DVLA urges HGV drivers to book a D4 medical

GPs have been told to prioritise D4 medicals for professional drivers, despite the current exemption remaining in place, according to the DVLA.

The licensing agency said it had been working with the British Medical Association (BMA) to ensure doctors were aware of the need for HGV drivers to have D4 medical appointments so that they are available to work.

The government relaxed the medical requirement as part of the licence renewal process in April last year, in order that doctors and nurses could focus their resources on Covid-19.

The suspension was meant to last for a year, but the anniversary has now passed and the decision to keep the exemption in place has been criticised by doctors’ network D4Drivers.

However, in updated guidance on its website, the DVLA now encourages drivers to book a medical: “The temporary scheme, put in place because of the impact of coronavirus on NHS doctors, to issue one year lorry and bus licences to drivers aged 45 and over without a D4, is ongoing but only in exceptional circumstances, if you are unable to get a D4 medical examination,” it said.

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The DVLA said that the waiver scheme only applies under the following conditions: your licence expired after 1 January 2020 or if you have not already been issued a one-year licence in the scheme.

“If your licence shows your entitlement to drive lorries and buses expired between 1 August and 31 December 2020, and was automatically extended for 11 months, you cannot apply to the D4 waiver scheme for a one-year licence without a D4,” it added.

“You must renew, with a D4, when your 11-month extension is due to expire.

“Only in exceptional circumstances should you apply to DVLA without the D4 medical report.”

Last week, a BMA spokesman told motortransport.co.uk: “While the one-year exemption for requiring a D4 remains, the BMA continues to be in discussions with the DVLA to ensure that any new developments are acceptable to the medical profession while providing adequate safeguards to the public.”