In this in-depth guide, we discuss everything you need to know about the HGV medical and answer all your questions. If you want to skip to a particular topic, just use the contents section below. If this guide does not answer your question, feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us on 0113 543 4588.
Contents
What is an HGV Medical?
If you are considering a career as an HGV driver, the HGV medical, also known as the D4 medical assessment is one of your first steps on this journey.
To drive these large vehicles, you must apply for a group 2 license. Holders of a group 2 license are held to higher medical standards than drivers with a standard group 1 license (cars and motorcycles). To ensure that applicants for a group 2 license are in reasonably good health, the DVLA created the D4 driver medical assessment.
The D4 medical involves an approximately 15 to 20 minute consultation and medical examination with a registered doctor, who fills out a D4 medical form for you. You then send the completed D4 medical form along with other paperwork to the DVLA, who make a decision about whether you are eligible and medically fit for a group 2 license and to drive an HGV.
What's the difference between an HGV and D4 medical?
An HGV medical is the same thing as a D4 medical. ‘D4’ is the name of the form that is filled in during an HGV medical.
How often do I need an HGV medical?
An HGV medical is needed when you first apply for your HGV license. After this, you must undergo a medical when you turn 45 years of age and then every time you renew your HGV license. All of the following groups must undergo an HGV medical:
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First time application: An HGV medical is needed on your first application for an HGV license (group 2 license).
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Age 45: An HGV medical is needed when you reach the age of 45.
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Age 45 to 65: An HGV medical is needed every 5 years.
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Age 65 onwards: An HGV medical is needed every year.
How much does an HGV medical cost?
The price of an HGV medical depends upon where you go. Generally speaking, you will find that your own GP is the most expensive option and it is not unheard of for them to charge £100 or more for an HGV medical.
An online search of ‘hgv medical’ will bring up many private companies that will offer this service to you. On the whole, they are the most cost-effective option and prices typically range from £50 to £70.
At Auto Medicals, we charge £50 for an HGV medical, which we believe is a fair price that allows us to deliver a quality service and at the same time make a small profit.
What does an HGV medical involve?
An HGV medical takes about 15 minutes to complete and involves the following:
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Confirm ID: To begin with, your doctor will confirm your identification using your ID document.
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Eyesight check: They will then move on to an eyesight check. You will be asked to read some letters on a chart to measure the strength of your vision. If you wear glasses or lenses, your doctor will check your last prescription.
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Blood pressure check: After this, your doctor will check your blood pressure. If the reading is high, they will give you five minutes to relax and then repeat it. It can be repeated up to three times and the lowest reading is documented.
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A chat about your medical history: Throughout the medical, your doctor will ask you various questions about your health, and use these answers to fill in the D4 medical form.
What are the medical requirements for an HGV medical?
The final decision about whether you pass or not rests with the DVLA and each case is considered on an individual basis.
If you have any medical conditions, such as epilepsy, diabetes or others, your case must be considered on an individual basis, as the likelihood of passing will depend upon things such as how well controlled your condition is, which medications you take, how long you have been off medication and more.
If you are unsure about whether you meet the medical requirements, feel free to give us a call on 0113 543 4588 or email us at [email protected] and we can advise you further.
Does the HGV medical involve a blood test?
No, there is no blood test component of the standard D4 HGV medical.
Does the HGV medical involve a drug test?
It is illegal and dangerous to operate an HGV under the influence of drugs or alcohol. During the medical, your doctor will look for signs of drug and alcohol misuse on examination. There is no formal ‘test’ to check for levels of drugs in the urine or blood as part of the D4 HGV medical.
Does the HGV medical involve a urine test?
In some cases, the doctor may recommend you undertake a urine test to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine, which is a sign of diabetes.
How long does an HGV medical take?
A standard HGV medical usually takes about 15 minutes to complete, however, if you have a longer medical history, it may take up to 30 minutes.
I am turning 45, do I need an HGV medical?
Each time you renew your HGV license, the DVLA require you to undergo the HGV medical. At the age of 45, the DVLA require you to renew your HGV license and for this, you must undergo an HGV D4 medical.
Between the ages of 45 and 65, you must renew your HGV license every 5 years and will therefore require an HGV medical every 5 years.
You can learn more about HGV license renewal if you’re 45 or over on the DVLA website.
I am turning 65, do I need an HGV medical?
From the age of 65 onwards, you are required to renew your HGV license on a yearly basis, and must have an HGV medical every year.
What should I bring with me on the day of my HGV medical?
