Renewing your license at 70

[Bigbarry]

I have recently (Oct) reached the grand age of 70. I new I would have to renew my license and at the start realized that to retain my classifications, car, trailer, minibus and of course the van (fully loaded) I needed a completed D4 medical form as well. To make sure there was no problems I applied early and it was received by DVLA on the 27 July. Come October no license so in contacting DVLA and being told it was with the medical section I complained. There was nothing evident with my medical examination and report to suggest any problem but now DVLA are saying I need to do a Treadmill test at the local hospital. No problem for me but has anyone else had problems with license renewal through DVLA

 

[cliveandann]

I have recently (Oct) reached the grand age of 70. I new I would have to renew my license and at the start realized that to retain my classifications, car, trailer, minibus and of course the van (fully loaded) I needed a completed D4 medical form as well. To make sure there was no problems I applied early and it was received by DVLA on the 27 July. Come October no license so in contacting DVLA and being told it was with the medical section I complained. There was nothing evident with my medical examination and report to suggest any problem but now DVLA are saying I need to do a Treadmill test at the local hospital. No problem for me but has anyone else had problems with license renewal through DVLA

Yes I've had to have a field test for my eyes. As I understand it you are still entitled to drive even after 70 while your tests are being sorted. Its quite common for motorhomers to arrange the medical with their own doctor who will have all your history. Also quite expensive. HGV drivers use specialist HGV medical services which are a lot cheaper. The doctors are also more familiar with the needs of HGV drivers and are tend to be more flexible with their reports. Check online for a service near you.

 

[moonshadow]

Martin had to do a treadmill test at the hospital - he walked it lol!

 

[The laird]

I had my have medical about three months ago full test eyes etc no treadmill £55 a doctor that does haulage companies
For my class 1 renewal

 

[maingate]

It's just routine, I would not worry about it.

 

[tonybvi]

I had my have medical about three months ago full test eyes etc no treadmill £55 a doctor that does haulage companies
For my class 1 renewal

I’ve only got a few months to go before I need to go through the D4 medical to keep my over 3500kg rights. Aberdeen seems fairly sparse for cheapo medics but I’m happy to travel down to the Central Belt (can link in with visit to daughter in Edinburgh) - anybody you can recommend please, Gordon?
Thanks, Tony

 

[Trotter]

Got my medical check by the end of next month. The DVLA always take 3 or 4 months to send my license back. Sat on by their medical team. In truth, I reckon there’s only one or two people in there. The license is dated from its release date. That way, I get a 16 month license. Works for me ?. Assuming I pass the medical . Don’t sweat it. You are able to drive until a Doctor tells you, you can’t. Any queries re your license refer them to the DVLA medical team and they will tell you your covered by Road Traffic Act # 60something.

 

[The laird]

I’ve only got a few months to go before I need to go through the D4 medical to keep my over 3500kg rights. Aberdeen seems fairly sparse for cheapo medics but I’m happy to travel down to the Central Belt (can link in with visit to daughter in Edinburgh) - anybody you can recommend please, Gordon?
Thanks, Tony

Tony I’ve got his card in my work will try and send details tomorrow ASAP ,he is in Falkirk ,good nice guy

 

[The laird]

I’ve only got a few months to go before I need to go through the D4 medical to keep my over 3500kg rights. Aberdeen seems fairly sparse for cheapo medics but I’m happy to travel down to the Central Belt (can link in with visit to daughter in Edinburgh) - anybody you can recommend please, Gordon?
Thanks, Tony

This is the chap I used Tony mention Gordon from Grangemouth tank services passed his name on

 

[tonybvi]

This is the chap I used Tony mention Gordon from Grangemouth tank services passed his name on

Thanks very much Gordon - are you sure it’s wise to mention you?!

 

[Biggarmac]

If you pass 70 and don't do the medical as you have a 3.5 van, can you later go back and apply for the full licence again?

 

[The laird]

Thanks very much Gordon - are you sure it’s wise to mention you?!

Doctors a nice chap very relaxed and a good price ,he does medical you send off ,hope this helps Tony
Regards Gordon

 

[GDF]

I’ve only got a few months to go before I need to go through the D4 medical to keep my over 3500kg rights. Aberdeen seems fairly sparse for cheapo medics but I’m happy to travel down to the Central Belt (can link in with visit to daughter in Edinburgh) - anybody you can recommend please, Gordon?
Thanks, Tony

Tony

Search on line for driver medicals. There is a company that does them for £55 at venues all over the country.

