C1 Medical delays (2 Viewers)

[hblewett]

It's now 5 months since I sent off my 'post 70' driving licence application, and like all others seeking a C1 renewal have been told that they can't book medical examinations at present. I want to go abroad over the winter, leaving in November ro early December - does anyone have any info/latest experience on whether DVLA have started moving on this front, or not please?

 

[Hils and Glenns]

My husband got his licence through on Saturday. He first applied in April.
He had his medical with drivers 4 you in July. He would normally have to do the stress test at the hospital but the DVLA contacted his GP instead. The new licence is only for a year but at least it runs from the end of September. So not too bad considering.
You can drive anyway if your application is already in but we wouldn't want to go abroad unless we had an actual licence but I know some do.

 

[hblewett]

Thanks - I shall remain hopeful, and write to my MP to see if he will give it a push.

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[sweetie]

My husband got his licence through on Saturday. He first applied in April.
He had his medical with drivers 4 you in July. He would normally have to do the stress test at the hospital but the DVLA contacted his GP instead. The new licence is only for a year but at least it runs from the end of September. So not too bad considering.
You can drive anyway if your application is already in but we wouldn't want to go abroad unless we had an actual licence but I know some do.

Same here my licence arrived last week but only for 1 year. And they are accepting your medical you have all ready had next year.

 

[jollyrodger]

A little info here , don't know if it's helpful to the op https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/renew-your-driving-licence-70-plus

 

[Hils and Glenns]

Thanks - I shall remain hopeful, and write to my MP to see if he will give it a push.

Probably best to phone DVLA. You get through to the medical department fairly quickly.

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[pandas]

You will have given a 1 year auto renewal. Plus, I believe, as long as you have passed the medical and sent it off you are legal. ThTs my interpretation it I am usually wrong! 6 months doesn’t seem right - within the same time period mine came back I. 2 weeks.

 

[hblewett]

I did write to my MP and .... low and behold ACTION! DVLA got back to me within a few days with a letter saying I have to take the stress test (as last time). Rang today for an appointment but consultant's secretary noy available till Monday.

OH sent her application off about four weeks ago. Nothing to declare medically, no medications (other than a glass - or two - of red) when not driving. Her licence came back within two weeks. It took them nearly 4 weeks to even open my envelope, so things are improving!!!!!!

 

[gus-lopez]

I did write to my MP and .... low and behold ACTION! DVLA got back to me within a few days with a letter saying I have to take the stress test (as last time). Rang today for an appointment but consultant's secretary noy available till Monday.

OH sent her application off about four weeks ago. Nothing to declare medically, no medications (other than a glass - or two - of red) when not driving. Her licence came back within two weeks. It took them nearly 4 weeks to even open my envelope, so things are improving!!!!!!

& now they have shut down again due to the welsh closure

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[denisejoe]

& now they have shut down again due to the welsh closure

They haven't shut down - just working from home again I would have thought.

 

[wiljoy]

I received my annual application forms to renew my hgv class 1 licence last week. They included the D4 medical forms but they don't need to be completed due to Covid. DVLA are extending licences for 12 months without the usual medical.
My new licence arrived yesterday.

 

[gus-lopez]

They haven't shut down - just working from home again I would have thought.

Online is ok , as long as you stick to the 7am -7pm
Anything that requires input from a person is suspended until the end of the welsh lockdown.

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[bobnick]

Sounds like i am not going to get my V5 any time soon, it's only been 3 months thus far so maybe by Christmas................what year i don't know.

 

[pelican]

I did write to my MP and .... low and behold ACTION! DVLA got back to me within a few days with a letter saying I have to take the stress test (as last time). Rang today for an appointment but consultant's secretary noy available till Monday.

OH sent her application off about four weeks ago. Nothing to declare medically, no medications (other than a glass - or two - of red) when not driving. Her licence came back within two weeks. It took them nearly 4 weeks to even open my envelope, so things are improving!!!!!!

Please could you kindly explain what the stress test is for and what it requires.

 

[hblewett]

It's otherwise known as an exercise ECG. They wire you up as they do for an ordinary ECG then you have to go on a treadmill - 3 minutes at a slow rate, 3 minutes faster with an increased gradient then a final 3 minutes at a further increased gradient. As with any ECG they look at the reults and decide if you're OK or not. It's called a Bruce Protocol Test and as well as testing if your heart is OK it is used for elite atheletes - but at the higher levels ... it has 7 in all!

If you're seriously not OK they will stop the test before you do yourself a mischief.

If you Google the 'Bruce Protocol Test' and 'exercise stress test' etc you'll learn all about it.

If you pass it you can drive a bus or fly an aeroplane --- in the same way Eric Morecambe could play the piano!

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[bobnick]

Had that test a few times over the years and still can't fly a plane.

