Those over 45 with pre 1997 licences - help!!!

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pennyturner

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I have received a form d47p from DVLA, which says that my 'bus and lorry' entitlement is going to expire, and I need to complete a huge form, medical report, new photos etc. It's only recently I renewed my licence with new photos.

I have a 'normal' pre 1997 licence with C1, D1, BE, C1E, D1E, but no HGV or PSV.

Is this a mistake, or some new horror I don't know about? If I don't do this, do I lose my right to drive up to 7.5 tonnes or tow?
The explanatory leaflets all read like they're intended for commercial drivers.
 
I have a pre 1997 licence and this is a bit alarming! I haven't received anything like this......but I feel I need to add a "yet". I'm really hoping it's a mistake as I've just bought a 6 tonne lorry and haven't even driven my horse to a show yet....eeek!
 
News to me too. OH and I both had HGV2 and HGV 1 licences, but we decided to let them lapse when the bog forms came in.

My box is only a 3.9, but I thought that entitlement stayed?

We need ROG!
 
I would hope it's a mistake or there's going to be a lot of fed up and cross 'oldies' around.
My licence is the same as yours and I haven't had any forms.
You can check o the dvla website what your licence allows, you need your licence number and national insurance number so it is just for you
 
Did you ever drive for a living? Grandfather's rights for those driving 7.5 tonners for a living expired in,2013, I think, but not for private use.
 
It sounds like a mistake. I had to change my licence to a photo one due to a notifiable medical condition, and I have not had anything like this happen.
Give them a call to clarify it!
 
I believe pretty much everyone is on the photo card licences these days all these licences, well the ones I've seen anyway, on the back have expirey dates on your entitlements and to renew these entitlements you do need to fill out the forms provided.
 
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Have to say, I've just spent about an hour reading through it all, and I'm getting freaked out. It looks like I need to pay for a costly medical (D4) report, and possibly send off new photos, as well as a my original driving licence and passport (not quite sure about this last, as the guidance says clearly to send it, and not to send it, in two different places). Photos may or not be required, and again it isn't clear, but it does seem to add to the cost if you send them. As for my eyesight, I have never been to an optician in my life, so I couldn't give a 'Snellen' score - which they seem to want... the only thing I've ever had trouble reading in my life is the accompanying notes to this bloody form!
 
The back of my photocard says C1 valid to 2042, i.e. my 70th birthday. Nothing about 'subject to some horrific medical and form filling exercise'.
 
It's only of you drove for a living, surely? I can't find any reference online to any change for personal use.
 
ossy said:
I believe pretty much everyone is on the photo card licences these days all these licences, well the ones I've seen anyway, on the back have expirey dates on your entitlements and to renew these entitlements you do need to fill out the forms provided. I'm a pre 1997 licence and my c1 entilement is valid to 2028 and my car 2053.
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All of mine expire when I'm 70. There is no difference on the C1 to the car, or moped or any of the other categories.
 
I looked up the Giv website, and it is spectacularly unhelpful, as it talks about Lorries and Minibuses, ut not about the size of them

https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-renewal-after-45-lorry-minibus-bus

On the bright side, my 3.9 is certainly a VAN, so not a minibus or lorry, so I am clear with that one.

I suspect they mean lorries over 7.5 tonnes, and minibuses over 12 seats, but they certainly do not specify.
 
Done more digging and found...

Drivers who were awarded a Group 1 category B (motor car) licence before 1 January 1997 have additional entitlement to categories C1 (medium-sized lorries, 3.5t to 7.5t) and D1 (minibuses, 9 to 16 seats, not for hire or reward). Drivers with this entitlement retain it only until their licence expires or it is revoked for medical reasons.

See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-information-assessing-fitness-to-drive

That would lead me to believe the forms have been a mistake, but I will be interested in what the DVLA tell you when you call tomorrow!
 
Red-1 said:
Done more digging and found...

Drivers who were awarded a Group 1 category B (motor car) licence before 1 January 1997 have additional entitlement to categories C1 (medium-sized lorries, 3.5t to 7.5t) and D1 (minibuses, 9 to 16 seats, not for hire or reward). Drivers with this entitlement retain it only until their licence expires or it is revoked for medical reasons.

See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-information-assessing-fitness-to-drive

That would lead me to believe the forms have been a mistake, but I will be interested in what the DVLA tell you when you call tomorrow!
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Unless the lisence is due to expire I suppose? Would be interested to know what DVLA say too.
 
