I am over 80 and need a new plastic licence and a C1/D2 licence

rosalan

rosalan

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Reading the literature available, over 80s require a doctor to state I am fit to drive and get a new plastic licence but I will also need a C1 D2 licence to drive my 3.5 plus motorhome at the same time. I have previously used the doctors for HGV etc, will I need to see my own doctor in addition or can the HGV doctor do both?
I have been looking for new insurance cover also, as my previous insurer no longer covers 80+. A fascinating search with initially only two quotes 1400pounds then 2600pounds (previously 450). A second search with another search engine brought the 1400 pounds down to 800, with the same company, fascinating.
 
pappajohn I agree with you but the wording on the 80+ test seemed to go further than the old eye test etc the old peripatetic docs gave, which was much kinder on my pocket.
 
Agreed, it will include things like a stress treadmill test as well as an eye test Etc..but not like reading a chart at the opticians.
It's a specialist medical test not just your doc saying your ok to drive.
If you have ANY health issues they will flag against you until proved otherwise.
Incidentally, D4Drivers charge £58 and have 150+ centers throughout the UK.
You only have to book an appointment at your nearest
 
rosalan said:
Reading the literature available, over 80s require a doctor to state I am fit to drive and get a new plastic licence but I will also need a C1 D2 licence to drive my 3.5 plus motorhome at the same time. I have previously used the doctors for HGV etc, will I need to see my own doctor in addition or can the HGV doctor do both?
I have been looking for new insurance cover also, as my previous insurer no longer covers 80+. A fascinating search with initially only two quotes 1400pounds then 2600pounds (previously 450). A second search with another search engine brought the 1400 pounds down to 800, with the same company, fascinating.
Click to expand...

From the highlighted wording above I wonder if you are still driving HGV? If so your 'C' licence covers you for C1/D1.

If not 'C' licence then to get C1 the medical is exactly the same medical for all Categories of licence up tp 'C'. So you can use the same doctors. No need to go to your own doctor.

The Dr. cannot approve you to drive. The doctor has to fill in form D4 Medical and submit it to DVLA, who review it and say yea or nea, with maybe a referral to their Medical Dept., which can cause delays, so I recommend youapply early, up to 3 months before expiry is allowed( Medical can be 4 months before expiry.

Despite what pappajohn says, a stress treadmill test is not required for the medical, but DVLA may later require it if necessary.

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I think eye testing will be tightened up for over 70s..Reckon they be demanding a full test from an optician....Be a good thing I reckon..I know a couple of friends over 70 that have cataracts and have been told they need operating on ..I know their eye sight is rubbish but they still drive..Frightening...BUSBY.
 
nicholsong said:
Despite what @pappajohn says, a stress treadmill test is not required for the medical, but DVLA may later require it if necessary.
Click to expand...
My mistake.

What I don't understand, at 80 this should be your 3rd review unless the old paper licence is for life....in which case I would just continue with it.
 
busby said:
I think eye testing will be tightened up for over 70s..Reckon they be demanding a full test from an optician....Be a good thing I reckon..I know a couple of friends over 70 that have cataracts and have been told they need operating on ..I know their eye sight is rubbish but they still drive..Frightening...BUSBY.
Click to expand...

When you write about eye test and tightening it up I assume youare talking about the D4 medical for a C1 and above licence, because anyone over 70 only wanting to renew a B licence only has to self-declare with no tests required. The friends you mention, are they driving on B or C1 licences?

An eye test alone would not necessarily show cataracts. I started to develop a cataract between D4 medicals but saw no deterioration. It was spotted on an examination for new glasses.

If DVLA required examination results to be submitted would their average clerk be able to interpret them, or would they all be sent off to the Medical Dept.? No licences would be issued for years.

Be careful what you wish for.

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pappajohn said:
Agreed, it will include things like a stress treadmill test as well as an eye test Etc..but not like reading a chart at the opticians.
It's a specialist medical test not just your doc saying your ok to drive.
If you have ANY health issues they will flag against you until proved otherwise.
Incidentally, D4Drivers charge £58 and have 150+ centers throughout the UK.
You only have to book an appointment at your nearest
Click to expand...
If you go on line you can get a discount for d4 drivers
 
nicholsong said:
When you write about eye test and tightening it up I assume youare talking about the D4 medical for a C! and above licence, because anyone over 70 only wanting to renew a B licence only has to self-declare with no tests required. The friends you mention, are they driving on B or C1 licences?

An eye test alone would not necessarily show cataracts. I started to develop a cataract between D4 medicals but saw no deterioration but it was spotted on an examination for new glasses.

If DVLA required examination results to be submitted would their average clerk be able to interpret them, or would they all be sent off to the Medical Dept.? No licences would be issued for years.

