Driving for the over 70s (1 Viewer)

Michael-D

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Aug 27, 2014
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I will reach 70 next April and my driving licence will expire. I believe that renewal depends on my health and state of mind. Are there any others who are of the same vintage who have had either a positive or negative outcome to this situation?
Who decides whether you are fit enough in mind and body, to continue driving? Is it just a note from your doctor or does one have to retake the driving test?
 

john kyte

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Dec 17, 2013
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No,, you dont need a note from your doctor
No retest
You just fill in the renewal form yourself
So if you are walking and breathing you shouldnt have a problem
 

DJA

Mar 5, 2011
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The answer to your questions needs some answers first.

Are you only needing your licence to cover you for a vehicle which is not over 3.5T then you can renew your licence online if you have a fairly recent passport or a picture licence. If so you can go on line and renew your licence which will have your passort or driving licence photo on it. You have to tick a box stating you are fit.

The new licence will not have the C1 and C1E catagories on it you currently have, if you passed your test before 1997, which give you cover for over 3.5T up to around 8T. It will have B and B+E on it which covers you up to 3.5T plus towing over 750KG up to the towing capacity of the vehicle you are driving.

If you need to retain your C1 and C1+E then you have to take a medical, usually your normal doctor, who will fill in the necessary medical form for you to submit with your licenece application . You can make your application up to 90 days before your old one expires.

You have to renew your licence every 3 years after with, if needed, a medical for over 3.5T

Doug

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old-mo

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If you are going to keep, or want to keep your C1of E entitlement to drive up to 7.5 ton or 8.25 combined with a trailer..

You will need a full medical from your doctor and an eye test from an independant eye optician if your doctor does not have the qualifications set down by the DVLA..

Get your forms in at least 2 - 3 months before your birthday, and recoeded delivery any thing you send and photo copy same.. (y)

Doug beat me to it..
 
Sep 10, 2013
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The answer to your questions needs some answers first.

Are you only needing your licence to cover you for a vehicle which is not over 3.5T then you can renew your licence online if you have a fairly recent passport or a picture licence. If so you can go on line and renew your licence which will have your passort or driving licence photo on it. You have to tick a box stating you are fit.

The new licence will not have the C1 and C1E catagories on it you currently have, if you passed your test before 1997, which give you cover for over 3.5T up to around 8T. It will have B and B+E on it which covers you up to 3.5T plus towing over 750KG up to the towing capacity of the vehicle you are driving.

If you need to retain your C1 and C1+E then you have to take a medical, usually your normal doctor, who will fill in the necessary medical form for you to submit with your licenece application . You can make your application up to 90 days before your old one expires.

You have to renew your licence every 3 years after with, if needed, a medical for over 3.5T

Doug
A question comes to mind, if you reach 70 and your present vehicle is under 3.5 tonne from the above it seems that all you need to do is complete the form. Thereby losing the higher weight eating. If you then change vehicles to over 3.5 tonne, how difficult would it be to get the licence upgrade back? Just a medical or more?
 

old-mo

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A question comes to mind, if you reach 70 and your present vehicle is under 3.5 tonne from the above it seems that all you need to do is complete the form. Thereby losing the higher weight eating. If you then change vehicles to over 3.5 tonne, how difficult would it be to get the licence upgrade back? Just a medical or more?

Retest... :(

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Feb 22, 2008
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If you wish to maintain your current licence status the forms you need are D2 which you order online from DVLA and D4 (medical Examination) which is down loadable from the DVLA website, this also includes eye test.
This is repeated every three years.

I have just completed mine and am awaiting the outcome, although renewal is not due until 2nd Nov, you can apply up to 90 days ahead.

Getting old can be a nuisance but the alternative is final :Eeek::wink:
 

Ivory55

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I do not know how much your dr charges for medicals but on some of the hgv forums there are places that do the medical at better rates. Our dr wants £120 and tells you when he will do it , not at a time that suits you.
 

laneside

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If you do not want to retain your C1 andC1e then just before your big 70 the DVLA will send you without asking a D46P form to fill in and no medical is required. If you want to drive over 3500Kg then it is previous posts

Incidentally an appointment at our doctors required a months notice and they charged a whacking £135 which is the most expensive I have heard of as yet

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John & Joan

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If you are over 70 and feel you would not pass a medical for C1+E then are you actually fit to drive? It is not that bad but does cost. I am happy to submit myself for medical every 3 years. 70, 73, 76, 79, 82, 85, 88, 91, 94, 97, 100 then I might think about taking easy at 103.
 

john kyte

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Dec 17, 2013
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If you do not want to retain your C1 andC1e then just before your big 70 the DVLA will send you without asking a D46P form to fill in and no medical is required. If you want to drive over 3500Kg then it is previous posts

Incidentally an appointment at our doctors required a months notice and they charged a whacking £135 which is the most expensive I have heard of as yet

My doctor wanted £160 7 yrs ago thats why I cant drive over 3.5 ton now

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Aug 18, 2011
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I do not know how much your dr charges for medicals but on some of the hgv forums there are places that do the medical at better rates. Our dr wants £120 and tells you when he will do it , not at a time that suits you.

£60 at our local HGV driving school. BUSBY:)
 

keith

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A question comes to mind, if you reach 70 and your present vehicle is under 3.5 tonne from the above it seems that all you need to do is complete the form. Thereby losing the higher weight eating. If you then change vehicles to over 3.5 tonne, how difficult would it be to get the licence upgrade back? Just a medical or more?
Retest... :(

No Mo, I have done it, no retest needed.
First time at 70 gave up my C1 because van 3500. Subsequently up rated van and asked DVLA if I could take medical and get C1 back. No problems sent me the forms, had medical and now have C1 back.

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old-mo

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Sorry.... I stand to be corrected... :(

Ididn`t know that,,(y),,,, I was always led to believe if you let your C1 of E lapse or not renew you were considered a new driver... :rolleyes:

 

cydersyd

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With regard to the above.

I shall become 70 in late March 2015. At that time I will be in Spain and unlikely to return until late April early May.
Does this mean I will need to complete the required forms before I leave in January and have to have the new licence with me?

Thanks
 

vwalan

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yes you must apply early . your licence runs out at 70 . you can apply early for it .

you can apply two months early for a new licence .
get on the ball before you leave .

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DJA

Mar 5, 2011
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Think you can apply up to 90 days in advance. The DVLA don't tend to send you the forms until about 2 months before your current one expires. If you do not need to retain the C1 and C1E categories and can manage with up to 3.5 T and unlimited towing weight (B and B+E) you can apply online.
 

keith

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My birthday is in April so had to apply early before we left for our winter away. So my license now expires 9th December 2016 and I will receive the renewal papers in October giving me time to have medical & renew each time it comes up.
 

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