Reaching the age of 70

[GWAYGWAY]

You don't have to go to your usual GP at the practice - any of the partners can do the form and they have access to your records.

What reason does your usual GP give for his opinion? If you can drive it safely at 69 years and 364 days then why not at 70?

EDIT: The doctor has to go by the guidelines and can't say "no" without a valid reason. The DVLA are a law unto themselves of course.

His view is that because I had a problem needing an angioplsty in 1992 then I am not able to drive an articulated lorry for a living now.
The medical is the same regardless of the vehicle and driving you will do. I tried to get another GP but all lists are closed now owing to the extra people we have living in the area from Europe. They are all full up. All this trouble for an extra few kilos??????? Also He had to sign a form for me and charged £150 cash for that, he does all those medicals to keep the wonga. I had never seen him at all before that always another doctor . He went through my records to find something 25 years back.

 

[Puddleduck]

So sorry to hear that @GWAYGWAY .

I told the Dr who did my medical why I wanted the C1 licence and that if they said no to a C1 I would just downplate the beast so I could drive it on a B licence - it would be the same vehicle. She didn't even know I would need a C1 to drive over 3500kg. I also pointed out that if I did how to downplate I might have to decide if I was going to cycle or kayak before every trip and wouldn't be able to take both. She said the rules were "a load of cobblers", did all the tests, actually spent a long time making sure it was all correct, and said there was absolutely no reason why I could not drive. She was kind enough to say that because I was so aware of the requirements and my own health I was probably safer than many of the drivers on the road. Oh, the charge was £80.

The DVLA don't agree......... my eyesight (with glasses) is way above the requirement as are my reaction times.

If I get knocked back again I think I'll go the ombudsman route.

 

[busby]

His view is that because I had a problem needing an angioplsty in 1992 then I am not able to drive an articulated lorry for a living now.
The medical is the same regardless of the vehicle and driving you will do. I tried to get another GP but all lists are closed now owing to the extra people we have living in the area from Europe. They are all full up. All this trouble for an extra few kilos??????? Also He had to sign a form for me and charged £150 cash for that, he does all those medicals to keep the wonga. I had never seen him at all before that always another doctor . He went through my records to find something 25 years back.

As i said earlier find a doctor who specialises in Driving License Medicals,,i had no doubt about passing because eye sight heart and blood pressure all good but the one i used charged £40,,filled all the forms in correctly leaving me to just sign them where he showed me and post off. To be honest i think i any one would have passed their medical at this clinic as long as they were breathing and didn't have a white stick,,BUSBY.

 

[busby]

So sorry to hear that @GWAYGWAY .

I told the Dr who did my medical why I wanted the C1 licence and that if they said no to a C1 I would just downplate the beast so I could drive it on a B licence - it would be the same vehicle. She didn't even know I would need a C1 to drive over 3500kg. I also pointed out that if I did how to downplate I might have to decide if I was going to cycle or kayak before every trip and wouldn't be able to take both. She said the rules were "a load of cobblers", did all the tests, actually spent a long time making sure it was all correct, and said there was absolutely no reason why I could not drive. She was kind enough to say that because I was so aware of the requirements and my own health I was probably safer than many of the drivers on the road. Oh, the charge was £80.

The DVLA don't agree......... my eyesight (with glasses) is way above the requirement as are my reaction times.

If I get knocked back again I think I'll go the ombudsman route.

True but unfortunately the law is the law,,they have to have a cut of weight somewhere. You could argue that a 7.5 tonne truck is no different to a 10 tonne truck and other than gross weight they are the same size and very similar but by law one is HGV and the other isn't.There just has to be a cut off,,Not saying i agree,,BUSBY,,

 

[Puddleduck]

The other alternative is to get a cardiology specialist to do a private assessment and report and then use Doctors on Wheels.

I think a Cardiologists report would trump a GP's opinion.

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[Riverbankannie]

As i said earlier find a doctor who specialises in Driving License Medicals,,i had no doubt about passing because eye sight heart and blood pressure all good but the one i used charged £40,,filled all the forms in correctly leaving me to just sign them where he showed me and post off. To be honest i think i any one would have passed their medical at this clinic as long as they were breathing and didn't have a white stick,,BUSBY.

We went to a specialist firm and it's not up to them whether you pass or not, they just complete the form. The decision is made by DVLA medical assessment unit.