 

[bobnick]

D4 medical done this am and all good. Butchers and dog spring to mind.
Monday will send all the paperwork off to our friends in Swansea,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and then, the long wait for the C1 to arrive.......inshallah.

 

[sedge]

Pete had his medical the other day, he's 73 in January so hence needs to renew his C1 again.

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[pw9crab]

Hi did eye test Thursday medical Saturday sent forms to Swansea same day 2 weeks later lic back yesterday

 

[hblewett]

Following my MP chasing up DVLA I received letter asking me to contact the consultant's secretary at the hospital. Yes, she had also received a letter from DVLA but the private hospital weren't doing the stress tests so she would ask if it can be done at the NHS hospital. To my surprise, yesterday, just as I was about to chase them up I received a call to make a booking! It's in early December and I have to go for s covid test 3 days before and self-isolate until I go for the stress test. All being well I should have a licence 6-7 months after applying - ready to head abroad whenever we're allowed!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Following my MP chasing up DVLA I received letter asking me to contact the consultant's secretary at the hospital. Yes, she had also received a letter from DVLA but the private hospital weren't doing the stress tests so she would ask if it can be done at the NHS hospital. To my surprise, yesterday, just as I was about to chase them up I received a call to make a booking! It's in early December and I have to go for s covid test 3 days before and self-isolate until I go for the stress test. All being well I should have a licence 6-7 months after applying - ready to head abroad whenever we're allowed!

I am guessing it is one thing that heart consultants can do. You don't need an inpatient bed or ICU care. I hope you get the treadmill rather than the ultrasound on a reclining bicycle that I got !

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[acropolis22]

I'm a bit confused by all this talk of stress tests and medicals. On gov.uk it states that over 70's licences are to be automatically extended for 1year. Have I misunderstood?

 

[Riverbankannie]

I'm a bit confused by all this talk of stress tests and medicals. On gov.uk it states that over 70's licences are to be automatically extended for 1year. Have I misunderstood?

It says all licences but I imagine this press release passed many by as it did me. It still might be tricky when travelling abroad though as you have to produce a valid licence if asked.

Expired driving licences automatically extended by 11 months

Photocard licences or entitlement to drive that expires between 1 February and 31 December 2020 have been extended for 11 months from the date of expiry.

www.gov.uk

 

[hblewett]

I think that may apply to people over 70 (or even under if they are doing the 10 year renewal) who want an ordinary 'car' licence but have medical problems to declare, and 'working' lorry and bus drivers who all have to have a medical whether they have health 'history' or not.

Those with grandfather/mother C1 rights are, I believe, considered as unimportantl and therefore largely ignored, so don't [well certainly I didn't] get the 1 year extension.

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[acropolis22]

I certainly agree that C1 entitlement is pretty low down the priorities list for DVLA, but the website seems pretty clear that ANY expiring licence is automatically extended for 1 year.

 

[sweetie]

Mine was due end of September had medical and sent off all paper work and received a licence back for 1 year with a following letter stating they would use this years medical when i apply next year. Three years ago i had to have the treadmill stress test but this time my doctor put on medical unable to do treadmill owing to arthritis in knee, so will see what happens next year.

 

[Lenny HB]

It says all licences but I imagine this press release passed many by as it did me. It still might be tricky when travelling abroad though as you have to produce a valid licence if asked.

Expired driving licences automatically extended by 11 months

Photocard licences or entitlement to drive that expires between 1 February and 31 December 2020 have been extended for 11 months from the date of expiry.

www.gov.uk

It's an EU thing, licence renewed for a year but no new licence issued. So traveling abroad you will be OK until 31st Dec after that we are no longer in the EU.

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[bobnick]

Can only speak for my experience.
I let my C1 entitlement lapse Dec last at 70 as i didn't think i would need it again.
Ok course it do.
Made inquiries to have the C1 reinstated.
Was told that a medical was needed.
That was done yesterday by D4D in Chester, very simple and took about 15 mins max. Mainly eyesight and a Few questions on medication etc.
D4 and D2 forms now complete and will be sent off to DVLA tomorrow to have the C1 reinstated. Of course i am expecting a long wait, however i am advised that as i have passed the medical i am allowed to drive up to 7500 Ks.
The D2 and D4 forms were collected from my local village post office. tomorrow to have the C1 reinstated.

 

[pw9crab]

Yes this is what I did thinking at 70 I would not need c1 but things change so got medical and eyes test sent forms of to my surprise just over 2 weeks license back for 3 years

 

[hblewett]

Mine was due end of September had medical and sent off all paper work and received a licence back for 1 year with a following letter stating they would use this years medical when i apply next year. Three years ago i had to have the treadmill stress test but this time my doctor put on medical unable to do treadmill owing to arthritis in knee, so will see what happens next year.

I think you'll find there is a way they can give you drugs which will simulate the effects of stress on your heart, then they do the same monitoring with the ECG

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