer for the past 3 years. He is an excellent driver and is fit and well and should never have been put through that.
MH drivers should not be treated the same as lorry drivers. End of rant! but I could go on ..........

Well done with the big Hymer, Good on you! I also didn't succeed with my C1 renewal at age 70. I have AF but fully under control with medication for over two years. But the dreaded treadmill test had to be done, which I failed to complete. Not because of any cardio issues - I was absolutely fine on that - I just didn't have the legs for it. I couldn't make the 9 minutes, nurse stopped me at 7 minutes in case I came a cropper! Broddy Hell, it's hard! She did say, it seems you have to be an athlete to drive anything larger than 3500kg.
I turned down the adrenalin injection you referred to. No thank you. Down plated instead.

 

[Wabs]

JP, well done for being honest and straight, I think the whole episode of asking us old gits to have to take a medical,is a bloody insult,but that’s the way it is, I have another 8 years before this but Im already preparing for it,I used to run every day for the 12 years I was signed up,,and hated every step,,,but it has probably;y stood me in good stead for any test,,( providing I don’t drop dead tonight)

 

[jp11]

I guess we have to do the medical in case we drop dead at the wheel! And there's a difference between a Mini and a 7-tonner hurtling down the road. But really, if you haven't any significant issues, the medical is a paper exercise for your following three years. If I had known what I was in for with the treadmill, I'd have been walking up and down the hill for a week beforehand (I wasn't offered a second chance with it).

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[bigalw35]

No test needed but take photo of licence and docs as they can vanish

Better still scan them if possible, and save them to a pc file

 

[jaygee]

We've just done all this for hubby in August. You can only keep cat1 etc etc by renewing by post - if you do it online then it will renew without CAT 1 etc.
All you need is a medical - you do not have to do any other tests etc although on the form it looks like you do, just do not fill in those sections.
Hubby had his medical with D4Drivers , cost £55. In & out in 5 mins at local hotel, book online.
Sent everything off & licence was back within 4 weeks.

 

[jaygee]

We've just done all this for hubby in August. You can only keep cat1 etc etc by renewing by post - if you do it online then it will renew without CAT 1 etc.
All you need is a medical - you do not have to do any other tests etc although on the form it looks like you do, just do not fill in those sections.
Hubby had his medical with D4Drivers , cost £55. In & out in 5 mins at local hotel, book online.
Sent everything off & licence was back within 4 weeks.

 

[Boy]

Just got my license back it took 12 weeks . Had to make a complaint about the delay
don’t know is this speeded up the long winded process . How ever at the age of 73 I did point out in my compliant that I had my years behind me them in front of me .
The only thing my new license was dated from September and not July as to my birthday
perhaps the noted my comment about more years behind me who knows helped
I have to say the process was not difficult at all only to say my doctor who I’ve know personal for more then 20 yrs wanted to charge me £190 .00
happy days

 

[nights]

Try to get all your forms and renewal sent of ASAP. DVLA are once again in bone idle mode so applications are taking a L O N G time. I've been waiting over 7 weeks. At this rate I'll have to postpone a winter trip over the water.

7 wks, that's quick. When I first applied, prior to turning 70, I sent the application off in the Nov 2020 prior to my birthday in January 2021, and it wasn't finalised until June!

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[Lee337]

7 weeks is quick. Only 58 with T2 diabetes (tablet controlled & had it for 15 years)and I needed a medical to have C put back on my licence. Had medical & sent forms off. 6 weeks later I get a nice letter from the DVLA saying I need to complete a medical form (in addition to the D2) and yet another form so they can contact my Doctor. Yet another 5 weeks & I'm still waiting.

There was a nice little footnote stating that if my doctor did not 'positively' resopnd, my licence for all categories would be revoked.

