Three score years and ten.

[briwy]

Word of warning if you reach this age then you have to renew your driving licence. If like me then you probably have groups that allow you drive vehicles over 3.5t etc. If you want to retain these groups then you have to have to get the relevant forms and have a medical and eye test. All fairly straightforward.
The problem comes in the the time it takes the DVLA to process this as it has to go off to what they call the medical department where apparently a doctor then goes through the medical report and decides if further action is needed.
This takes ages, I have now been waiting for my new licence for over three months and have called the DVLA every couple of weeks for updates to be told it's still with the medical department and they have no idea of timing. I last rang a couple of days ago to be told the same thing. I then said I needed my licence as I am off the France. Then told option then is to get the ordinary under 3.5t licence without the extra groups and it will be sorted at a late date. Told them to go ahead and then suddenly an about turn and and told the full licence will be with me in the next few days. Time will tell but what an absolute balls up. Only saving grace is that you are allowed to drive still while your new licence is being processed but if you want to go abroad, or hire a car you are stuffed.
Incidentally, I have since found out that there are companies specialising in doing the medicals. Google HGV Medical and it will show those in your area. My GP relieved me of £130 but these guys seem to be around hald that.
Now got to do the same performance every three years.

 

[Rich20]

I use d4drivers for my hgv medical every 5years. £50 including an eye test. Did it a local hotel. All very efficient. My doctor wanted well over £100.

 

[WelshGas]

Not part of the GPS NHS contract so done as a Private Patient Consultantion.

 

[Andy]

I pay about £40 for hgv medical now every 5 years.
You can still drive as long as DVLA has verbally acknowledged reciet of the form. A colegue has been waiting for a couple of months now.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[briwy]

Finally turned up in the post this morning. Two days after my last chat with them and telling them I need the licence to go to France. So it look as if the way to get them moving is telling them you are going abroad.

 

[Borris]

Finally turned up in the post this morning. Two days after my last chat with them and telling them I need the licence to go to France. So it look as if the way to get them moving is telling them you are going abroad.

Hello Brian,
Unless I've missunderstood your post, as far as I am able to recall, twas forever thus. Unless things have been changed in recent years, the HGV licence has always needed to be renewed every few years (five I think) and that always involved a fee, a medical, an eye test etc as well as all the usual paperwork and it always took an age to get your licence back.

You clearly still need to retain the HGV element of your licence. I no longer had cause to drive HGVs so decided not to renew mine after I retired thirteen years ago. The system may well have changed since then.

 

[Geoff York]

I am an artic driver age 73
After 70 you need a medical every year
I use company called doctors on wheels £ 50
They use a modified motor home
Give you all the forms and takes 10 mins
Various uk locations to rendezvous
I meet them in a lay-by near york
Slick cheap service
Highly recommended
Local doc wanted £130
Check on line
Ps anyone going to Germany on Cali trip in April
If so look forward to seeing you there
Best regards Geoff

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

I use d4drivers for my hgv medical every 5years. £50 including an eye test. Did it a local hotel. All very efficient. My doctor wanted well over £100.

Snap! In my case being 67 I have to have the medical every year. Takes less than a week but it's a different (and far more efficient) department for HGV licences.