Renewing your license at 70
- Thread starter Bigbarry
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nabsim
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You have lost it! Today IS Saturday and you post about medical in the morning which is Sunday!!!
As you say, grovelling apology may be accepted
Trotter
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I've looked at this so many times, and I can see no reference to anything Sunday. It was written on Saturday morning, that is this morning, and it says "medical this morning", so where do you get a Sunday from? I can only guess that it's a northern thing to add a day, when refering to a "this"..
Have your apology ready, anytime, anywhere. Senile? Me? not yet. There's still plenty of time.
dougbobbill
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I am confused about this topic and am approaching 70. The Gov.uk website tells us that category C1 enables us to drive vehicles between 3500 and 7500KG, and category B allows us to drive vehicles up to 8250KG. My wife reached 70 earlier this year and her new licence excludes C1 but includes B so I assumed we did not have a problem if we keep below 8250KG. Can anyone explain this for me?
GeoffL
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If it's the same Government information page that I've just read, I suspect it refers to your C1E "Grandfather's Rights". However, it also says that you should check your online licence information, which has now replaced the paper counterpart of photocard licences. See https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence HTH, Geoff
Kontiki
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At 70 filled in all the forms was told I had to do the treadmill test (tried explaining I had difficulty walking due to back problems but given no other options. Managed 8.5 mins of the 9 minute treadmill with no problems with my heart. Given a license for 1 year, next year applied again was told I needed to have another medical, explained that in 2 previous leters I was told I only needed a medical every 3 years, DVLA operator said no I needed a medical. She just wouldn't accept anything else, totally ignored my request to read the letters they sent me or to put me on to her supervisor & eventually hung up on me. A couple of days later I rang, calmy spoke to operator, asked them to read the letters they sent me & asked did I need a medical & was told no. Filled in all the forms sent them off, a week later more forms arrived, these were to do with a pacemaker (don't have a pacemaker) sent them off nothing I could answer on the form, next week received more forms again related to a pacemaker I don't have, sent these off & then after a few weeks I got a license renewed for 2 years.
My license is due to expire next March 2019, am I going to renew it to retain the C1? I doubt it it was just too much of hassle & I'm giving it up & will keep below the 3.5 ton limit. Already arranged to px our van & going from a low profile motorhome to a van conversion. To be honest though it's not just the hassle I had renewing my license its also the fact we haven't been doing any long trips lately & only considering trips of maybe 4 to 5 weeks so can manage in a smaller van. Also be nice to visit some of the places we used to go which aren't accessible in a larger motorhome.
My license is due to expire next March 2019, am I going to renew it to retain the C1? I doubt it it was just too much of hassle & I'm giving it up & will keep below the 3.5 ton limit. Already arranged to px our van & going from a low profile motorhome to a van conversion. To be honest though it's not just the hassle I had renewing my license its also the fact we haven't been doing any long trips lately & only considering trips of maybe 4 to 5 weeks so can manage in a smaller van. Also be nice to visit some of the places we used to go which aren't accessible in a larger motorhome.
cliveandann
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The Government webpage for renewing your licence at age 70 doesn't make the requirements clear to retain your grandfather rights.
https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70
The webpage shows START NOW in a large green box to start the renewal. This is only for renewals for up to 3.5 ton vehicles. If you scroll further down the page you will see it says "You can’t use this service to renew a C1 (medium-sized vehicles)" You need the C1 licence to drive between 3.5 tons and 7.5 tons. To get this licence you need to pass an HGV medical. To start this process you need to order a D2 pack from the DVLA using the link provided. If your wife does not have the C1 licence she is not entitled to drive over 3.5 tons. If she very recently renewed her licence the DVLA may be willingto amend it if she contacts them first and then goes through the required procedure.
To clarify the categories you can drive are as follows if you passed your test before 1 Jan 1997. The Categories were changed in 2013 and most had new letters.
Category B This is for driving vehicles up to 3500kgs. It addition you can drive a vehicle and trailer which together weigh up to 8250 kgs but in this instance your vehicle is still restricted to 3500 kgs.
Category BE If your licence was issued before 19 Jan 2013 you can drive a vehicle up to 3500kgs with any size trailer.
If your licence was issued on or after 19 Jan 2013 you can drive a vehicle up to 3500kgs with a trailer up to 3500kgs
Category C1 You can drive vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg with a trailer up to 750kgs
Category C1E You can drive vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg with a trailer over 750kgs as long as the combined weight does not exceed 12000kgs
Trotter
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As I've said before on this thread, I had my latest DVLA medical last Saturday. As I'm over 65, I have to have one every year., to be able to continue working. I've not been too clever with pension planning. TBH, the medical is so basic, if you are still driving anything, this medical shouldn't phase you. If you can't pass it, then maybe you should think again about taking the bus to Tesco's. I'm not saying you're unsafe, just that maybe you should get the heart problem sorted, a new pair of glasses, or stay off the biscuits. Any of the possible failures are probably fixable. I've been lucky enough to have had my mobility and cardiac problems sorted. so not a problem for me. It's a case of having blood pressure taken, read an eye chart, having your chest listened to, pee checked. Nothing more than that.
If your GP wants more than £55, look online for "Doctors for Drivers", and save a few quid towards the new glasses.
New thought.
If a motorhome under 3500kg is to small, maybe consider a truck and trailer. Sorry, I meant a Fifth wheeler. Cost loads, but not eyewateringlyso.
If your GP wants more than £55, look online for "Doctors for Drivers", and save a few quid towards the new glasses.
New thought.
If a motorhome under 3500kg is to small, maybe consider a truck and trailer. Sorry, I meant a Fifth wheeler. Cost loads, but not eyewateringlyso.
