I applied for my C1 renewal at the beginning of April and took a treadmill stress test on August 6th. I now have a letter from the DVLA asking me to have a DSE (dobutamine stress echocardiogram). The letter makes no reference to the previous treadmill test only stating that it is based on my medical history. Has anyone else been sent down this route? The consultant at the treadmill test said that the ECG had shown "some changes" during the test but did not expand on that. I thought the test went well but presumably this has caused the DVLA to want more tests. I've no idea what concerns they have or whether I should be worried about it. How do I find out? In the meantime my prediction of not getting my C1 renewed by Christmas (if at all!) looks like coming true!
My C1 renewal update
- Thread starter stevec
- Start date
Thanks. But I did the whole 9 minutes of the treadmill test. It was easier than I expected (and had trained for) as I was told to hold onto the front rail. Maybe I didnt get up to the target heart rate of 127. I think the max I did was 116 according to my Fitbit.
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Badknee
LIFE MEMBER
I’ve not had one but my wife who was in the job for 36 years refused to let me have one and Glenn Hils and Glenns stated he would never ever have another it made him so ill and he gave up on his C1. Good luck 
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I had a DSE last time. No issues whatsoever and far less stressful than nine minutes on a treadmill. I will have the same next time as I still can't do the treadmill test due to back problems.
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When I had a treadmill test the Consultant sent me a copy of the report sent the DVLA. These days I think you have a right to see your medical data. Perhaps ask your GP to request a copy of the report so that they can advise you.
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When I asked the consultants secretary about not being sent a copy of the report she said that he had just filled in the forms the DVLA had sent. No report of his conclusions was included (nor probably asked for?). I shall ask again!
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DVLA wrote to my Cardiologist on 22nd July and the reply has not even been sent as of today ! I understand that as DVLA pay the consultant so he and the secretary are not allowed to do any work on it during normal hours.
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Then I would ask dvla for a copy of the form that was sent to them.
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I already have a copy of the previous form which DVLA sent him. Choice of 4 boxes, tick yes or no and add a paragraph as a summary of his professional opinion! Simples!
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I had to ask for a copy of the consultants letter. You need to apply to DVLA under the freedom of information act. They have 30 days to respond and that is exactly how long it takes! Strange that!
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You need a copy of the form after he filled it in to see which boxes he ticked and what went into opinions box. Also if he attached a letter you need a copy of that.
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Well, another update. After doing my initial treadmill test I was asked to do a DSE test. Seems the first physical exercise one was not good enough. I had the DSE last week and the consultant said all was good with nothing to be concerned about. He had a copy of the original report from the treadmill test with a NO against "did the test meet DVLA criteria". My only conclusion is that my heart rate did not get up to the max (a result of them asking me to hold on to the hand rails so it made it easier...heart rate according to me only got to 115).
So I'm now awaiting an envelope from the DVLA with my license in it. Before Christmas? I doubt it!
So I'm now awaiting an envelope from the DVLA with my license in it. Before Christmas? I doubt it!
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"my heart rate did not get up to the max (a result of them asking me to hold on to the hand rails so it made it easier...heart rate according to me only got to 115)." penalised for being fitter than they expected?
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I had been training up for a year at the gym and could manage the whole 9 minutes with my heart rate reaching 128. So with respect to the treadmill test I may have been.
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Just out of curiosity, on the treadmill do you have to walk or run? In this woke life isn't this ageist?
I wonder how many under 70s would pass a treadmill test or a heart stress test
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I wonder how many under 70s would pass a treadmill test or a heart stress test
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Walk, 3min gentle speed gentle hill, 3 min a bit faster and steeper and finally 3min fast walk steep hill. Sounds easy but I found the last 3 minutes tough. You have to do the 9 minutes without showing signs of undue stress, they will stop it early if you heart goes outside acceptable parameters. They also monitor you as you recover.Just out of curiosity, on the treadmill do you have to walk or run? In this woke life isn't this ageist?
I wonder how many under 70s would pass a treadmill test or a heart stress test
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As a matter of interest did you hang onto the front rail? I trained up not holding on and is was asked to hold on for some reason. This made the test easier. If you have to do it without holding on the last section is a real struggle unless you have conditioned your body to do this exact test. Just walking flat doesn't do the right conditioning. You have to train up for the incline. I found a piece of pace music helped a lot. Not that that would have helped in the hospital test as they said I couldn't listen to music!
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They allowed me to listen through an earpiece to music and I found it much easier and the time seemed to pass quicker therefore less concentration on how many more minutes etc and thus less stress. I couldn't do one now though due to an arthritic knee so have requested the injection for the next test.
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- Aug 4, 2023
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Are these tests only needed if you renew at the age of 70 or over please ?
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Been though this test 3 times in 3 yearly intervals
not unpleasant or painful
you need have no concerns
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I had the Dobutamine test but they still couldn't get my heart rate over 98 bpm. So, they eventually gave me a further injection of a different chemical. That worked! I then thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest!
The test itself is nothing to be concerned about but in my case I had to have a double dose which, after about 30 seconds, felt as if my heart was doing 200bpm.
The consultant seemed pleased with the results. I achieved 40% higher result than the minimum required to pass. I requested the results from the DVLA which I downloaded. Yes, I got my C1 about a week after the test.
The test itself is nothing to be concerned about but in my case I had to have a double dose which, after about 30 seconds, felt as if my heart was doing 200bpm.
The consultant seemed pleased with the results. I achieved 40% higher result than the minimum required to pass. I requested the results from the DVLA which I downloaded. Yes, I got my C1 about a week after the test.
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Only if you want to hang on to your C1 part of the license which enables you to drive a vehicle over 3500kgs.
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A week! I hope mine is that quick! Frankly not expecting anything this side of Christmas now. But I'll wait to be surprised.
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The test is only required if you have certain health conditions that dvla considers a potential risk.
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I was really surprised how quickly it arrived - after waiting months for the test! Good luck.
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As my van is less than 3500kg and my licence expires mid Feb 2025 whilst we are in Spain I applied with a D2 form waiving the C1 entitlement. 2 days later I recieved a short term medical licence request , as a renewal for my licence ,which I filled in and submitted along with a letter advising I was temporarily waiving my C1 entitlement( and submitted a D2 form previously) as I needed a standard driving licence for our return from Spain at the end of March.
That was a week ago.
I had a D4drivers medical booked on Saturday and cleared that so will resubmit the D2 and D4 within the 4 months permitted from the date of the d4 medical, claiming my C1 entitlement.( in case we change the van) I have opted for the injection as I have an arthritic knee.
Will see what develops. We leave for Spain on the 3rd Jan
That was a week ago.
I had a D4drivers medical booked on Saturday and cleared that so will resubmit the D2 and D4 within the 4 months permitted from the date of the d4 medical, claiming my C1 entitlement.( in case we change the van) I have opted for the injection as I have an arthritic knee.
Will see what develops. We leave for Spain on the 3rd Jan
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