 

[Riverbankannie]

The other alternative is to get a cardiology specialist to do a private assessment and report and then use Doctors on Wheels.

I think a Cardiologists report would trump a GP's opinion.

We have obtained cardiologists report and he said you're ok, you could drive a bus, and hubby said I only want to drive my campervan, cardiologist surprised we were having to go through this process.

 

[Puddleduck]

True but unfortunately the law is the law,,they have to have a cut of weight somewhere. You could argue that a 7.5 tonne truck is no different to a 10 tonne truck and other than gross weight they are the same size and very similar but by law one is HGV and the other isn't.There just has to be a cut off,,Not saying i agree,,BUSBY,,

No quibble with that.

As it is Jemima is plated at 3650 so above the cut off limit. Perhaps I should go to the USA, get a driving permit there and have it "converted" here

 

[busby]

We went to a specialist firm and it's not up to them whether you pass or not, they just complete the form. The decision is made by DVLA medical assessment unit.

But they assess you on the medical report,,they don't examine you,,BUSBY,,

 

[Riverbankannie]

Put they assess you on the medical report,,they don't examine you,,BUSBY,,

Yes they do...

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[busby]

Yes they do...

Well The DVLA never examined me,,how could they ,,i am in Derbyshire they are in South Wales..BUSBY.
,

 

[Puddleduck]

We went to a specialist firm and it's not up to them whether you pass or not, they just complete the form. The decision is made by DVLA medical assessment unit.

And we don't know who they are or what qualifications they have. They are pretty clueless when it comes to the more unusual ailments.

But they assess you on the medical report,,they don't examine you,,BUSBY,,

Yes they do...

Sorry, the DVLA examine the paperwork only. It's a "tick box" exercise for them. They never see you in person.

When I see my hospital specialist again I will advise her to advise anyone in the position I was in to give up their licence voluntarily rather than have the DVLA revoke it - and then apply for it back when better. I wish I had known I could do that as it would have saved such a lot of grief ...... but then I was told I was fit to drive and it was a huge shock when the DVLA revoked the licence.

 

[Riverbankannie]

DVLA sent us to their choice of doctor in Bristol Hospital for cardiac tests. The results have been sent directly to DVLA, they paid.

 

[busby]

DVLA sent us to their choice of doctor in Bristol Hospital for cardiac tests. The results have been sent directly to DVLA, they paid.

Must have been something showing on the report from your first medical for them to do that,,Its the first time i have ever heard of that,,BUSBY.

 

[TheDogMan]

Not that I'm near that age but it might be worth your hubby having a chat with his doctor before committing to purchasing the vehicle just to be safe!

Personally I would be wary of committing to such a large purchase when I know that I'll 'hit' a big milestone (driving wise!) that may prevent me from using it in the future UNLESS it could be down plated to 3500 if needs be and still usable.

God I bought a seven tonner at 69 !!!! Mind you it hard driving with your fingers crossed. Medical next year

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[Riverbankannie]

Must have been something showing on the report from your first medical for them to do that,,Its the first time i have ever heard of that,,BUSBY.

Maybe, but my point was that the original medical form, whether from own GP or from a specialist outfit, is a report only and not a pass/fail recommendation.

 

[busby]

Maybe, but my point was that the original medical form, whether from own GP or from a specialist outfit, is a report only and not a pass/fail recommendation.

Of course it is,,if your medical tells them your blood pressure is through the ceiling,,your as blind as a bat and only got one arm i think The DVLA will probably not give you your licence,,If its a good report they will give it you,,BUSBY,,

 

[Minxy]

Of course it is,,if your medical tells them your blood pressure is through the ceiling,,your as blind as a bat and only got one arm i think The DVLA will probably not give you your licence,,If its a good report they will give it you,,BUSBY,,

I think you'll find that only having one arm doesn't mean you can't have a licence ... but the other 2 items might!

 

[busby]

I think you'll find that only having one arm doesn't mean you can't have a licence ... but the other 2 items might!

Just making a point Minxy,,struggling to think of what would stop them issuing a license,,Was just saying that DVLA act on your medical report and don't just pick on individuals,,,BUSBY

 

[Minxy]

Just making a point Minxy,,struggling to think of what would stop them issuing a license,,Was just saying that DVLA act on your medical report and don't just pick on individuals,,,BUSBY

Yup I know ... what always amazes me is that someone with only one good eye is allowed to drive ... my Dad only had one eye and had difficulty in walking (calipers on his legs) as he got polio as a toddler, but he drove into his 80s and only stopped because they took his Invacar off him as they no longer wanted to maintain them!

