Reaching the age of 70

[bigalw35]

I was 70 in October this year (2016), sometime in September I received all the documentation needed for the replacement licence, at 70 you WILL lose the C1 part of you're licence. To regain it you WILL have to have an eye test and a medical from A doctor, it doesn't have to be your doctor.

FAILURE TO DO ANYTHING AND YOU WILL LOSE YOUR LICENCE COMPLETELY !!!!!

 

[GWAYGWAY]

It is the Professional driver bit that makes or breaks it. YOU could be driving a bus like the 78 year old coach driver, today convicted of causing death by dangerous driving when he hit a car on the SMART M1 killing the three passengers and injuring the driver who were on the hard shoulder 4th lane bit because he thought the sign told him to use it. These incidents will now continue to happen, especially if the occupants stay in the broken down vehicle. Also the big thing about medicals is that the moronic dustcart driver in Glasgow blacked out and killed a load of pedestrians, had not told them about the blackouts.. DVLA tightened up then and will be getting more so in the future.

 

[Larrynwin]

I was knocked back to 3500kgs 18 months ago. Perfectly fit other than had a trabucolectomy op in one eye. Consultant said ok no problem but DVLA insisted on extra field vision tests and after 9 months decided to remove C1+E.
Have had subsequent eye tests and optician can see no problem but I can't be arsed to deal with that miserable faceless bunch in Swansea anymore .
As a result had to part with our pride and joy RV which we had from new, lost an arm and a leg

 

[John & Joan]

It is the Professional driver bit that makes or breaks it. YOU could be driving a bus like the 78 year old coach driver, today convicted of causing death by dangerous driving when he hit a car on the SMART M1 killing the three passengers and injuring the driver who were on the hard shoulder 4th lane bit because he thought the sign told him to use it. These incidents will now continue to happen, especially if the occupants stay in the broken down vehicle. Also the big thing about medicals is that the moronic dustcart driver in Glasgow blacked out and killed a load of pedestrians, had not told them about the blackouts.. DVLA tightened up then and will be getting more so in the future.

He would have had to have a full professional medical every year including his eyes and have had regular medicals from the age of 45. I have spoken to professional drivers who have told me they get their test done by the mobile doctor. Ten minutes and it's all done. "Can you stand up, can you breath, can you see this chart and sign form and out". My doctor took an hour each time and went through my medical history, as well as a full physical each time. The Optician also spent time thoroughly checking my eyesight and field of vision. I have personal doubts about the "quality" of the medical done by, the van in the corner of the car park outfits. If you fail to declare a condition that is intermittent, as in the Glasgow incident, then the doctor that does not know your history, is in the dark completely.
Smart Motorways are potential death traps with guidance that says stay in your vehicle if you cannot get into a safety cut out, which are far to short and only then leave by the passenger side doors only.

 

[John & Joan]

There had been talks going on for a number of years now at EU level about creating a new "leisure only" over 3500kg licence category. This would involve training in a Motor caravan not an HGV and avoid the CPC professional instruction requirement. So far all we have is a "not for reward" code but you still have to undertake the training in an HGV not a Motor caravan.

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[2657]

He would have had to have a full professional medical every year including his eyes and have had regular medicals from the age of 45. I have spoken to professional drivers who have told me they get their test done by the mobile doctor. Ten minutes and it's all done. "Can you stand up, can you breath, can you see this chart and sign form and out". My doctor took an hour each time and went through my medical history, as well as a full physical each time. The Optician also spent time thoroughly checking my eyesight and field of vision. I have personal doubts about the "quality" of the medical done by, the van in the corner of the car park outfits. If you fail to declare a condition that is intermittent, as in the Glasgow incident, then the doctor that does not know your history, is in the dark completely.
Smart Motorways are potential death traps with guidance that says stay in your vehicle if you cannot get into a safety cut out, which are far to short and only then leave by the passenger side doors only.

Fully agree with your comments about mobile doctors but there is something of a safeguard in the system in that DVLA have to contact your own GP to confirm medical history, in my opinion this is the cause of many delays in processing applications.

and avoid the CPC professional instruction requirement.

Non professional drivers have no need to undertake the professional drivers CPC training.

