Licence query

[Snowflakes]

Hi all
Something I never thought I would need again. Three years ago at 70 I lost my licence entitlements, thought nothing of it, however this year 73!!! Mel and I have just done a 7 week west country trip, the outcome, we have decided to spend much more time travelling throughout the whole year, but here is the rub, we want to get more living space inside, so it means a larger vehicle (over 3500) and layout, our Cipro 85 is fantastic, but a little cramped inside in the evenings, and we don't go to bed that early.

Before we set off this year I renewed my licence as we thought we may still be away and I did not want to be without, so on August 5th my new 3 years kick in.
I have tried to find out if I now take a medical and pass can I upgrade my licence to include C1. In my past life I held an HGV through test not just grandfather rights, but having exhausted the inter netty I can find no answer to that question, I contacted a company that do the medicals rather than wait two years for a doctors appointment, and they also did not know the answer.
In a last ditch effort I spent half a day trying to contact someone in the DVLA (ever tried that) total Joke, the nearest I got to an answer was a robot telling me to hold onto chat for over an hour, but someone will be with you soon.?
Finally I emailed the CEO of DVLA asking the question, but I found out she is far to busy to answer me, so a shout out for any info that may be able to help.

Thanks
John

 

[pappajohn]

You can apply at any time so long as you pass any medicals.
If there's any medical history they may require a stress test.
The companies who offer medicals are your easiest option and will be far cheaper than your GP.

 

[tonyidle]

Just fill in the forms, have the medical and send them in. I didn't bother renewing mine during lockdown then applied when it ended. No problem & no comments.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Send off on line for the D2 and D4 forms and get them completed by a D4 drivers doc at £55 .and apply to have your licence upped to include C1.
Worst case scenario if you have any prior medical issues is they wil want some further tests,IE treadmill for heart issues.

 

[Edenside]

I don’t necessarily need C1 but decided at 70 I would like to retain it. However with the DVLA backlog and needing my driving licence to go to Europe I applied on line at 70 for the normal licence (without C1) Once I received my licence I then applied for C1 with necessary forms and doctors medical. I did not send in my new driving licence with the application in case of delays but as I don’t have any medical problems I received a new licence including C1 within a couple of weeks.

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[Snowflakes]

I don’t necessarily need C1 but decided at 70 I would like to retain it. However with the DVLA backlog and needing my driving licence to go to Europe I applied on line at 70 for the normal licence (without C1) Once I received my licence I then applied for C1 with necessary forms and doctors medical. I did not send in my new driving licence with the application in case of delays but as I don’t have any medical problems I received a new licence including C1 within a couple of weeks.

Thank you all, this answer is close to where I am at and seems the way to go. But those who answered prior thank you, very helpful. John

 

[PP Bear]

I used these guys, but loads more through google if needed.

D4Drivers - The Only Trusted Driver Medical Provider

Trusted by leading industry bodies such as the RHA and the BWA. Trusted by over 10,000 drivers each month. Book today in under 60 seconds.

d4drivers.uk

 

[Goforit]

I am more or less in the same boat as snowflakes. In September 2070 at age 70 I let the C1 category lapse thinking I would not need it as my Hobby Optima de Luxe was weighbridged just under 3500 loaded for a trip.
Recently I weighed again to check what all my goodies bought since had added and was horrified to see I was 10% over even carrying no water or grandkids.
So I considered applying for a C1 and if ok getting the van uprated by SvTec. The fiat plate says 3650 anyway but I might be able to go even higher. It's either that or, even with a 500 kilo payload having to take only one of the following, awning, BBQ, Bike, or wife and grandkids. And drive on empty water tank and lowest possible diesel and beer. It's amazing how that payload disappears once you take into account passengers, fuel, roll out awnings, ovens, solar panels etc.
However I have just spoken to D4Drivers and they say that after 70 you need to reapply for C1 every year unlike the 3 years for B1.
Has anyone else come across this 1 year renewal thing?

 

[Goforit]

Should be September 2020 of course on first line

 

[The Dotties]

I am more or less in the same boat as snowflakes. In September 2070 at age 70 I let the C1 category lapse thinking I would not need it as my Hobby Optima de Luxe was weighbridged just under 3500 loaded for a trip.
Recently I weighed again to check what all my goodies bought since had added and was horrified to see I was 10% over even carrying no water or grandkids.
So I considered applying for a C1 and if ok getting the van uprated by SvTec. The fiat plate says 3650 anyway but I might be able to go even higher. It's either that or, even with a 500 kilo payload having to take only one of the following, awning, BBQ, Bike, or wife and grandkids. And drive on empty water tank and lowest possible diesel and beer. It's amazing how that payload disappears once you take into account passengers, fuel, roll out awnings, ovens, solar panels etc.
However I have just spoken to D4Drivers and they say that after 70 you need to reapply for C1 every year unlike the 3 years for B1.
Has anyone else come across this 1 year renewal thing?