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[busby]

Yup I know ... what always amazes me is that someone with only one good eye is allowed to drive ... my Dad only had one eye and had difficulty in walking (calipers on his legs) as he got polio as a toddler, but he drove into his 80s and only stopped because they took his Invacar off him as they no longer wanted to maintain them!

Remember those,,sugar bag blue three wheelers,,,BUSBY,,

 

[Amber3]

Thank you so much everyone for replying, a lot of good advice and info. How do you get what someones written in your reply please.....am a forum newbie!

 

[icantremember]

Thank you so much everyone for replying, a lot of good advice and info. How do you get what someones written in your reply please.....am a forum newbie!

Just click on "Quote", bottom right of the post you want and start your reply after the last [/QUOTE].

You can also quote part of a post by highlighting the words you want and a box will appear.

 

[Amber3]

Just click on "Quote", bottom right of the post you want and start your reply after the last

.

You can also quote part of a post by highlighting the words you want and a box will appear.[/QUOTE]
Thank you Joyce and Brian.....using yours as a trial...

 

[icantremember]

.

You can also quote part of a post by highlighting the words you want and a box will appear.

Thank you Joyce and Brian.....using yours as a trial...[/QUOTE]
Well done.

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[Amber3]

Just found some info about it, assuming it's this age/model:

http://www.practicalmotorhome.com/reviews/motorhome/30320-hymer-ml-t-580

If so at 3500kg it's allegedly got 530kg of payload (less any extra kit which has been fitted) which is more than sufficient for most people so downplating if necessary wouldn't appear to be an issue.

Yes thats the one. The dealer has upgraded the one we're looking at to 3880kg but its good to know we could down plate it if needed. Have to sell the house first though and at the rate we're going (or not!) he will be 70 before we get it! lol

 

[icantremember]

Yes thats the one. The dealer has upgraded the one we're looking at to 3880kg but its good to know we could down plate it if needed. Have to sell the house first though and at the rate we're going (or not!) he will be 70 before we get it! lol

If you are concerned about being over 3500Kg make sure you get the dealer to put it on a weighbridge before you do the deal.
We bought our new moho at Peterborough this year with the dealer's assurance it could be downplated from 3850Kg to 3500.... although I had my doubts, we went ahead with the purchase and when we finally picked it up went straight to the weighbridge completely empty and it came out at 3560Kg so no chance of downplating.
Now got my fingers and everything else crossed for my medical tomorrow!

 

[Amber3]

If you are concerned about being over 3500Kg make sure you get the dealer to put it on a weighbridge before you do the deal.
We bought our new moho at Peterborough this year with the dealer's assurance it could be downplated from 3850Kg to 3500.... although I had my doubts, we went ahead with the purchase and when we finally picked it up went straight to the weighbridge completely empty and it came out at 3560Kg so no chance of downplating.
Now got my fingers and everything else crossed for my medical tomorrow!

oh no that is so bad of them! Sending you lots of luck for tomorrow, let us know how it goes.

 

[icantremember]

so bad of them!

In a way yes, but it had so many heavy extras already fitted I knew in my own mind it wouldn't be feasible to downplate it.
As soon as I told the dealers they were happy to unwind the deal if I wanted and also a couple of other possibilities, but we loved the moho so much I decided to take a chance and go for retaining the licence.

 

[John & Joan]

I have had restricted vision in one eye from measles in childhood. First picked up by a school eye test at 14 when I was fitted with a patch and glasses. At 21 I passed a PSV test, but after upgrading to a double decker licence and then being given a medical (I know it was the wrong way around but a medical was not a necessity then) I was referred to the Eye Hospital who conducted lots of tests including field of vision tests on both eyes they stated I had had the condition so long it would not affect my driving. I would not have been able to continue driving PSVs at 45 under the new regulations though.
I have had regular eye test all of my life since and can pass the field of vision test but have difficulty reading the second line of the chart with one eye. I have plain glass in one lens.
The new regulations for new and professional drivers has a higher standard of vision requirement but grandfather rights allow me to continue. That is why I have stated in other posts I checked with DVLA medical before taking my medical at 70.

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