The Dreaded C1 ..... Again!!

Buzz Baby

Buzz Baby

Free Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2019
Posts
61
Likes collected
59
Location
South Yorkshire
Funster No
59,001
MH
Autotrail Cheyenne 840
Exp
Since September 2017
I am 70 in May, and I need to retain my C1 when I renew my licence. My dilemma is this - I can't get a medical, because the doctors are seeing people only in an emergency, and this isn't an emergency, I can't get an eye test for the same reason, I can't contact the DVLA because they won't respond to telephone calls, emails or web chat unless I am a key worker, or HGV driver, and C1 isn't an HGV category. I need to renew my licence but how can I do it without losing the C1 that I need to drive my motorhome? Any advice or information would be really gratefully received. I hope that everyone out there is staying home, staying safe and keeping well.
 
i would guess that DVLA would not process your application even if it was complete. I would write / email them with the details telling them the completed application will follow. if they can extend mot then your C1 should be no problem
 
As far as I can find out you're kippered.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vic
Unless DVLA issue guidance about extensions, then to be sure of staying legal, you could renew online without the C1 which would enable you to keep driving your car. Then when restrictions ease, apply for the C1.

Otherwise, I suppose you could send off as if applying but as Phill D says above enclose a note. If you dont hear back because they are not working then at least you can carry on with current categories for up to a year whilst awaiting their response. Section 88 of RTA allows this whilst in the renewal process but you have to have applied.
 
I had a similar issue one time, I wrote to DVLA, Copied it the The Chief Constable, and my MP. And for good measure the Minister of Transport. I had an acknowledgement. And kept that with my Old (Green paper) licence until they sorted it, and just carried on driving. AND you are OK to drive under "rule 88" until they tell you (officially) you cannot. You have to be "seen" to be trying to comply.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Riverbankannie said:
Unless DVLA issue guidance about extensions, then to be sure of staying legal, you could renew online without the C1 which would enable you to keep driving your car. Then when restrictions ease, apply for the C1.

Otherwise, I suppose you could send off as if applying but as Phill D says above enclose a note. If you dont hear back because they are not working then at least you can carry on with current categories for up to a year whilst awaiting their response. Section 88 of RTA allows this whilst in the renewal process but you have to have applied.
Click to expand...
Thank you Riverbankannie, that is a really helpful reply, I will go along with your suggestion, and renew to keep legal, then ask for C1 when Armageddon is over, because I won't need it before then. Thank you for letting me know that I could do that. Really good answer.(y)(y)
 
I Emailed the DVLA the other day with reference to MOT extensions and motorhomes and got an in depth reply within 4 days (mind you although the reply was in depth it didn't actually answer the question but at least it was quite quick)
 
Yes, they do reply quite quickly. I emailed them twice, one about declaring SORN, and the other about the C1 renewal. I got identical replies to both of them telling me that they would not reply to emails, telephone calls, letters or webchat unless I am a key worker or an HGV driver. In other words, they are totally inaccessible. Pretty rubbish for a Government department if you ask me. The quality of any system is judged by the way it handles exceptions to the rule - DVLA loses on all counts.
 
PeteH said:
I had a similar issue one time, I wrote to DVLA, Copied it the The Chief Constable, and my MP. And for good measure the Minister of Transport. I had an acknowledgement. And kept that with my Old (Green paper) licence until they sorted it, and just carried on driving. AND you are OK to drive under "rule 88" until they tell you (officially) you cannot. You have to be "seen" to be trying to comply.
Click to expand...
I would go with this advice & ad the fact that you hold them personally responsible. & keep driving.
If you wait until it is over it will quite likely take another 12 months even after you have submitted all the relevant paperwork.
 
My hubby had to renew his licence as he is 70 (today actually). As he wanted to keep his C1 he had a medical, eye test etc and posted all the paperwork on 27 March to DVLA. He made copies of absolutely everything he posted.
As he hadn’t received anything back is he still legally allowed to drive? We are assuming he is as he hasn’t been told otherwise.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
My wife posted her licence renewal with the forms to keep her C1 two weeks ago. Just wondering how long it with take to process as she clocked 70 last week.
My 70th is the end of May, luckily got my medical done a few days before the lock down, not sent of the application yet.
 
Getting the Doctor to complete your form has not been possible at our surgery for a while. There are Doctors who specialise in filling these forms. They deal with HGV medicals as well and are much cheaper than GP's usually are. It could be worthwhile covering your back to let the DVLA know that you are not able to get it signed by a doctor at this time.
 
Have a look at this site...

www.gov.uk

Renew or change a lorry or bus licence

Driving licence renewals - find out when and how to renew your lorry, bus, minibus or coach licence.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

Which includes this passage.....

Driving before your licence is returned
You can drive while your licence is being renewed if you meet all of the following conditions:

  • you have the support of your doctor to continue driving
  • you had a valid licence
  • you only drive under the conditions of the previous licence
  • your application is less than a year old
  • your last licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons
  • you’re not currently disqualified
  • you were not disqualified as a high risk offender on or after 1 June 2013
Read the guidance for more information on driving while your application is with DVLA.

