I'm T1 on an insulin pump, reasonably healthy and well-controlled, no complications so far thank goodness.
I've held a Category C licence - rigid vehicle, no weight limit - for a couple of years and I'm 61 yo. I don't drive professionally. My last renewal involved a D2, VDIAB1 forms and an interview with an independent endocrinologist at a hospital some distance away. This was handled by the Medical Section at the DVLA and took around 6 months.
My licence expires this month, so last September I contacted the DVLA Medical Section to check the renewal procedure and kick it off. They said that I needed D2 and VDIAB1 forms, and didn't need D4 until 5 years, so I sent these off.
In November the Vocational Section replied asking for a D4 - Doctor's and Optician's report - which I sent them. I called the DVLA today to check progress and was told that I need a report from my diabetic consultant. As this has usually been followed by a request for an independent consultant's report, I asked whether they would require this, if my own consultant gave the all clear. They wouldn't answer that saying it would depend what was in the report.
They told me that Category C licences and renewals are handled by the Vocational Section and a D4 is required every year for those with medical conditions from the age of 45. This contradicts their D4 Guidance Notes, which say every 5 years, but they were adamant. Another staff member from the Medical Section said they handle only 'cars'; Category C is the Vocational Section irrespective of any medical conditions.
The issue is that going through this three stage process one step at a time takes around six months to complete, as the DVLA reliably take four weeks to reply to each form or report, and the two consultants they nominate hold one session per month for the DVLA, which may be fully booked weeks in advance. I can drive in the UK under Section 88 but not abroad which I (would) do in the winter.
The D2 and VDIAB1 followed by a report from the independent consultant could easily have been completed by now.
@searley Can any other Category C drivers comment on their recent experience of the renewal process and whether it's possible to progress faster?
Maybe I should start next year's renewal in May with D4, D2 and VDIAB1, get the first two steps out of the way by the autumn and have time to book the final stage a couple of months before my licence expires.
What do you do?
I've held a Category C licence - rigid vehicle, no weight limit - for a couple of years and I'm 61 yo. I don't drive professionally. My last renewal involved a D2, VDIAB1 forms and an interview with an independent endocrinologist at a hospital some distance away. This was handled by the Medical Section at the DVLA and took around 6 months.
My licence expires this month, so last September I contacted the DVLA Medical Section to check the renewal procedure and kick it off. They said that I needed D2 and VDIAB1 forms, and didn't need D4 until 5 years, so I sent these off.
In November the Vocational Section replied asking for a D4 - Doctor's and Optician's report - which I sent them. I called the DVLA today to check progress and was told that I need a report from my diabetic consultant. As this has usually been followed by a request for an independent consultant's report, I asked whether they would require this, if my own consultant gave the all clear. They wouldn't answer that saying it would depend what was in the report.
They told me that Category C licences and renewals are handled by the Vocational Section and a D4 is required every year for those with medical conditions from the age of 45. This contradicts their D4 Guidance Notes, which say every 5 years, but they were adamant. Another staff member from the Medical Section said they handle only 'cars'; Category C is the Vocational Section irrespective of any medical conditions.
The issue is that going through this three stage process one step at a time takes around six months to complete, as the DVLA reliably take four weeks to reply to each form or report, and the two consultants they nominate hold one session per month for the DVLA, which may be fully booked weeks in advance. I can drive in the UK under Section 88 but not abroad which I (would) do in the winter.
The D2 and VDIAB1 followed by a report from the independent consultant could easily have been completed by now.
@searley Can any other Category C drivers comment on their recent experience of the renewal process and whether it's possible to progress faster?
Maybe I should start next year's renewal in May with D4, D2 and VDIAB1, get the first two steps out of the way by the autumn and have time to book the final stage a couple of months before my licence expires.
What do you do?
