Approaching 70
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I don't see it that way Ocsid but it will all be even when there is nobody around with grandfather rights plus as I said above the Government is currently reviewing the B category driven by the fact electric powered vehicles will be much heavier than our current vehicles. There has also long been talk of medicals for all the elderly rather than the current self regulation, especially with respect to eye sight tests.
There are going to be changes (yet again) in the not too distant future.
peedee
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Every time I read this thread title, I'm reminded of Bob Hope's enquiry when an elderly actress said she was approaching sixty - "from which direction".
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Can you advise where we can read about the government review of licence rules, and also advise what organisation is talking about medicals for the elderly. When can we expect these changes to be announced?
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I will see if I can find where I read about the Government thinking about introducing further medicals. It was a news item some time ago. With regard to possible changes in B licence weights see >here< It looks like it may only apply to electric vehicles. If so it will introduce yet another anomaly. As to when changes might be introduced, your guess is a good as mine.
peedee
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"Compulsory eye tests for all drivers" is a bit different to "medicals for all the elderly" isn't it. As for the a government licence review, even if there was one because of EV's this would be completely irrelevant to your assertion that "motorhome" drivers are disadvantaged in some way.
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So obbernockle you would be quite happy to see me back on the road with a vehicle and caravan combination weighing close to 5 tons having just failed my medical/eysight test to keep my C1 category licence to drive a 3.8 ton motorhome? This is also what JVB was recommending up thread. I'm at risk driving a vehicle of 3.8 tons but not with a vehicle/caravan combination of 5 tons! Where is the logic in that?
peedee
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One also wonders what economic impact might occur if draconian criteria were applied and vast swathes of retirees were no longer in the caravan/car/motorhome market.
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if you have failed the medical for a C1 licence then I am sorry to hear that. If you have failed the eye sight test then that's even worse because you will be unable to drive any vehicle as the eye sight test requirement is the same for both C1 and B or BE. Assuming you passed the eye sight test and are permitted to drive a motor car then I would be quite happy for you to drive any car and caravan or motor caravan for which you hold a licence.
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I was also considering those in more remote parts of the country. Where perhaps they may have to travel long distances to get one done. It is unlikely the NHS (local doctor) would have any spare capacity.
Out of interest, can any one who has taken one comment on what it involves. Does it measure reaction times for instance. My dad gave up driving voluntarily in his mid 70's. He realised he just could not think and react fast enough. In all other respects though he would have passed a medical.
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Did not someone put on another thread that the standard eyesight test is reading a number plate using both eyes. Whilst the test as part of the medical, tests each eye independently.
As currently you can drive a 5 tonne caravan car combination without a medical, after 70. This would presumably be legal, even if you could not meet the eyesight standards to drive a 3.8 tonne MH
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As far as the eye test standard is concerned, there are only 2 according to the government web site. One for HGV, and another for the rest including C1,B,BE.
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Steve,
The first part is an interview in which the doctor and candidate discuss any existing medical conditions that may interfere with safe driving. Medical history is also discussed. Candidates are expected to be upfront and honest during this discussion. Any dishonesty brought to light by a future accident or violation could result in very unpleasant consequences. If you use your GP this discussion is not usually necessary.
The second part of the medical is an actual physical examination in which the doctor will check the candidate’s vital signs, vision, etc. The entire exam usually takes no more than 30 minutes. During the exam, the attending physician fills out an official DVLA form (D4) that he or she will submit directly to the authorities. You can download a copy of this form from the GOV.UK website.The Doctor does not make the decission as to whether you are fit to drive, he simply reports his findings on the form which is largely a series of tick boxes and the DVLA makes the final judgement.
I note that this year the BMA and the DVLA agreed the fees GPs are allowed to charge for the examinations. This is cheaper than I have paid in the past so I am hoping to pay less for my next medical. This may also be a move towards facilitating wider medical checks.
peedee
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Did not someone put on another thread that the standard eyesight test is reading a number plate using both eyes. Whilst the test as part of the medical, tests each eye independently.
That is correct and in my case it is checked with and without glasses and my licence is endorsed with the code 01 which means I am only licenced to drive wearing glasses even though I can just read a number plate at 20 meters
peedee
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As a Type 2 Diabetic of thirty years and having just renewed ( satisfactorily !! ) my 3-yearly Medical Driving Licence on line may I add my threepennorth please.
The eyesight requirement is that :--
Looking forwards I can see laterally an angle of 160 degrees using both eyes with a minimum of 70 degrees per eye. None of this involved any tests, just MY Statement that I can achieve the requirement with glasses / contacts if needed.
This is rather like holding my arms out at 90 degrees with my fists clenched and the thumbs extended and bringing them forwards slowly until I can see them !
Vertically the test was much, much less stringent but still only required my, obviously unbiassed opinion !
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The standards are different.
C1, B and BE all require the lower eyesight requirement.
PSV and HGV groups require the higher eyesight standard.
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HGV & PSV Medicals are much more stringent. You have do it every 5 years once you reach 45, it has to be done by a doctor and includes blood pressure check, Heart, Eyesight among may other things, It's quite a big booklet that gets filled in by the doctor. You may also have to undertake a tread mill fitness test if you have certain Heart conditions.
I didn't renew mine when it was due 3 years ago because, I don't need it for work anymore, It would have costed about £100 and if I did want to do a bit of part time driving it would have meant having to also start accruing the mandatory hours of vocational training to comply with the Drivers CPC you now have to have.
I don't know about the 7.5 ton medical, but if its just a bit of form filling every year once your 70 then why not keep it going.
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I have not read all of this thread, so apologies if I'm repeating something.
Both the standards and the timings for a C1 licence renewal are different for drivers who passed their tests before or after 1 January 1997. For example, drivers who passed their tests later need to renew at 45, 50, 55 and 60 and then annually from 65 by attending a medical practitioner who completes a form with current stats eg blood pressure etc and eyesight examination. Eyesight requirements are (slightly) more stringent than for those who passed their test earlier than 1997.
I think much of the confusion is that the official websites mention only lorry and bus drivers under C1 and that leads to us to think that there are different requirements for us motorhome drivers. But the difference is really whether or not you have 'grandfather rights'. Those who do need only to renew at 70 and for 3 years at a time.
C category medicals are even more stringent but follow the same timetables as C1.
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Sorry, peedee, I forgot to give the link for visual acuity. It's here:
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Thank you Wex for the clarity. I suspect there was no seperate C1 test prior to 1997 and I had not given any thought to what the medical requirements and test intervals are for holding a C1 obtained after Jan 1997. To me the confusion comes from when you passed the driving tests and you must also be careful not to confuse the categories "C" and "C1". I accept the medical test are more stringent between the categories in that unlike grandfather rights, testing starts earlier in life and the intervals between test get shorter with age but what ever C category is being medically examined they are all requested to be completed in accordence with a common format recorded on the D4 and this is what has to be returned to the DVLA in order to retain any C, and C1 licence including the C1 obtained with grandfather rights.
Appart from the time intervals I am not aware of any other differences.
peedee
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