Click on the "Read the Guidance" live link and it takes you to this page where you can download a .pdf file INF188/6.

www.gov.uk

Can I drive while my application is with DVLA? (INF188/6)

A guide to the rules for driving while waiting for your licence.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

This 6 page document outlines the conditions you have to meet in order to carry on under Sec 88 of Road Traffic Act 1988.

This really does not help the OP as he has NOT yet applied for renewal which is one of the conditions.

I got my medical done by D4Drivers two days before the lockdown(probably one of the last before D4Drivers stopped doing medicals) and the application has been with DVLA for about 17 days now.
I will probably use Sec 88 after 30.4.2020 when current licence expires until I hear back from DVLA

Hope this helps

Barry
 
The Cruisers said:
My hubby had to renew his licence as he is 70 (today actually). As he wanted to keep his C1 he had a medical, eye test etc and posted all the paperwork on 27 March to DVLA. He made copies of absolutely everything he posted.
As he hadn’t received anything back is he still legally allowed to drive? We are assuming he is as he hasn’t been told otherwise.
Click to expand...

Yes you are, having just been through it myself and having problems getting a mistake by the Doctor changed because she was off sick the DVLA officer explained to me I was still allowed to drive under section 88 as long as my Doctor was happy with me driving. So if your Doc is happy and your forms are in you are ok

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I always remember the "Legal Beagle" (or was it the Eagle?), who did "Legal" on the J-Y show. He was big on saying that compliance with any similar law was contingent on what was seen as "reasonable". So in effect if you can prove you made every effort to comply with the law. It is unlikely in the main that any prosecution would be instituted, and is likely to be thrown out by a magistrate or judge. If you where to try making a Doctors appointment specifically for such medical (and refused), with the refusal and reason in writing, you have the necessary evidence to continue operating under the pre-existing conditions.
 
I’m 70 in June which is when my Hgv licence expires, my question is, I don’t want my Hgv license anymore, but I do want my c1 , which doesn’t expire until 2022, do you only need a medical every three years for your c1?.

Mickey.
 
Mickey1 said:
I’m 70 in June which is when my Hgv licence expires, my question is, I don’t want my Hgv license anymore, but I do want my c1 , which doesn’t expire until 2022, do you only need a medical every three years for your c1?.

Mickey.
Click to expand...
Yes every 3 years.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Lenny HB said:
Yes every 3 years.
Click to expand...
Thanks Lenny HB , but I’ve just googled this, if this is right how is my c1 valid until 2022??.
C60F85C7-47B2-4509-9374-B779FB339573.jpeg

Mickey.
 
This might give hope its from D4Drivers website:

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Due to the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19 our office is now closed and we are not taking new bookings at this time. We can only apologise for the difficult position that drivers currently find themselves in and we have done all we can to put pressure on DVLA. We expect there to be emergency legislation passed imminently to extend driving licences as we have already seen with MOTs.
 
olley , yes I did read that, my C1 is on my licence until 2022, so I should be ok, I’m only asking advice because I don’t want my HGV anymore.

Mickey.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Riverbankannie said:
Unless DVLA issue guidance about extensions, then to be sure of staying legal, you could renew online without the C1 which would enable you to keep driving your car. Then when restrictions ease, apply for the C1.
Click to expand...

Be careful if you do this as I believe if you give up the entitlement, you will then have to take a new test to get it back!
 
Buzz Baby said:
I am 70 in May, and I need to retain my C1 when I renew my licence. My dilemma is this - I can't get a medical, because the doctors are seeing people only in an emergency, and this isn't an emergency, I can't get an eye test for the same reason, I can't contact the DVLA because they won't respond to telephone calls, emails or web chat unless I am a key worker, or HGV driver, and C1 isn't an HGV category. I need to renew my licence but how can I do it without losing the C1 that I need to drive my motorhome? Any advice or information would be really gratefully received. I hope that everyone out there is staying home, staying safe and keeping well.
Click to expand...
I had my Drivers medical ( £55) last week and had my drivers eye test 2 weeks ago (£20). I am soon to be 73 so this is my second one, I posted the completed forms to the DVLA yesterday. I did not use my own doctor firstly due to cost and secondly due to doctors being too busy. I used "Drivers and Medicals"
 
OldWomble said:
Be careful if you do this as I believe if you give up the entitlement, you will then have to take a new test to get it back!
Click to expand...
I don't think so, I was remembering this post from PeteH and others too
Quote

When I turned 70. I let all mine go, including C1. However after about a year, we sold the caravan and bought a Motorhome again, Needing more payload I upgraded. So had to re apply for my C1. they sent me the form D4 which my Doctor filled in. sent back the (B1 only) licence and got the C1 on a new licence. They have it on record, and you do not have the re-take a test or anything, It`s paper exercise plus Medical and Sight Test.
 
I got my second extension at 73 after a lot of hard work in the gym, etc. Received the new plastic the day before the lockdown. Great :swear:.
 
Mickey1 said:
I’m 70 in June which is when my Hgv licence expires, my question is, I don’t want my Hgv license anymore, but I do want my c1 , which doesn’t expire until 2022, do you only need a medical every three years for your c1?.

Mickey.
Click to expand...
Yes. (in a word). Which is what I did. I let mine (HGV) go at 66, when I sold the R-V, and come (71 actually) I had the medical and continue driving C1.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top