Medical relaxation does not include drivers with acquired rights

Drivers with grandfather rights are excluded from the DVLA’s relaxation of the D4 medical requirement during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Drivers who obtained their car licence prior to 1997 are also entitled to drive goods vehicles from 3,501kg to 7,500kg GVW, as well as towing trailers with a GCW over 3.5-tonnes.

However, the DVLA has confirmed it has no plans to ensure these drivers are also temporarily exempt from driver medicals.

The Department for Transport announced last month that it was relaxing the medical requirement for professional drivers (CM 23 April), enabling them to acquire a temporary licence if it expires this year, or has expired since 1 January.

Thousands of HGV drivers had feared they would lose their driving entitlements due to GPs and private providers no longer carrying out the medical.

But by not extending the temporary relaxation to drivers with grandfather rights it means this category of driver will still need to obtain the D4 medical, a process made difficult by the absence of examinations currently being carried out.

The DVLA’s decision means it likely they will be unable to renew their licences until D4 medical exams are restored after lockdown rules are eased.

When Commercial Motor approached the DVLA, a spokesman confirmed that there were no plans to change the rules for drivers with grandfather rights.