I apply every year for C1 and PSV. D4D are correct

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[stevewagner]

I am more or less in the same boat as snowflakes. In September 2070 at age 70 I let the C1 category lapse thinking I would not need it as my Hobby Optima de Luxe was weighbridged just under 3500 loaded for a trip.
Recently I weighed again to check what all my goodies bought since had added and was horrified to see I was 10% over even carrying no water or grandkids.
So I considered applying for a C1 and if ok getting the van uprated by SvTec. The fiat plate says 3650 anyway but I might be able to go even higher. It's either that or, even with a 500 kilo payload having to take only one of the following, awning, BBQ, Bike, or wife and grandkids. And drive on empty water tank and lowest possible diesel and beer. It's amazing how that payload disappears once you take into account passengers, fuel, roll out awnings, ovens, solar panels etc.
However I have just spoken to D4Drivers and they say that after 70 you need to reapply for C1 every year unlike the 3 years for B1.
Has anyone else come across this 1 year renewal thing?

Should be three years unless you have notifiable health issues

 

[acropolis22]

Every 3 years as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Lenny HB]

I apply every year for C1 and PSV. D4D are correct

That is because of the PSV its every 3 years if only a C1.

 

[olley]

I am more or less in the same boat as snowflakes. In September 2070 at age 70 I let the C1 category lapse thinking I would not need it as my Hobby Optima de Luxe was weighbridged just under 3500 loaded for a trip.
Recently I weighed again to check what all my goodies bought since had added and was horrified to see I was 10% over even carrying no water or grandkids.
So I considered applying for a C1 and if ok getting the van uprated by SvTec. The fiat plate says 3650 anyway but I might be able to go even higher. It's either that or, even with a 500 kilo payload having to take only one of the following, awning, BBQ, Bike, or wife and grandkids. And drive on empty water tank and lowest possible diesel and beer. It's amazing how that payload disappears once you take into account passengers, fuel, roll out awnings, ovens, solar panels etc.
However I have just spoken to D4Drivers and they say that after 70 you need to reapply for C1 every year unlike the 3 years for B1.
Has anyone else come across this 1 year renewal thing?

If the fiat weight plate says 3650kg you shouldn't be driving it as you let your C1 lapse.

 

[Lenny HB]

If the fiat weight plate says 3650kg you shouldn't be driving it as you let your C1 lapse.

Depends what the Hobby plate and the V5 say, Fiat plate is ilrelavant, only one plate counts the final one fitted by the converter.

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[Goforit]

If the fiat weight plate says 3650kg you shouldn't be driving it as you let your C1 lapse.

But there’s a hobby plate at 3500 and the v5 says 3500 hence the need to get SbTec to arrange uprating

 

[JohnJW]

Hi All, can you tell me how long your C1 applications took, from posting till receiving.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Hi All, can you tell me how long your C1 applications took, from posting till receiving.

It depends if you have any prior medical conditions. If no medical issues the licence is issued reasonably quickly ,a few days to a couple of weeks.
Those with medical issues it can take 6 months and sometimes the C1 is only issued for a year.

 

[Goforit]

I haven’t applied yet, but from other posts on here (do a search to look) it seems to vary from a couple of weeks to several months. It seems to depend on how well the D4 is filled out and if there are any medical issues. And which shoot your application disappeared down at the DVLA!!

 

[fifthwheel]

I had a class one licence for 35 years but let it lapse. I needed my entitlements back so applied October last year with all the forms correct and a new medical exam. Five months later they sent me a licence for up to 7.5 ton trucks. I replied by return and eventually got my licence back with all my entitlements, it took eight months in total but the new licence was only valid for six months. On all my correspondence I stated that I was a HGV driver and could not work as I didn't have a licence, it made no difference. They are a disgrace and not fit for purpose.

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[The Dotties]

That is because of the PSV its every 3 years if only a C1.

You are correct Lenny, I got mixed up with C+E and C1

 

[JohnJW]

Thank You for the prompt replies,

 

[autorouter]

Just a few details to add. If you take tablets for blood pressure they will take your blood pressure on the day, but they will also want a number of readings from previous days. Think it was 3 or 5, it's on the form somewhere. The readings from my blood pressure meter were acceptable.

The D4Drivers doc will do a rudimentary eye test, sufficient for the licence test. But if you are having an eye test by an optician he can fill in the optical section of the form, so the D4Drivers doc doesn't need to.

If you have a medical condition that doesn't affect your driving, they may want the name/address of your consultant to verify that it won't affect your driving.

 

[Goforit]

Thanks for the tip.
On another issue what date do they want on the D4 for first licence to drive a bus or a lorry. For people of our age it must be 18th or 21st birthday. ??

 

[Nigel P]

Thanks for the tip.
On another issue what date do they want on the D4 for first licence to drive a bus or a lorry. For people of our age it must be 18th or 21st birthday. ??

Date test passed on relevant category.

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[altomos]

Thanks for the tip.
On another issue what date do they want on the D4 for first licence to drive a bus or a lorry. For people of our age it must be 18th or 21st birthday. ??

I am trying to fill in D2 and grey D4 at the moment Can someone really PLEASE tell us what date to place here. I certainly don’t know the date I passed my car driver test and have certainly not tried a Bus or a Lorry test since. Do I leave it blank or place a date some time in 1969!!?? Any useful information would be welcomed from past applications. Thanks