Be careful what you wish for.

Be
Click to expand...
That's where I think the Licencing Authorities need to tighten up...Think a full Opticians Eye test should be carried out with a full report warts and all.
Better to be held up than allowing people with terrible eyesight on the road..One of my friends is honestly blind as a bat..She could have had the operation last year but was frightened..I told her she frightens me driving.Had one on Facebook last week that because nerves affected a guys blood pressure when he went for medical at his doctors he was allowed to do it at home and photograph it.All well and good BUT wide open for fiddling to keep your licence..Its a day we all dread but with the amount of traffic on our roads and the appalling standard of driving I thing that over 70 the more vigilance the better...My mother decided at 84 it was time to pack up when she collided with a parked car in The Coop broke her sisters shoulder and wrote hers and the parked car off..She actually wanted to buy another car but I grounded her
.BUSBY
 
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Yes we have used D4Drivers the last few times since our 90quid doctor refused to do tests. I think they have always been in rented hotel rooms but as I passed, they were excellent.
pappajohn said:
I think I've got the wrong end of the stick
I assumed you had a paper licence as you said you now need a PLASTIC licence.
This should be your 4th application but first at 80+
Click to expand...
Hi . I have normal plastic d.l. I also need my 7.5 licence for ..the motorhome renewing at the same time. I had not been aware of the 80 plus licence until today. I suppose the two tests can be done together. I will book early. Thank you all for your support. Alan
 
We just helped my father renew his car licence... 94 and blind as a bat with cataracts... when asked to sign in the box he said "what box"!
No, there's zero chance of him driving, but it's the easiest way to keep a photo ID; passports are expensive!
 
rosalan said:
. I had not been aware of the 80 plus licence
Click to expand...
Never heard of that and nothing on the DVLA site.

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rosalan said:
rase statw what kiterature tou have been reading and by whom it was published. over 80s require a doctor to state I am fit to drive and get a new plastic licence but I will also need a C1 D2 licence to drive my 3.5 plus motorhome at the same time. I have previously used the doctors for HGV etc, will I need to see my own doctor in addition or can the HGV doctor do both?
I have been looking for new insurance cover also, as my previous insurer no longer covers 80+. A fascinating search with initially only two quotes 1400pounds then 2600pounds (previously 450). A second search with another search engine brought the 1400 pounds down to 800, with the same company, fascinating.
Click to expand...

Please state what literature you are reading and by whom it was published and the date published
Lenny HB said:
Never heard of that and nothing on the DVLA site.
Click to expand...

Lenny, neither have I.

I last renewed m y UK C1 Licencefor the fifth time and it was issued on 22.02.2024, just 3 week shy of my 82nd birthday. I had just submitted the D2/D4, same as every other renewal. [I was looking at my licence as I typed]


Is it just possible that if one is only renewing a B licence, for which one has to make a self-declaration at 70, there is an additional requirement at age 80. If so I have never heard of it.

Alternatively has @rosalan(OP) been sent a requirement from DVLA which is personal to him? No doubt he will answer these questions.

Geoff
 
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rosalan said:
Reading the literature available, over 80s require a doctor to state I am fit to drive and get a new plastic licence but I will also need a C1 D2 licence to drive my 3.5 plus motorhome at the same time. I have previously used the doctors for HGV etc, will I need to see my own doctor in addition or can the HGV doctor do both?
I have been looking for new insurance cover also, as my previous insurer no longer covers 80+. A fascinating search with initially only two quotes 1400pounds then 2600pounds (previously 450). A second search with another search engine brought the 1400 pounds down to 800, with the same company, fascinating.
Click to expand...
I am on my 3rd C1 licence, and do everything I can to make the D4drivers exam seamless,
I arrange an eye test with specsavers, just before the D4Drivers appointment
i take my own BP for three consecutive days before the D4drivers appt,
and have my cardiologist check up a few weeks earlier, so I have a letter from him to add to the DVLA application.
do all this as near the D4D appt as possible, and the information is all up to date and current
I have found this has helped the process run a little quicker :innocent: ::bigsmile:
 
rosalan said:
Reading the literature available, over 80s require a doctor to state I am fit to drive and get a new plastic licence but I will also need a C1 D2 licence to drive my 3.5 plus motorhome at the same time. I have previously used the doctors for HGV etc, will I need to see my own doctor in addition or can the HGV doctor do both?
I have been looking for new insurance cover also, as my previous insurer no longer covers 80+. A fascinating search with initially only two quotes 1400pounds then 2600pounds (previously 450). A second search with another search engine brought the 1400 pounds down to 800, with the same company, fascinating.
Click to expand...
I really sympathise with your predicament, to be old these days, we seem to be constantly under a spotlight of persecution, probably sparked by an older person causing an accident of some magnitude. We did need a change of government after all those years, of neglect, but who do you vote for these days, this ones certainly doing us no favours it would appear.
On a brighter note I'd just like to add that at 77 and realising that my vision was getting worse, with the onset of cataracts, afraid of the op, decide to bite the bullet and I was directed to Spa medica, which was private medicine used by the NHS, especially for cataracts absolutely brilliant, the best Christmas present I've ever had, amazing, 2 yrs later it still is, vision is everything for your confidence especially in driving. I no longer winter abroad since the pandemic but enjoy travelling in my motorhome in this country with myself and my dog.
 