 

[Puddleduck]

Also the big thing about medicals is that the moronic dustcart driver in Glasgow blacked out and killed a load of pedestrians, had not told them about the blackouts.. DVLA tightened up then and will be getting more so in the future.

The DVLA must err on the side of caution.

It is the delays during the process that cause frustration.

Does anyone know how often the medical board meet and the dates of the meetings?

My doctor took an hour each time and went through my medical history, as well as a full physical each time. The Optician also spent time thoroughly checking my eyesight and field of vision.

As did mine. They also asked a lot of questions which were not part of the medical forms but gave them background information so the advice was focused, relevant and helpful.

 

[Brian Hewitt]

We're looking at getting a Hymer MLT 580 with a MTPLM of 3880. My husband will be 68 next year, has anyone had any issues with the DVLA medicals? Thank you.

I was 70 last November and I started making enquiries and reading up in the summer. I rang a local Company which employs HGV drivers and they gave me the name and phone no. of the doctor they use. I called him and he said he could do the medical for me, no problem. Now I had read that the application could take some time to be passed so I sent for the relative forms from the DVLA which came back very quickly, and I filled in my details. We are now in July and I made an appointment with the doctor and went along to his house for the medical. He asked me lots of health questions, filling in the form as he went along. He then checked my blood pressure and eyesight, and told me that was it. I took copies of all the paperwork and sent off the application to the DVLA. I heard back from them, with my new licence, 3 weeks later. The only downside was that I now have a licence from August instead of November, so I "lost" 3 months of the 3 year period. Hey ho. £50 well spent I say. My doctor wanted £150????????????. Hope this helps.

 

[sewinlynne2]

He would have had to have a full professional medical every year including his eyes and have had regular medicals from the age of 45. I have spoken to professional drivers who have told me they get their test done by the mobile doctor. Ten minutes and it's all done. "Can you stand up, can you breath, can you see this chart and sign form and out". My doctor took an hour each time and went through my medical history, as well as a full physical each time. The Optician also spent time thoroughly checking my eyesight and field of vision. I have personal doubts about the "quality" of the medical done by, the van in the corner of the car park outfits. If you fail to declare a condition that is intermittent, as in the Glasgow incident, then the doctor that does not know your history, is in the dark completely.
Smart Motorways are potential death traps with guidance that says stay in your vehicle if you cannot get into a safety cut out, which are far to short and only then leave by the passenger side doors only.

I think that once smart people who have been directly affected by the death/serious injury etc. etc. caused by smart governments introducing smart motorways, have fleeced them and had a few jailed by smart lawyers in not so smart courts then smart motorways will smartly be consigned to the dustbin along with the idiot/s who designed them- and it won't come too soon either-what a load of old shit.

 

[Mike24150]

We bought o new Autotrail Dakota, which we dearly loved, two years ago. Then, twelve months ago, I was told I needed a cataract operation, but whilst that was a success, glaucoma was detected to the extent it affected my vision. Just before reaching seventy earlier this year, I asked my local optician if I would pass the vision test, and he said that he thought it was ok, he even filled the form for me. The medical was completed by a doctor who I picked by searching on the'net' and that was fine. After an eight week wait, I was told to go to a specific branch of Specsavers, who tested my sight with flashing dots on a screen. It turned out that my sight wasn't good enough to pass the requirements for vehicles over 3.5 tons. I was also told that I would need to have a similar test in three years. Result, we had to sell our Dakota, not good after fifteen months, and bought a lighter vehicle a mere eight inches shorter. It cost us a lot, but we get so much fun from our experiences, but I am very aware now of my visual shortcomings, and dread further deterioration. But good luck to you, and we hope you retain your good health.

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[Norm]

I bought my Burstner when I was 68 and took the chance. I was a bit worried as I have Glucoma. There was nothing to worry about. I went to a mobile doctor (£50) as opposed to my GP (£116) and DVLA then required a separate eye test by their chosen optician (spec savers) No problem, licence granted and no undue delay.
At our age we must live for today. I could have waited but anything could have happened in those two years while I was out enjoying my new toy!
Go for it !!! Best of luck.

 

[gus-lopez]

Fully agree with your comments about mobile doctors but there is something of a safeguard in the system in that DVLA have to contact your own GP to confirm medical history, in my opinion this is the cause of many delays in processing applications.