I'm actually one without a photo card license. At the time there were just too many scare stories of entitlements being revoked "by accident" and then being impossible to get back without more money. I've never changed address and have no notifiable medical conditions so I just didn't bother.

A colleague told me that photo card licenses only last 10 years because the photo goes out of date. I don't dispute the forms were sent in error - but do these licenses expire? Might that be why?
 
Thanks everyone. I'm a bit calmer now. Most logical explanation would be my name coming up on a database somewhere, perhaps because I did the theory test years ago... they must have me down as a HGV driver. I'll let you know what they say tomorrow. (if they answer the phones in between downing Lambrusco and doing the conga).
 
Hubby renewed his two years ago, and just received a standard renewal form... No requirement for medical or anything else.

I'm guessing it's a mistake.

Fiona
 
It has to be an error on the part of DVLA because the LAW for all pre 1997 licence holders is that the entitlements expire at age 70 UNLESS a medical issue has been notified to them

Scan your licence - both sides - NOW ....... so that it can be proven in the future

Also look here = https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence under vehicles you can drive which shows expiry dates - take a screen shot and save it
 
ROG said:
It has to be an error on the part of DVLA because the LAW for all pre 1997 licence holders is that the entitlements expire at age 70 UNLESS a medical issue has been notified to them

Scan your licence - both sides - NOW ....... so that it can be proven in the future

Also look here = https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence under vehicles you can drive which shows expiry dates - take a screen shot and save it
Click to expand...

Thanks ROG.
The DVLA site shows the same as my licence... that my entitlements expire in 2042, and licence is due for renewal in 2026.
Have copied my licence, and feeling much relieved.
 
pennyturner said:
Thanks ROG.
The DVLA site shows the same as my licence... that my entitlements expire in 2042, and licence is due for renewal in 2026.
Have copied my licence, and feeling much relieved.
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Take that screen shot of your entitlements because then they cannot argue with their own system
 
it is an error.

I have a HGV and PSV licence, used to drive coaches and deckers. A class 2 medical is needed every 5 years from age 45 to 64 then an annual medical, subject of course, to me wanting to retain my licence. I doubt I will ever drive HGV or PSV again but I won't let them lapse just in case I need to earn extra money.

Last year my 10 year photo care expired alongside needing a medical and a name change after I remarried. £112 later the licence was updated and that was using a cheap doctor to do the medical. My own doctor wanted £180 ! The medical was £40 and the rest DVLA fees.
 
Apologies for hijacking thread OP but I am 70 in a couple of years and obviously passed my test pre 1997. I drive a 3.5 ton horsebox and wish to carry on doing so. I have had no reason to change my licence in over 30 years does anyone know if I have to change any thing now or shortly?
 
Meredith said:
Apologies for hijacking thread OP but I am 70 in a couple of years and obviously passed my test pre 1997. I drive a 3.5 ton horsebox and wish to carry on doing so. I have had no reason to change my licence in over 30 years does anyone know if I have to change any thing now or shortly?
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At age 70 you sign a medical self certificate to keep any A and B categories
To keep any C or D categories a D4 medical needs to be taken and passed and that will last for 3 years
For those that passed specific tests for any C or D categories the D4 medical only lasts for one year from age 65
 
pennyturner said:
I have never driven commercially, although I did once pass my HGV theory - I never got around to doing the practical.
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I suspect you have a provisional category C entitlement, which requires a medical at 45. From memory, if you do nothing, this will just expire and that should be the end of it - but probably safer to tell DVSA and get them to update the details.
 
View said:
I suspect you have a provisional category C entitlement, which requires a medical at 45. From memory, if you do nothing, this will just expire and that should be the end of it - but probably safer to tell DVSA and get them to update the details.
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I should have cottoned on to this - thats why they sent you the forms - to renew your LGV provisional at age 45

I bet if you go to that link and look in provisional entitlements it gives an expiry date 2016/2017 for the LGV

As said - do nothing and that LGV provisional entitlement will be suspended until you do another D4 medical - no need to contact DVLA as that will happen automatically
 
Goodness me!! That was alarming. Heart rate back to normal by the time I got to the end of the thread though :)
I still have a pink paper licence. Am I right in thinking I don't need to renew that.
 
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