Grampa rights renewal at 70

[Deadsfo]

A couple of interesting post have popped up on GWAYGWAY POST 'A' CLASS MOTORHOME I dont wish to hijack his thread hence this thread . My licence expires in 2017 when I will be 70,my present licence allows me to drive upto 7.5ton obviously in 2017 that could all change depending on what actions I take ,so I would like to hear from any of you out there who have negotiated this obstacle what is the procedure or more to the point what procedure did you take and would/could you have done it any differently, what is the extent of the medical required and is a medical required every three years thereafter,and.how early can you begin the proceedings for the renewal .
I would be very interested to hear your points of view and experiences of renewal.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

As you see I have that worry too, but it seems to me that the DVLA have a target to get older drivers off the road altogether as well as the heavier ones.
The idea that one day it is OK but the next you are no able to do it is odd. I have a history going back to my younger days which involved losing my commercial pilots licence, in case I had a heart attack. I could go to a 'doctors on wheels' and lie or I could take an Exercise ECG and fail so either way I am going to be stuffed. The DVLC seem to be demanding these checks even with a good pass report from a doctor which is why I think they must have targets.
I need a vehicle that is heavy rated now but with a lower payload to get in the regulations later on with a bit of lowering the weight of STUFF in/on it.
I probably will not be interested later on so I will go for the bigger van now and worry later.

 

[delicagirl]

As you see I have that worry too, but it seems to me that the DVLA have a target to get older drivers off the road altogether as well as the heavier ones.
The idea that one day it is OK but the next you are no able to do it is odd. I have a history going back to my younger days which involved losing my commercial pilots licence, in case I had a heart attack. I could go to a 'doctors on wheels' and lie or I could take an Exercise ECG and fail so either way I am going to be stuffed. The DVLC seem to be demanding these checks even with a good pass report from a doctor which is why I think they must have targets.
I need a vehicle that is heavy rated now but with a lower payload to get in the regulations later on with a bit of lowering the weight of STUFF in/on it.I probably will not be interested later on so I will go for the bigger van now and worry later.

Hi could you explain what this is about please ? thanks

 

[John H]

When you reach 70, to retain the C1 category (motorhome over 3.5 tonnes) you will have to get a doctor to fill in DVLA form D4. The form is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/d4-medical-examination-report-vision-assessment--2 , so you can judge in advance whether or not you are likely to have any problems. It may be that the doctor is not able to complete the vision part of the form and you may have to consult an optician as well. There will be a charge for all this (it isn't covered by the NHS!) which I am told is currently around £60. If you are concerned, you would be best advised to consult DVLA directly and/or have a word with your doctor well in advance.

 

[andyjanet]

Hi delicious, you need a medical to drive over 3.5 tonne when you are seventy, this thread is about that but you don't need to worry it's still 25 years before you need one as you've only just turned 45

 

[andyjanet]

Ha ha delicious judging by the title you thought grandpa were protesting about their rights because they were getting renewed at 70, remewed for a younger model

 

[delicagirl]

Ha ha andy !!! nice one.. made me smile... :dance: I will still be dancing at 70 ! this thread has raised a question for me though... how do I know the weight of my van ? its not on the log book as it was imported last year...... I recall from an earlier post months ago weigh bridges can charge loads to weigh your van ......

 

[Deleted member 967]

The medical is not onerous at all. If you go to your own doctor they will be able to complete all of the details. If you go elsewhere you will get no advantage other than the fee charged, as DVLA will still contact your own doctor to obtain your medical history.

I knew I had eye problems (monoptic). First encountered this as a problem at 21 when I obtained a PSV licence. I contacted DVLA Medical Division about a year before my licence was due to expire, after taking having an eye test at the opticians. I sent them the opticians reports and they confirmed that I would meet the standard required. At the renewal time had my medical after another eye test at the opticians (including field of vision test, which the doctor wasn't equipped to do) and sent all the papers in and got my renewal without problem.

If you feel you could not pass the medical, I would question "are you actually fit to drive any vehicle" never mind one over 3500kg. I am happy and reassured that I can pass the medical.

I am due for my next medical/renewal next spring and I have already set the wheels in motion by getting the forms from DVLA and having a chat with my doctor. Off my own bat have an annual eye test to the standard required to give me peace of mind.

If in doubt contact DVLA for guidance.

 

[Siimplyloco]

I've just read the entire Medical Report and right now I would fly it, but anything can happen in the next 21 months!:scared:
John

 

[Deleted member 5759]

If you do not have any heart problems or stents, physically its not a problem if you can pass the treadmill test (10 minutes) linked up to an ECG

If you cannot pass the treadmill which is basically a means of stressing your heart you can ask to take a radio active CT scan type apraisal, costs DVLA plenty evidently but its your right

You get injected with a radio active die plus another one which puts your heart rate well up and it gets scanned, you then do it all again in a weeks time with the heart at normal

I passed that and got my qualifications back for another 3 years but once that expired decided not to bother again

Peter

 

[delicagirl]

If you do not have any heart problems or stents, physically its not a problem if you can pass the treadmill test (10 minutes) linked up to an ECG
If you cannot pass the treadmill which is basically a means of stressing your heart you can ask to take a radio active CT scan type apraisal, costs DVLA plenty evidently but its your right

You get injected with a radio active die plus another one which puts your heart rate well up and it gets scanned, you then do it all again in a weeks time with the heart at normal

I passed that and got my qualifications back for another 3 years but once that expired decided not to bother again

Peter

hi so what speed do you have to get up to on the treadmill to pass the test ?