Non professional drivers have no need to undertake the professional drivers CPC training.

Just as a matter of interest does anyone know what happens if you don't have ,or have never registered with, a Doctor ?

 

[2657]

Just as a matter of interest does anyone know what happens if you don't have ,or have never registered with, a Doctor ?

Very interesting question

 

[icantremember]

Just as a matter of interest does anyone know what happens if you don't have ,or have never registered with, a Doctor ?

I assume any doctor should be able to do it but may charge extra as they would probably give a more thorough examination.

 

[busby]

I assume any doctor should be able to do it but may charge extra as they would probably give a more thorough examination.

I was charged £40 at a private clinic and he never referred to my previous medical background and had no access to my previous records,,not really a safe thorough system,,had eye test prescription from Spec Savers,,BUSBY.

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[2657]

As far as I am aware DVLA contact your own GP to check on any adverse medical conditions in the past, it is a few years since I last had the medical but I am fairly sure that there is a space on the D4 form for your own GP's details even if you have the medical elsewhere.

The question @gus-lopez asked is what happens if you have no medical record, though I think that would be a very rare occurrence.

 

[busby]

As far as I am aware DVLA contact your own GP to check on any adverse medical conditions in the past, it is a few years since I last had the medical but I am fairly sure that there is a space on the D4 form for your own GP's details even if you have the medical elsewhere.

The question @gus-lopez asked is what happens if you have no medical record, though I think that would be a very rare occurrence.

I did not think anyone can have access to your medical records without your authority,,BUSBY,,

 

[robert groves]

Just renewed my licence.......firstly I went to the Post Office where a nice lady told me just to fill in the forms automatically sent to you by post 3 months before your 70th birthday, and you will get your license back with all the same categories......WRONG ! WRONG WRONG!!!!

It was just by chance that I was talking to a neighbour who has a large camper and he told me about forms D2 and D4 (available from main postoffices) and as my camper is 5 ton, I would loose the category to drive it and be limited to 3.5 ton.

Fill in form D2 (mostly tick boxes) tick the box for 'Licence renewal at 70' and also the box for driving a minibus on a voulantary basis.
The form D4 is mostly filled in by your doctor. The doctor must witness you signing the declaration on the last page AFTER he/she has filled in all of the form (I was told off for signing the form before I arrived at the surgery and had to give a specimen signature in front of her)

Apart from a blood pressure test, it was mostly a box ticking exercise for which I was charged £120!
If you are having the eyesight test at the surgery and you need glasses for driving, take your most recent opticians prescription with you, as there is a tick box that asks whether the prescription is more than 7 diopters and my doctor refused to tick that box without the prescription form, had to dash home and get the prescription and dash back to the surgery before closing time.
With Hindsight...go to your optician for the eyetest!
If you send the completed form and expiring licence to DVLA more than 57 days BEFORE it expires, then you don't have to include a photo

My new licence was returned about 5 days later and upon opening with my heart in mouth....all was well and I still have the right to drive up to 7.5 tons

Most IMPORTANT !......take photo copies of both sides of your expiring licence and the form D2 & D4...It is not unknown for the DVLA to 'Loose' forms

 

[2657]

I did not think anyone can have access to your medical records without your authority,,BUSBY,,

You sign a consent and declaration on page 8 of the D4 form giving your doctor authorisation to release the necessary information.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/490689/D4_231115.pdf

Regarding how often this happens I am not sure but in the information leaflet on P5 under 'Information for the Doctor'/ Examining the applicant, the examining doctor is required to:
"Please obtain details of the applicant's medical history when you complete the report"
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/492335/INF4D_091115.pdf

On the D4 form there are at least 9 questions that require access to the applicants medical history, if the doctor doing the medical does not access this history then he would be solely accepting the word of the applicant and in my opinion this would make the application and subsequent issue of the licence invalid.

It would be interesting to know how many that have not used their own GP have actually checked that the doctor undertaking the medical have actually done this.

