HGV Medical: What you need to know

There are many hoops to jump through when it comes to getting or renewing your HGV drivers licence. Arguably the biggest hurdle among aspiring or experienced commercial drivers hoping to secure or renew their licence is the HGV medical exam.

The Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) requires HGV drivers to be in reasonably good health to operate commercial vehicles on public roads. Our comprehensive guide to the HGV medical exam includes the medical requirements and steps you’ll need to take in order to complete yours.

A guide to the HGV medical exam

Every new driver must undergo an HGV medical exam with accompanying paperwork (D4) that is submitted to the DVLA by the Doctor who performs the examination. Experienced drivers are also required to undergo a new medical exam every time their licence comes up for renewal.

An HGV licence in categories: C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E, is valid for five years. Every five years up to age 45, you’ll need to sign a declaration to confirm that you still meet the medical standards. After the age of 45, you’ll need to provide a medical examination report every five years to renew your driving entitlement.

The HGV medical is comprised of two parts:

1. Discussion with the attending doctor

You will be interviewed by a doctor. During this you will have the opportunity to discuss any existing medical conditions that may interfere with safe driving, whether they’re physical or mental. Your medical history will also be discussed.

2. Physical examination

The doctor will check your vital signs, vision and many other things. The entire exam usually takes no more than 30 minutes, during which the attending doctor fills out an official DVLA form that they will then submit directly to the DVLA. Should you wish to do so, you can request a copy of the form from the DVLA.

HGV medical requirements

Every driver needs to meet the DVLA HGV medical requirements to receive approval from an NHS GP or approved private physician. These standards check for, amongst other things:

• Impaired eyesight

All HGV drivers must be able to read a number plate from a distance of 20 yards, either with or without glasses or contact lenses. If you do need glasses, your prescription needs to be no higher than +8, and your vision needs to be 160 degrees or above. If you’re not sure what your vision is like, make an appointment to see your optician.

• Neurological conditions

Neurological problems can have serious consequences for any driver whether you’re driving a large lorry, or even just a car or motorbike. A physician will examine the HGV driver and ask questions relating to things such as epilepsy, seizures, blackouts, memory problems, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease, narcolepsy and cataplexy, stroke, prior brain surgery, or any chronic neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis.

• Mental health

HGV drivers must also be in good mental health. Doctors will want to discuss all sorts of mental health issues including depression, hospitalisation for psychiatric issues, dementia, cognitive impairment, and many others.

• Heart conditions

Any heart problems that aren’t being controlled and treated are going to raise red flags on a medical exam. That’s anything from heart attacks, angina, stroke and even atrial fibrillation. If your condition is being treated and managed properly, then there shouldn’t be any sort of issues, but there are some exceptions. For example, you can’t drive within three months of having heart bypass surgery, or within 12 months of a stroke or unexplained period of unconsciousness.

• Diabetes

Diabetes is not something that’s going to stop you from becoming an HGV driver. It’s a very common illness and affects around 9.5% of the population. If you have diabetes all you have to do is demonstrate that you can keep it under control. This usually means you will need to record twice-daily glucose testing, and if you have insulin-treated diabetes you’ll need your most recent three months of glucose readings stored on a personal meter, ready to produce on request.

• Sleep disorders

A leading cause of serious accidents among HGV drivers is a lack of sleep. As such, the HGV medical exam includes looking for signs and symptoms of sleep disorders. This is one area in which candidates must be especially honest, especially as having a sleep disorder does not necessarily mean automatic disqualification. As long as the disorder can be managed, the candidate should be able to proceed.

• Alcohol and drug usage

Like any vehicle, it is illegal to operate an HGV with drugs or alcohol in your system. Because of this, it is almost impossible for a chronic alcoholic or drug user to hold an HGV driving job. During the HGV medical, a doctor will look for any signs of chronic drug and alcohol use.

How much does the HGV medical exam cost?

The DVLA unfortunately does not mandate that NHS doctors provide the medical exam free of charge. Because of this some GPs may charge a fee for the exam. Before setting up an appointment with your GP, it’s worthwhile seeing if there is a cost involved and if so, what that cost is. The average charge for an HGV medical is usually around £56-£63 including VAT.

Please be aware that your GP practice may have a backlog of healthcare appointments and waiting times may be longer, therefore HGV medicals will need to be booked in advance. Not having your HGV medical up-to-date will prevent you from taking on new work.

Do you need support renewing your HGV medical?

At Search Driving, we do more than just fill roles. We work closely with our drivers to support them as they undergo licence applications and renewals and keep them informed of any changes to the medical requirements. We also establish flexible shift patterns and a schedule that suits our drivers, along with a competitive market rate and weekly pay. Find out more about the benefits of driving for Search and apply to our driving jobs today.