 

[listerdiesel]

I think that DVLA will not return the C1 group after your 70th birthday if you have not renewed it with a medical.

It is after all a 'Grandfather Rights' entitlement for those who passed their tests before 1997.

Renewal after 70 is yearly I think you'll find, with the medical requirement. The 3 years renewal is for the standard car licence.

DVLA send you renewal doc's 56 days before it is up for renewal.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-renewal-after-45-lorry-minibus-bus

Peter

 

[vwalan]

there is no tredmill test its just a straight forward hgv medical at 70 if you want to keep the c1 etc.
just like the hgv /coach licence how do you do a tred mill test if you have no legs .
i have mine in calipers have never had to do one and i would say neither has any hgv driver ,unless you ave other medical problems and have to go for the further medical withdvla doctors . i have done them and still have c,ce ,d ,de,licence .
i,m not 70 but still require medicals every five years to keep them.
mind from what i see many drivers should have to re take their tests even for driving every five years .

 

[John H]

I think that DVLA will not return the C1 group after your 70th birthday if you have not renewed it with a medical.

It is after all a 'Grandfather Rights' entitlement for those who passed their tests before 1997.

Renewal after 70 is yearly I think you'll find, with the medical requirement. The 3 years renewal is for the standard car licence.

DVLA send you renewal doc's 56 days before it is up for renewal.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-renewal-after-45-lorry-minibus-bus

Peter

The current requirement for a C1 licence after the age of 70 is that you submit a D4 medical return every 3 years: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/355040/INF4D_010814.pdf

 

[Deleted member 967]

I've just read the entire Medical Report and right now I would fly it, but anything can happen in the next 21 months!:scared:
John

Yes anything can happen. A friend of mine passed a pilots medical then dropped dead from a heart attack a month later. However don't get stressed about the medical at 70 to keep C1 licence. If you are OK its not a problem.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

Hi could you explain what this is about please ? thanks

bit difficult but I would like a 3860 kg van that is also able to be dropped down again to 3500kg with a paring of weight, Give it clean out of all the heavy bits I usually carry, generator 4 gals spare can of diesel in case extra, gas bottles, spare cassette, awning, wifey all the bit I do not actually NEED to have but is nice but puts it over the top of 3500. 3860 cheaper to tax and easier to load 3500 too busy worrying about being stopped overweight.

My problem is that I do have a stent, I was given one of the very first in the country, many years ago, However they picked up the the reason I had a problem was small arteries, a problem since childhood. Small arteries can block up with a SMALL amount of plaques that would not affect others at all. Because of this I get severe tiredness come over me during heavy exercise as the Bruce protocol exercise test is. I know I cannot do it so I am not going to have the heartache of having it all taken away. I have had no problems but it is the unusual condition that gets plonked into the Heart Attack category and to try and battle against the rules would be a pointless exercise as they would get me the next year or the next. I DO NOT WANT TO PEDAL THE BLXXDY THING. my disablement at the wheel is actually very low bu to try and tell a rule follower that is impossible. I do suggest that those that think they will go through it should try to use a treadmill at the local gym and just see what 12 minutes at that gradient is actually like. Some of those at 50 on these site could not do it. especially the fat ones.

 

[Deleted member 5816]

Front axle, Rear Axle plus Full weight is about £5 but that in Yorkshire Money so I suppose it will be a lot dearer down there.

alf

Ha ha andy !!! nice one.. made me smile... :dance: I will still be dancing at 70 ! this thread has raised a question for me though... how do I know the weight of my van ? its not on the log book as it was imported last year...... I recall from an earlier post months ago weigh bridges can charge loads to weigh your van ......

 

[maxi77]

The place that does my MOTs includes the weight in one of the printouts.

 

[listerdiesel]

The current requirement for a C1 licence after the age of 70 is that you submit a D4 medical return every 3 years: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/355040/INF4D_010814.pdf

Quoted from that document:

"When do you need a D4
• If this is your first application for a Group 2 licence. This includes small and medium sized lorries, full sized lorries, buses and minibuses.
• If you are applying to renew your Group 2 entitlement at 45. From 45 on, a D4 will be needed every 5 years until you are 65 when it will be needed every year."

Peter

 

[delicagirl]

hi - I have looked at my log book and MOT documents and there is no weight to be found. David.. where is this plate you mention ? Where should I look for it ? My van was imported from Japan in the summer of last year and clearly was not weighed on import. It is a small van, just fitting into one parking bay, so nowhere near as large as many on here......

if it is less than 3.5tonnes... do I need to be even worrying about medicals ?