 

[busby]

You sign a consent and declaration on page 8 of the D4 form giving your doctor authorisation to release the necessary information.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/490689/D4_231115.pdf

Regarding how often this happens I am not sure but in the information leaflet on P5 under 'Information for the Doctor'/ Examining the applicant, the examining doctor is required to:
"Please obtain details of the applicant's medical history when you complete the report"
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/492335/INF4D_091115.pdf

On the D4 form there are at least 9 questions that require access to the applicants medical history, if the doctor doing the medical does not access this history then he would be solely accepting the word of the applicant and in my opinion this would make the application and subsequent issue of the licence invalid.

It would be interesting to know how many that have not used their own GP have actually checked that the doctor undertaking the medical have actually done this.

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[busby]

Wondered how it happened,,,must have signed that and not noticed,,,,BUSBY,,,

 

[2657]

Wondered how it happened,,,must have signed that and not noticed,,,,BUSBY,,,

How many times do we all sign forms without reading properly what we are signing, I know I do!

I have been doing HGV medicals since I was 45 (now 67) and only had a vague idea of the above until now, I no longer have C+E and will not be renewing C1+E when I am 70.

 

[PeteH]

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,,

Neither do I. The current situation is a ****** Farce.! That which My Understanding is has to do (Again) the "EU "harmonisation". The vast Majority of European Produced 'Vans have payloads which are so small they are virtually "unfit for purpose".

Time is that the Manufacturers should be lobbying for a "Motor-home" class, independent of LGV rules with a more sensible limit. (Say 4t?). and drivable as a B1. Having to have "age related" (and by no means cheap) medicals every few years, just to be able to enjoy a life-style, (not in a high stress working environment remember!) is IMV another reflection of the IDIOCY of Bureaucracy.

To make a comparison, The Winnebago in the Avatar, was a 9.82tonne vehicle which I drove many thousands of miles in the USA. On my B1 (No medical either!) and later a standard Texas car Licence, All quite legally. The only caveat being that as a "legal Alien" and not a Citizen my insurance was about 20% higher. But then they are also not twisted up about he use of Dollys and "A" frames either.

Pete

 

[PeteH]

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!

I believe you CAN actually drive with one good eye?.

 

[PeteH]

J


Most IMPORTANT !......take photo copies of both sides of your expiring licence and the form D2 & D4...It is not unknown for the DVLA to 'Loose' forms

YES!. Very Very important, a Friend of mine some years back Moved house and like any good citizen he made a change of address!. Licence came back without his Motorcycle entitlement!!. He appealed, but the B******ds wouldn't budge so he had to retake his CBT!!. the worse bit was he also found his insurance went up because on paper he was a "new" rider!. I had a Full HGV under granddads rights, (1964) originally, But not using it meant I did not keep and eye on rule changes. When I went for a Job on the local Library vans I got the job OK but couldn't take it because the original entitlement had been "lost". I was so P**sed off, that when the D of E offered a course and retake on the "over 50`s retraining" scheme, I went and re-took the LOT, at their expense!!. win, win, win, (for once!)

Pete

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[tomag]

Hi All Just as a matter if interest has anybody applied to get there HGV categories back after they had lost them at 70 and is so how hard was it

 

[Minxy]

I believe you CAN actually drive with one good eye?.

Yes, as per a previous post my Dad had only one eye and drove in a govt provided car!

 

[PeteH]

Hi All Just as a matter if interest has anybody applied to get there HGV categories back after they had lost them at 70 and is so how hard was it

I am advised it is the Medical/Eyesight etc. Plus CPC nowadays. but I stopped driving trucks after my 66th birthday. now 7 years on.

 

[2657]

I am advised it is the Medical/Eyesight etc. Plus CPC nowadays. but I stopped driving trucks after my 66th birthday. now 7 years on.

Don't need the CPC to get your licence back, only need it if you use it professionally.

 

[PeteH]

Don't need the CPC to get your licence back, only need it if you use it professionally.

Yes I suppose I should have qualified that?. CPC came in around the time I was on Agency, just before I gave up comercial driving. I had the R-V until I was 69, then went to a caravan for 3 years, now back with a "Eurobox"!. Nice but not a patch on the R-V!. (except for the fuel consumption!!).

I am not entirely familiar with the requirements for CPC. But I understand it is quite expensive? and teaches experienced drivers what they have (mostly) already forgotten?. In fact a bit of a "jobs for the boys" thing?. But as always, some one will shoot me down. (Don`s granddads tin hat circa WW1 and heads off for breakfast)


Pete

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