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Type 1 Chrisfox

C

Chrisfox

Member
Messages
6
I have recently received a letter from the DVLA as I renew my license every 3 years. I am being asked to go for a medical examination at my gp’s, I assume the reason for this is my continual postponements of my hospital appts due to Covid . I have been asked to pay £150 for this by my GP. Is this correct. Very annoying
 
Hi,

Blimey. that's a new one..
I normally fill out the DIAB1 form send & it to the DVLA.
There is a section asking when you last had an appointment on the form.

But i have never incurred a charge either from DVLA or my HCPs or associated admin for a box tick regarding "fitness to drive."
 
Jaylee said:
I'll tag a few of the guys in who i know hold UK driving licences. @urbanracer @searley @Juicyj

How long have you been diagnosed??

& a warm welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

Hi

I have been type 1 for 30 years now. I think because of my checkups being cancelled at the hospital due to Covid the DVLA are concerned with the length of time since my last appointment (about 18 months). I do understand this as they need to make sure of my fitness to drive, but through no fault of my own I am now expected to pay £150. Seems very unfair
 

Sorry Jaylee. Thanks for your help.
 

Yep, that could be the issue. I got marked as a "no show" early last year after they sent four letters to see the consultant with two different dates in two separate hospitals? I had to ring up & sort it out & make sure I was attending the right place.. (This was just before the first lockdown.)

However, 150 quid does seem excessive for a fitness to drive signature.
 
Crikey - I can understand charges for things like malaria vaccinations and special letters but that's a bit strong for something they are supposed to be doing anyway.

I think I got lucky as I renewed my licence at the end of last year and had managed to squeeze in an appointment at the beginning of the year before the first lockdown hit.
 

It does seem to be down to the difficulty with appointments being cancelled due to Covid. I can understand this but even so you would think consideration would be given to circumstances. I never miss a check up at the hospital, but Covid has affected my ability to do this. I think taking payments for something that is normally a routine check up is in no way fair under the current climate
 
Chrisfox said:
I am being asked to go for a medical examination at my gp’s,
Click to expand...

Do they know there's a lockdown? I would have thought that that sort of appointment could wait till after lockdown. And I agree, 150 seems expensive. I never had to pay for such a thing in the UK (but left in 1999). I suspect that due to lockdown there will be a whole lot of other people in your position, as many clinic appointments have been cancelled.

And 18 months between appointments isn't long at all...
 

Hi EllieM

I have no problem with prioritising Covid problems, they are far more important than my check ups. My issue is nothing has been put in place either by the DVLA or GP’s to cover the cost of my examination. I have had a license all of my diabetic life and never failed to have it renewed. I think my next port of call may be the DVLA.
 
As far as I was aware, the dvla paid the GP directly for the fee for the medical. In 2019 I applied for a HGV license that also incurred a £150 medical fee but as above the dvla directly paid my GP for his services. Seems strange that they’ve asked you to pay it
 
Maco said:
Seems strange that they’ve asked you to pay it
Click to expand...

Maybe contact the surgery again and check whether the DVLA will cover the fee? The receptionist may have made a mistake....
 
EllieM said:
Maybe contact the surgery again and check whether the DVLA will cover the fee? The receptionist may have made a mistake....
Click to expand...

Hi all

Thanks everyone for your input. I think there are a few questions I need to ask, from both the DVLA and GP surgery. There does not seem to be a definitive answer to this which is frustrating, I think the timing of my renewal has a lot to do with it. Hopefully I will get answers and will let you all know. Cheers again
 
Yes £150 for a medical DVLA is high and not what I would expect.

My mother not diabectic has to have a vision test but the DVLA say you have go the company they have the contract with and with Covid they will not make these bookings so she was no longer able to drive when her licanse ended. After a bit of digging and after the first lockdown was lifted we found out that even though DVLA wouldn't make the appointment we could make a private appointment with the said company but had to pay a fee - however this was only £30.00 so it was done - however it was not until last week did she get the driving license so from June to January she was unable to drive.

I assume your GP thinks this is a private appointment and why they are wanting to charge you £150.00.

I just hope this isn't the standard as mine is up this April and yes had the eye screening in January (no issues) and had a phone call appointment with the hospital will be sufficent as getting into see the GP (impossible at the moment 2/3 days just to get through on the phone) plus they don't look after my diabetes and be charge will be awful.

I do hope your questions with your GP will bring your the correct result - no charge.
 
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