 

[Midnightflyer]

77 this year and still hold my HGV Class 1 which entitles me to drive those big things called 44 ton Artic's delivering your food to the supermarkets.
I have to pay £60 each year for a full medical inc eye test and so should I, please don't get this wrong but should we all have to take a medical and retraining over the age of 50, because I question some times when I see m/h drivers over 50 with units under 3.5 ton, their ability at manoeuvring etc. Probably opened a hornets nest but I know of others like me that feel the same including a retired police traffic officer.
I looked at the syllabus for the 'Knowledge' part of todays driving test and even I had to think at least twice at some of the questions!
I think this will open up some questions

 

[bigalw35]

Just got my license back it took 12 weeks . Had to make a complaint about the delay
don’t know is this speeded up the long winded process . How ever at the age of 73 I did point out in my compliant that I had my years behind me them in front of me .
The only thing my new license was dated from September and not July as to my birthday
perhaps the noted my comment about more years behind me who knows helped
I have to say the process was not difficult at all only to say my doctor who I’ve know personal for more then 20 yrs wanted to charge me £190 .00
happy days

Congrats, similar thing happened to me about the birthday date, also it seems I was lucky my quack only charged £150.00 for HER pleasure, but cost me £45.00 in additional postage to dvla (several return posts) because she f****ed up on the original paper work all sorted now though, until August 2022

 

[Reallyretired]

I think the problem for the OP is that he has MS and so, although no test needed, a referral to the internal “medical board” is likely. This is where all the delays come in and by our own experience and others reports, can take up to a year. Going through this process every 3 years was a no no for us, and this was before covid, DVLA strikes and so on.

Seven weeks is nothing. I've been waiting for mine since beginning of July.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Seven weeks is nothing. I've been waiting for mine since beginning of July.

Well yes, we had to wait for a year for my husband and 9 months for mine.

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[tc1000ok]

I have MS and have driven horse lorrys and tipper lorry for over 30 years. When I had to declare MS to DVLA my lorry C1 was taken from me. As it took over 10 years to diagnose, I am the same, my driving is the same, nothing has changed yet I am discriminated against. When I queried it I was sent documents to take a medical and full HGV test. Forget ageism, racism & sex equality that all have legal rights. Don't get any sort of illness, you have no rights what so ever. You are at the mercy of whichever individual deals with your medical renewal.

 

[Minxy]

While it's a nuisance to go through for many the point is to remove unsafe drivers so they are stopped from driving altogether (eg very bad eyesight), or reduce the size of what others can drive to a safer weight. Contentious no doubt to some but it's not there just to annoy you.

 

[Phill D]

It's not the reason for the checks or the frequency of them.
It's the inept and incompetent way in which they process the applications. There appears to be little to no management control over the process.
The type of response you get is very random.

 

[WildBunch]

I have copied this (part only) from another thread "UP Plating". as this seems a more suitable place.

I completed the necessary D2/D4 forms & applied for my C1 licence (at 70) the 1st week of March 2021. The health questionnaire was completed by D4drivers. Whilst I do have several medical issues, these are well controlled & at no time have I been told that I can't drive by my doctors. I have even had a letter from the DVLA to say I meet their medical standards to drive with a ICD (defibrillator) fitted. They then issued my new licence without the C1 status as requested. I promptly returned the licence & requested they add the C1 noting they have not given any reason as to why the C1 was not issued, which seems contrary to their previous letter.
Almost 5 months later they sent me the licence back, but without the C1 & any explanation or acknowledgement of my letter ! I returned the licence for a second time, with yet another letter outlining all the relevant points & correspondence.
I have given up in phoning the DVLA as they do not reply. Whilst I am happy that I am covered to drive under section 88, this cannot go on for ever & I cannot drive outside the UK.
My problem is, due to the lack of feedback from the DVLA I don't know where I stand about my C1 entitlement. I know that I am not the only person who are suffering at the hands of the DVLA. I still await DVLA to reply.
Am I right to expect the DVLA to give me their reason for not granting my C1 entitlement.

 

[Monty777]

Hmmm, interesting reading, I am waiting for my license to come back from DVLA-8 weeks now-and that is just the standard license without C1!
I decided not to renew the C1 this time as we have changed our MH from a large Hymer to a Hymer Exsis via a PVC. My Mrs didn’t feel confident in driving the old Hymer-too big for her-so we downsized to a PVC which we didn’t get on with-not enough storage space-so went back to a Hymer but a 3500kg one with 800kg of carrying capacity.
I should have been able to renew online but the website kept telling me it was unavailable which I think I have worked out was because my passport had expired-I applied by post for both passport and license at the same time-passport is back-no trace of license-I have contacted DVLA via email-not holding-my breath for any response…….