Dave

 

[maingate]

If anyone has any issues that worries them about the Medical, I would recommend that they get their own Doctor and Optician to fill in the forms for them. It may not be as cheap as getting a cut price Doctor but it can save you a lot of possible aggravation. I did this and despite being on various medications, I got my new licence back from the DVLA in 6 working days.

If you don't use your own GP and there is nothing about medication anywhere on your forms, I think the DVLA look at this with suspicion and either send you for a Field Test at Specsavers (they have a contract with DVLA) or a Treadmill test. If you have a history of medicals (as a HGV driver or similar) they will probably not bother and issue a new licence quickly.

 

[Bigbarry]

Got my medical check by the end of next month. The DVLA always take 3 or 4 months to send my license back. Sat on by their medical team. In truth, I reckon there’s only one or two people in there. The license is dated from its release date. That way, I get a 16 month license. Works for me ?. Assuming I pass the medical . Don’t sweat it. You are able to drive until a Doctor tells you, you can’t. Any queries re your license refer them to the DVLA medical team and they will tell you your covered by Road Traffic Act # 60something.

I completed my Medical test yesterday and the doctor said there were no problems. As for the numbers of medical staff at DVLA they sent me a very cleverly worded response to my complaint to them (copied to my MP) indicating that they employ over 30 medically trained doctors and nurses it didn't say whether these were full or part time and the number of hours they work. The main thrust of my question is if my Doctor completes the D4 (Seven page medical report) at a cost to me, obviously stating there is no reason that I should not retain my full license and classifications Why and how can DVLA decide I need further medical examination by a medical practitioner that doesn't know my medical history? I wonder how much this is costing the Taxpayer

 

[Bigbarry]

Tony

Search on line for driver medicals. There is a company that does them for £55 at venues all over the country.

Dave

I used my local GP who was very thorough and took 40 mins, at a cost of £70. In fact it was a good body MOT.

 

[Bigbarry]

If you pass 70 and don't do the medical as you have a 3.5 van, can you later go back and apply for the full licence again?

The way I have read the rules is once your license has been issued for the single classification of car only to add additional classifications you have to undertake a Driving test for that vehicle

 

[nabsim]

My mate a long retired (about 20 years) HGV Tanker Driver did the medical when he was well over 70 and they issued him a full HGV1 (CE)
He was never going to use it, all he wanted was the C1

Is it exactly the same test for full HGV and C1 then Graham, would have thought it would be stricter but hadnt really thought how or why apart from much greater load weights.

 

[scrap heap chalenge]

I have Parkinsons Disease and they needed to hear from the hospital specialist before they issued my license (it is a HGV1 and PCV) and and it took them 15 months before they gave me my license for twelve months. which has just expired so they have started the process again!
as leaving your license expire I left mine expire because I wasn't using it for 8 years and I just took the medical when I did no driving tests needed
if you wish they will issue a letter saying that they are ongoing their enquiries and it is OK for you to drive but I don't know how this would work abroad I think you would be on a sticky wicket there
Patrick

 

[Spike]

I have recently (Oct) reached the grand age of 70. I new I would have to renew my license and at the start realized that to retain my classifications, car, trailer, minibus and of course the van (fully loaded) I needed a completed D4 medical form as well. To make sure there was no problems I applied early and it was received by DVLA on the 27 July. Come October no license so in contacting DVLA and being told it was with the medical section I complained. There was nothing evident with my medical examination and report to suggest any problem but now DVLA are saying I need to do a Treadmill test at the local hospital. No problem for me but has anyone else had problems with license renewal through DVLA

I drive a minibus (on a scheduled service) and needed to have a medical when I got to my 70th birthday (in July 2016).
A Doctor friend performed the examination in late April - thus leaving plenty of time.
I ended up driving (car only) during the Summer under cover of a "backstop" clause in the 1988 Road Traffic Act which allows for this.
By late August I was beginning to panic as this clause does not allow for driving abroad - and I was to do so in late September. So I contacted the DVLA and asked them to forget the Minibus entitlements (for the moment) and send me a car licence.
On the following Saturday the car licence arrived - followed by the Minibus licence on the Monday after.
This post is a very much shortened version of what happened over 4 months - missing out the numerous phone calls to Cardiff (on one occasion, when I was querying what the call-handler was telling me, she said " Oh, hang on a minute - I'll put my glasses on!!) and unnecessary trips to hospital.
But I am not alone - have a google and you will see that some people waited up to 18 months.
Maybe things have improved? The motto is (like "shop early for Xmas") - apply in plenty of time and keep pestering them.
Best of luck. Spike