Trotter
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Please don't think I was having a pop at anyone. I don't do that, and folks on here have taken exception before, I know I was generalising , but I stand by the fact, the DVLA medical is not a difficult pass. Some are worried about the "treadmill test". It's not part of this. And anyway, they are checking your heart, not your knees. Make the effort, that's all they want.
Your glasses. The law requires you to be able to read a car number plate at a distance of 20 metres. If you can do that, where's the problem.
"How stupid is that" Rules are made for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men". I've no idea which category we fit in. lol
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GeoffL
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While the law requires that you be able to read a car number plate at a distance of 20 metres, that is the minimum standard for a Group 1 (car) licence. If you passed your test before Jan 1997, your car licence originally covered you for "light motor cars" and "heavy motor cars". The equivalent of this in today's categories is B & C1. So AFAICT you can continue to drive those "group 1 equivalent" categories for as long as your licence remains valid. This is "Grandfather's rights". However, driving licences expire at age 70 and the powers that be have decided that you must meet the higher Group 2 medical standards to retain any category C or D entitlement when you renew. Group 2 has higher visual standards, including a maximum strength for corrective lenses. If you can't meet these higher standards, therein lies the problem.
dougbobbill
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Sounds a good idea but I am confused about the weight issue. Category B allows us to drive up to 3500kg MAM, but MAM is confusing. My vehicle is an elderly Mercedes 308 and the I/D plate shows two weights - Permissable total weight 3500kg and Permissable Comb Weight 5500kg. What 'Comb' means I don't know! Nothing is shown on the log book to help out. Someone here may know, otherwise I guess I will have to ask DVLA to explain to me
GeoffL
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That quoted CM article is an eye-opener. From that:
(my bold)
So it would seem that the DVLA may not withhold your licence on the grounds that you need strong lenses provided that you meet all other requirements.
The term "MAM" is defined in the Construction and Use Regulations as "Maximum Allowable Mass"; in other words, the maximum gross weight of the vehicle. For Mercedes, "Comb" means the same as "Maximum Train Weight", which is the maximum gross weight of towing vehicle and trailer together. So the weight of your 308 itself must not exceed 3500 kg and the combined weight of the 308 and any trailer together must not exceed 5500 kg. HTH, Geoff
dougbobbill
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Thanks to everyone for the input. I think I get it now! I will be able to drive my 308 without C1 under the BE category - that is total loaded vehicle weight up to 3500kg, with a trailer up to another 3500kg if needed. That's plenty enough for me! When my wife renewed her licence earlier this year we had no idea that some categories had been removed until I checked after reading this thread - there must be quite a few people out there driving around under the same misapprehension
Kontiki
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As regards the treadmill test it was a big problem for me as I have back problems making walking at even a moderate pace difficult. The test should last 9 minutes I was told by my cardiac consultant, after 8 minutes I was in a lot of pain & obviously struggling so I was told to stop at 8.5 minutes. The ECG was fine, I had a heart attack & triple by pass in 2004, not had any heart issues since then but the first time I applied I was only given a 1 year license, the next year as I previously said I had to fill numerous forms mainly to do with a pacemaker which I didn't have. After all this I got a 2 year license, when my license is due in March I will give up the C1 as it just isn't worth it for me. It does seem to be a lottery though as many people I know who apply get theirs without any problems, one of our friends has renewed his for the 3rd time with no problems at all despite having some serious health problems.
Donrevy
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I had a medical with "Doctors on Wheels" last year £50 and the DVLA refused my application, after several appeals they insisted I went to my own doctor and they even paid for the medical. After 6 weeks I had a letter from them stating that they do not accept medicals from GP's ???
They then insisted that I went to Birmingham to their own designated "specialist" and again they paid for the medical. I received my license back a couple of weeks later but this whole process took 6 months and the license was just for a year. I think the DVLA are a bunch of Muppets. I look forward to applying again in March.
They then insisted that I went to Birmingham to their own designated "specialist" and again they paid for the medical. I received my license back a couple of weeks later but this whole process took 6 months and the license was just for a year. I think the DVLA are a bunch of Muppets. I look forward to applying again in March.
Nil
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Just got my C1 at 70, just phoned D4D and got a local appointment in Lincoln 2 days after, saw doctor who also did eyesight test, he filled in the forms all for £50.00. Just sent them and application form, no test, no photo, now have both C1 and D1 even though I only applied for C1. Licence returned in 3 weeks but photo is of a really fat bloke as I have lost 5 stone since getting last licence.
Bigbarry
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Received my License on Saturday 1st Dec so back in business. Thank you all for your responses it took over 4 months, My doctors medical and form completion £70, plus DVLA sending me for a Treadmill test and 3 separate Blood Pressure test both of which DVLA paid for. This leaves two questions in my mind:
1. - Why isn't there a simple question on the D2 form that the doctor can verify that in his opinion that I am not suffering from any medical condition that would prevent me from driving?
2. - How much does DVLA spend on all their medical staff and additional examinations from Taxpayers money
1. - Why isn't there a simple question on the D2 form that the doctor can verify that in his opinion that I am not suffering from any medical condition that would prevent me from driving?
2. - How much does DVLA spend on all their medical staff and additional examinations from Taxpayers money
scrap heap chalenge
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Hi big Barry I'm 72 now and when I applied for my70+ renewal of my C+ E license I had an 18 month wait and had to apply again after a year but I got the license back without a further medical!
this year I had no wait at all they just took my doctors word for it
Patrick
pj palance
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my medical cost me £90 in oct at my own docs,pj