DVLA Over 70 Treadmill Test

[jimbohorlicks]

What is the medical reason that has to be in place before a treadmill test is required? is it anyone with a any previous heart issues? or is there a time limit for a prior heart condition for example.

 

[Kontiki]

What is the medical reason that has to be in place before a treadmill test is required? is it anyone with a any previous heart issues? or is there a time limit for a prior heart condition for example.

That's the problem I have heard of people who have had previous heart problems & their license was given. They possible are being more cautious in the event of things like the Scottish bin lorry crash, but to me he lied about his condition & surely his doctor should have reported he was unfit to drive. I'm guessing anybody who has had heart problems, my heart attack & by-pass operation was over 12 years ago with no other heart related problems since. Anybody wanting a bargain I can see the future being one with lots of PHGV motorhomes (over the 3.5t) being difficult to sell. People who passed their test after 1997 don't have the C1 entitlement & to get it they would have to take another test. Not sure what the test would involve but it obviously would incur extra costs.

We are currently without a MH, taking a holiday in Spain for my 70th birthday & taking the family with us. We are hiring a couple of cars & I was going to be put as an extra driver but it bumped the price up too much, just have to be a back seat driver. At least I won't have any worries about drink driving.

 

[maingate]

The alternative to the treadmill if you cannot complete it is the gamma drug one where you are injected with a radio active die and a drug which increases your heart rate (puts it under a drug induced stress/workload)

You then lie is a machine similiar to a CT scan for 20 minutes whilst it takes a 'video' of your heart beating.

You then have to gp back in a few days time and repeat the scenario without your heart being stressed and they then compare the two results.

I passed mine but you have to do it again to renew in three years and I could not be bothered again, it costs the DVLA a lot of money.

The only reason I had to do it was because I had a couple of stents in my groin, nothing to do with my heart, it was blood circulation to legs !!

Peter

Hi Peter,

I had those tests last year. There is no need for a radioactive dye now. They spray something under your tongue to simulate exercise and you get the scan done on your heart. In my case, I had a second one done the following day which slowed down the heart rate while the same tests were taken.

 

[listerdiesel]

What is the medical reason that has to be in place before a treadmill test is required? is it anyone with a any previous heart issues? or is there a time limit for a prior heart condition for example.

Download the Form D4, which is the medical report form, and also download the 'Information & Useful Notes' from this page:

D4: Medical examiner report for a lorry or bus driving licence - Publications - GOV.UK

There is yet another form, a medical reporting form that has ALL of the things in it that may prevent you having your licence. I have that in my file at work and will post the Form name/number tomorrow.

Look here as well:

Health conditions and driving - GOV.UK

Peter

 

[Kontiki]

I see that on the list of medical conditions is déjà vu. But I'd already seen it before I think.:rolleyes2:

 

[Kontiki]

Hi Peter,

I had those tests last year. There is no need for a radioactive dye now. They spray something under your tongue to simulate exercise and you get the scan done on your heart. In my case, I had a second one done the following day which slowed down the heart rate while the same tests were taken.

Can you ask for the drug induced heart test or is it up to the hospital? In my case I suffer with spine degeneration which has affected my left leg making walking difficult at times. On good days I can do reasonably well but at times I need to use crutches to help me get around.

 

[Steve121]

Test pass date

Worth noting that if you passed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you'll need to take the C1 or C test if you wish to drive a vehicle of those classes, regardless of your age.
Check which vehicles you can drive here.

 

[maingate]

Can you ask for the drug induced heart test or is it up to the hospital? In my case I suffer with spine degeneration which has affected my left leg making walking difficult at times. On good days I can do reasonably well but at times I need to use crutches to help me get around.

I don't see why not. Your GP would probably know better though, it's worth asking.

 

[Kontiki]

Rang the consultant's secretary to try to book an appointment, she had only just seen the letter & said they would get in touch with me but it should be quite quick. I asked about could I opt for anything other than the treadmill such as the bicycle or the drug induced stress test but she said the letter from the DVLA said it had to be the treadmill. She said if the consultant found I couldn't complete the test for reasons other than heart problems then he would have to contact the DVLA to see if any other test was available. Looked at the letter from the consultant that the doctor sent with the application dated 2009, on this I completed the Bruce protocol test but shortness of breath stopped any further testing & there were no heart problems detected.

 

[Kontiki]

Treadmill Test

Had the treadmill test on Friday, I had explained to the secretary that I did have walking problems due to lower back problems but she said again that they couldn't do anything other than the treadmill test without authorization from the DVLA. Did the test after being all wired up, was able to wear my back support & was allowed to hold onto the sides, I still only managed to get to just over 8 mins than had to stop as I was really struggling. Speaking to the consultant he said that there didn't seem to be any problems with my heart & he would do his report to the DVLA but couldn't say if it would be ok or not. Just have to wait & see, resigned to the fact that probably get it rejected. I think though that unless something showing there is a problem with my heart I have grounds to appeal & have the chemically induced stress test. Glad we did decide to sell the van last year as we wouldn't have been able to go away with this hanging over us, will make sure any new van can be plated at 3.5t with a decent payload.

I did apoligised to the doctor for taking up hospital time but as he said the hospital gets paid for this & its a good income.