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[WildBunch]

Hi Monyt777.
Just so I understand your post what is "PVC" in the context of your post . Which Hymer model did you finally select. A 800 kg payload seems great.
When we decided to change from our first MH (Swift) to a Hymer in 2018 we initially looked at the Exsis I 588, which is a great MH, with a very workable payload at 3500 Kg. But then we were shown the Exsis I 678, this is slightly longer and offered a better layout that suited our needs. So we were determined to get a 678, which can be plated at 3500 KG, but this is very limited payload. So we ordered it initially plated at 3850 kg with a view to down plating to 3500 kg as required if I loose my C1. I now have the necessary paperwork from SV Tech to down plate to 3500 kg. All I have to do is stick the new weight plate inside the van & re tax to suit the new weight category. As you will appreciate I am very reluctant to down plate the MH until I have exhausted all options with the DVLA.

Are there other Funsters who have lost their C1, did you get any explanation as to why it was refused. Or did they just send a new licence without the C1, as in my case.

 

[Monty777]

Hi Monyt777.
Just so I understand your post what is "PVC" in the context of your post . Which Hymer model did you finally select. A 800 kg payload seems great.
When we decided to change from our first MH (Swift) to a Hymer in 2018 we initially looked at the Exsis I 588, which is a great MH, with a very workable payload at 3500 Kg. But then we were shown the Exsis I 678, this is slightly longer and offered a better layout that suited our needs. So we were determined to get a 678, which can be plated at 3500 KG, but this is very limited payload. So we ordered it initially plated at 3850 kg with a view to down plating to 3500 kg as required if I loose my C1. I now have the necessary paperwork from SV Tech to down plate to 3500 kg. All I have to do is stick the new weight plate inside the van & re tax to suit the new weight category. As you will appreciate I am very reluctant to down plate the MH until I have exhausted all options with the DVLA.

Are there other Funsters who have lost their C1, did you get any explanation as to why it was refused. Or did they just send a new licence without the C1, as in my case.

PVC-panel van conversion-in our case an Autosleeper Warwick Duo-really nice van, easy to drive and park, but limited storage-we always took too much stuff anyway since we had the space, water capacity was a bit limiting at 60ltr fresh and 40ltr grey, but the main thing was the setting up and putting away of the bed. We were used to having a fixed bed we could fall into when tired and climb out of in the morning and that is what we went back to. Hymer Exsis I 414, 5.99 meters long, fixed transverse rear double bed and a drop down double, large fridge/freezer, full oven and grill, 100ltr fresh and 100ltr grey water, big garage we can fit a motorcycle or both our pushbikes in-suits us fine.
Funnily enough my new licence arrived this morning-so, 8-9 weeks wait, should be standard licence without C1, checked it carefully to ensure my motorcycle entitlement was still there which it is, and so is C1! So, 73 years old (tomorrow) no medical, and I now have C1 for another 3 years-you couldn’t make it up!

 

[LaughingPlumber]

I too have an ICD fitted, and on my last licence renewal I was informed the "Although you are not required to take an HGV medical, your are expected to meet the standards of one. As you are precluded from taking such a medical with an ICD fitted, you are therefore unable to have a C1 enitlement". Slam dunk, no appeal. Fortunately our AS Devon had 450kg payload on the weighbridge with driver in, although now replaced with Hymer ML-T 580 downrated by SV Tech, but still with similar payload. Now very picky about everything that we put on board.

 

[LouthMick]

** UPDATE **

Had the D4 medical at this place a few days ago > https://www.barnetby-medical-centre.co.uk/hgv-medical-grimsby/

Went through with no issues - even eyesight was good to drive without glasses, although I do wear varifocals to help with seeing the Satnav.

D2 and D4 complete and now in the post on the way to DVLA.