Im69 and getting concerned about reapplying for my C1 license .

[Margaux2]

I ve read some horror stories and confusing articles about this process can someone please clarify the following?
Should I have been renewing my C1 every 3 years after age45?
Do I need a consultant or just a GP letter to reapply before I’m 70?
I’ve not seen any treadmill facilities in our GP practise so how would this work
Would Specsavers be an adequate eyesight test?
How much is this likely to cost!
I won’t make the mistake of trying to do this on line as I understand if you do this they wipe the C1 category from your license!
Thanks in anticipation!

 

[PaulW2]

I ve read some horror stories and confusing articles about this process can someone please clarify the following?
Should I have been renewing my C1 every 3 years after age45?

No. If you didn't have grandfather rights, ie you acquired C1 after Jan 97, then your licence category from 45 would only have 5 years validity. You would need a medical every 5 years up to the age of 65, then annually.

If you did have grandfather rights, then 70 is the first renewal which needs the medical.

Do I need a consultant or just a GP letter to reapply before I’m 70?

I've previously used D4D for drivers medicals. This turned out to be much cheaper, quicker and easier than using my GP.

I used the GP once and they sent on a bunch of superfluous information which confused DVLA. This caused a delay until the right sort of specialist who could make sense of what the GP practice had sent on was available.

I’ve not seen any treadmill facilities in our GP practise so how would this work

Would Specsavers be an adequate eyesight test?

I think so. D4D also include an eyesight test.

How much is this likely to cost!

I think +/- £ 60?

I won’t make the mistake of trying to do this on line as I understand if you do this they wipe the C1 category from your license!
Thanks in anticipation!

 

[golly]

I shall be renewing my C1 licence for the third time next month at age 76. Medical taken at Doctors4drivers cost £58. I had an eye test last month at Vision express, shall take that prescription with me, you will still have to do a simple vision test at the medical. Get D2 application form and D4 medical report form from DVLA and fill them in prior to attending for medical. If you have no medical issues it should be straight forward, if you have medical issues, DVLA may require you to undergo further tests (tread mill etc).
Hope that helps

 

[carolyn]

No. If you didn't have grandfather rights, ie you acquired C1 after Jan 97, then your licence category from 45 would only have 5 years validity. You would need a medical every 5 years up to the age of 65, then annually.

If you did have grandfather rights, then 70 is the first renewal which needs the medical.

I've previously used D4D for drivers medicals. This turned out to be much cheaper, quicker and easier than using my GP.

I used the GP once and they sent on a bunch of superfluous information which confused DVLA. This caused a delay until the right sort of specialist who could make sense of what the GP practice had sent on was available.



I think so. D4D also include an eyesight test.

I think +/- £ 60?

That was useful. I didn’t realise the D4D included an eyetest. I thought you had to take an up to date report with you. Nick hits 70 soon so would need his first medical if we decide we need to up plate the van. Thank you.

Back in the dark ages when I did the medicals at the surgery we did a basic one with the Snellen charts. Plus a visual field check. I thought it might be more technical now!

 

[tacr2man]

If you get eyesight test done at opticians they can complete that part of DVLA form for eyesight then medical doesn't have to repeat the eyesight part when I have had HGV licence renewals . This also makes sure eyesight (with or without glasses) wont be a problem at medical, also if you have eyesight problem dont waste Medical cost .

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[carolyn]

I shall be renewing my C1 licence for the third time next month at age 76. Medical taken at Doctors4drivers cost £58. I had an eye test last month at Vision express, shall take that prescription with me, you will still have to do a simple vision test at the medical. Get D2 application form and D4 medical report form from DVLA and fill them in prior to attending for medical. If you have no medical issues it should be straight forward, if you have medical issues, DVLA may require you to undergo further tests (tread mill etc).
Hope that helps

Oh so you do need an up to date eye test as well!

 

[golly]

That was useful. I didn’t realise the D4D included an eyetest.

D4D will only do a snellen test they will need sight of a recent opticians prescription (at least that is my experience )

 

[Solwaybuggier]

If they decide at DVLA that you have to do a treadmill test, they arrange for it with a cardiologist. It's private work for the cardiologist, ie outside their NHS contract. Living in West Cumbria, there was at the time nowhere in the county that did this. I had to travel to Lancaster, about 85 miles each way! I had done plenty of practice in a local gym though.

 

[15isto2]

Oh so you do need an up to date eye test as well!

As I understand it you need to take a copy of your optical prescription if you have one, otherwise its jut a VA and Visual field test.

 

[TrudeandDall]

As I understand it you need to take a copy of your optical prescription if you have one, otherwise its jut a VA and Visual field test.

I did exactly this last week in prep for my C1 renewal, which is due in Early April. It was my first time using D4D, previously I used my GP and opticians for my 5 yearly renewal of my C+E (class 1 HGV)..
You must take your D4 form as well as the opticians prescription and any info on medication that you are taking. My eye prescription was from May 24, which wouldn't be in date for direct submission to the DVLA, (4 months maximum) but was okay for D4D to get the prescription info that they needed to supplement the eye chart test.
Cost was £58 and very efficient.

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[scotzsue]

I had my eye test done at specsavers and they filled in the form, I have 'needs to wear glasses for driving' on my licence so thought it made sense. Gp at that time was easily seen and only a few £ more than DforDrivers and walkable from the house so no travel expenses. Only renewed once and didn't have any problem.
We knew that coming up to next we both needed them at the same time so decided to bite the bullet and downsize to 3500, sometimes wish I hadn't but have never needed it either.
BIL is 80 next birthday, he has had heart surgery, still working full time needs licence for that. Each time he gets sent for a treadmill test, gets there to be told it is not suitable for him, this is despite this information being sent at time of renewel, than has to wait for another appointment for the test he has, only a few places in Scotland he can go to last time he was there 3 other people were in the same situation. Smacks of money for mates to me.

 

[Camdoon]

I don't need specs but went to SpecSavers the week before. The D4D doctor just ignored the results and did the eye test anyway. Bish, bash, bosh - 10 minutes and off you go but advised to double check all fields of the form had been completed before you leave. Great service.

 

[pappajohn]

No. If you didn't have grandfather rights, ie you acquired C1 after Jan 97, then your licence category from 45 would only have 5 years validity. You would need a medical every 5 years up to the age of 65, then annually.

If you did have grandfather rights, then 70 is the first renewal which needs the medical.

Let's correct that........

At 70 You only needed to renew your licence every 3 years UNLESS you use the C1 in a professional capacity.

An HGV C needs renewing every 5 years from 45.

At 65 it needs renewing every year.
Your licence is valid to 70 but renewed every 10 years.

You don't need any medical evidence or tests for your licence if not used for hire or reward.
If you want to retain your C1 category then you need a medical and eye test.

After 70 a normal car licence is renewed every 3 years but its free.

 

[the1andonly]

Having done it last week (Now waiting for DVLA) my experiance is recent
1 My GP practice wont do any DVLA work, ie wont fill in D4 but do respond to DVLA requests
2 There are 2 standards for eyesight tests one for Car and second HGV (C1)
3 Not all Specsavers can/will do the HGV test
4 In September i had my sight tested and was told I passed the DVLA requirement. (I thought this included the 2nd test)
5 D4 Doctor told me I passed car requirement but just failed the HGV so left the eyesight test and said get eyetest and glasses sorted
6 Specsavers branch that did test £25 test charge £15 to fill form.