I too had both cataracts removed just after I turned 80. It was the best decision ever. I couldn't believe how different the world we live in looked afterwards. I had always assumed my eye sight was ok - albeit with specs. However, everything looked so much brighter, bluer and sparklingly clear. So much so that, it took me a few days to get over the glare. Mine were done at a private facility...courteous of the NHS and I couldn't believe how easy it was. 20 mins each eye and totally painless. If you have them I would get them done asap...it will transform your life! I no longer need specs either.
 
nicholsong said:
Please state what literature you are reading and by whom it was published and the date published


Lenny, neither have I.

I last renewed m y UK C1 Licencefor the fifth time and it was issued on 22.02.2024, just 3 week shy of my 82nd birthday. I had just submitted the D2/D4, same as every other renewal. [I was looking at my licence as I typed]


Is it just possible that if one is only renewing a B licence, for which one has to make a self-declaration at 70, there is an additional requirement at age 80. If so I have never heard of it.

Alternatively has @rosalan(OP) been sent a requirement from DVLA which is personal to him? No doubt he will answer these questions.

Geoff
Click to expand...
No. I am 85 this year with no known health problems to affect my driving. Driving a heavier vehicle (3.8) I need the C1 D2 forms again but this time with the addition of the over 80 tests it looks like doing it twice or will they be be one and the same tests as before. I am not really sure of anything except when directed by my PC to new (to me) tests for over 80s
Thank you all for advice and opinions :clap2:

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rosalan said:
but this time with the addition of the over 80 tests
Click to expand...
Do you have a link to these tests Alan.
Nobody appears to know anything about them, even those who renewed recently at 80 plus.
I can't find anything about it on Google or the DVLA website.
I have the feeling someone's winding you up.
 
I did find this but from 70, not 80.....

The government recently set out a detailed action plan to address road safety issues. This may have an impact on our elderly loved ones and their ability to maintain independence. The plan means drivers over 70 may be required to take regular eyesight tests every three years, in order to maintain their licenses.

careline.co.uk

Change In The Law For Elderly Drivers?

The government has set out a detailed action plan to address road safety issues. This may have an impact on our elderly loved ones and their ability to maintain independence. The plan means drivers over 70 may be required to take regular eyesight tests every three years, in order to maintain...
careline.co.uk careline.co.uk
 
pappajohn said:
Do you have a link to these tests Alan.
Nobody appears to know anything about them, even those who renewed recently at 80 plus.
I can't find anything about it on Google or the DVLA website.
I have the feeling someone's winding you up.
Click to expand...
Try as I might, I too cannot find the article I read and reread. I was directed to it by headline items of the News. Did I panic, well yes I was certainly very concerned. I searched other sites for more information and found plenty of proposed actions but no dates for them to begin and had heard nothing on the news. Following the introduction of my thread, I got the feeling from other contributors that they also knew of the new tests.
Your questioning certainly has given me some hope it has not yet been introduced.
 
Since I was was 40 when my sight started to alter I have had an Eye check up every 3 years and since 75 have had a check up every year. This has shown that Cataracts are forming but unlikely to affect my sight until 90 but it has shown I am what they classify as Glaucoma risk in both eyes which will affect my licence. I am in hospital in about 6 weeks for laser surgery which will stop that problem hopefully. Now all this is free since getting to 65 because its on the NHS and using a good local Optometrist they can refer you to specialists when needed
 
Landy lover said:
Since I was was 40 when my sight started to alter I have had an Eye check up every 3 years and since 75 have had a check up every year. This has shown that Cataracts are forming but unlikely to affect my sight until 90 but it has shown I am what they classify as Glaucoma risk in both eyes which will affect my licence. I am in hospital in about 6 weeks for laser surgery which will stop that problem hopefully. Now all this is free since getting to 65 because its on the NHS and using a good local Optometrist they can refer you to specialists when needed
Click to expand...
Mine is standard two yearly free NHS eye test but a few years ago the optician said he would change it to annually due to diabetes.....it never happened
I also have an annual diabetic eye test but that is for diabetic problems, not general sight

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