For the doctor to fill out your D4 medical form, you must bring certain items with you to your HGV medical appointment. They include the following:
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ID document: usually your driving license
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Glasses or contact lenses (if you wear them)
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Glasses prescription: Your last prescription for your glasses (if you wear them)
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List of medications: A list of medications you take (if any)
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Ongoing medical conditions: Letters, documents or correspondence about any ongoing medical conditions that you see a doctor for (if any)
Without all of these items, your D4 medical form cannot be completed by your doctor. Unfortunately, we have seen many drivers turn up to appointments over the years and forget to bring one of these items, which has led to a wasted journey and a delay in applying for their group 2 license. So, our advice is to have all these documents ready!
Which forms do I need for an HGV medical?
As part of your application for an HGV license, you need to complete two forms, they are Form D4 and Form D2.
Form D4
The D4 form is the medical application form that you must complete with a doctor.
Form D2
The D2 form is the license application form you complete when applying for your group 2 license. The doctor is not involved in the completion of this form.
Where can I get the D4 and D2 form from?
You can get a D2/D4 pack by ordering it straight to you via post through the DVLA website for free by clicking here or visiting your local post office and picking up a pack for free. Both forms come in an envelope as seen in the picture below.
If you book an HGV medical with us, we have plenty of spare D2/D4 packs in our clinic branches.
How do I fill in the D4 form?
Filling in the D4 form can be confusing, so we have put together an easy explainer video that takes you through the process step by step:
How do I fill in the D2 form?
The D2 form can be even more confusing to fill in than the D4 form! Let’s go through it in this easy step-by-step explainer video we have put together for you:
Where do I send the completed paperwork?
Before you send everything to the DVLA, make sure you have all the correct items together.
(1) Correctly filled in in D2 and D4 form
(2) Your current driving license: This may or may not be needed depending upon your application status. Please check with the DVLA in advance.
Once you have these things together, you can send them to the DVLA at DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR.
How long is an HGV medical valid for?
Once your doctor has filled in your D4 medical form, their signature is valid for 4 months. This means you must apply for your HGV license within 4 months of having the D4 medical.
Who decides if I pass the HGV medical?
Once your HGV medical is complete, the ultimate decision about whether you pass lies with the DVLA, not the doctor who carried out your D4 medical exam. The doctor carrying out your D4 will simply fill out the form according to the facts and it is then up to the DVLA to decide if you are medically fit for an HGV license.
What are the HGV medical eyesight requirements?
Wearing glasses or lenses is by no means a barrier to obtaining an HGV license. However, the DVLA do have clear criteria about the minimum strength of your vision and the maximum strength of your glasses prescription to obtain an HGV license.
Strength of Vision (Visual Acuity)
The strength of your vision (known as ‘visual acuity’) is usually measured using a Snellen chart, as seen in the image below.
The minimum eyesight standards set by the DVLA for HGV drivers are a visual acuity of at least 6/7.5 in the better eye and 6/60 in the poorer eye.
That means you should be able to read till at least (and including) the 6th line down (6/7.5) on the Snellen chart above with at least one eye (with or without glasses). And the other eye should have an acuity of at least 6/60, which means you should be able to read the biggest letters at the top of the chart with the other eye.
Strength of Glasses Prescription
If you wear glasses, you must also bring your latest glasses prescription. Your prescription will look something like the picture below, with all kinds of weird and wonderful numbers on it:
The DVLA guidelines state that the diotropes (the strength of your lenses) should not exceed +8 in any of the lenses.
What is the blood pressure limit for an HGV medical?
In order to meet the DVLA group 2 standard, your blood pressure must not consistently be above 179/99. In other words, if your blood pressure is 180/100 or more, you will not meet the medical standards for an HGV license.
However, having high blood pressure does not simply write you off from driving an HGV. If you have high blood pressure, it is important you book into see your own GP, who may consider starting you on medication to bring your blood pressure under control. Once your blood pressure is better controlled, you can repeat your HGV medical.
What if I have high blood pressure on the day of my HGV medical?
If your blood pressure is high on the day of your HGV medical, your doctor will usually repeat the reading up to three times. If it remains high, they will advise you to see your own GP for consideration of blood pressure control, which is usually done with tablet medication. Once your blood pressure is better controlled, you can undergo your HGV medical. At Auto Medicals, we do not charge our drivers if this happens and allow them to re-book an appointment.
Where do I find a doctor for my HGV medical?
Some people go with their local GP for an HGV medical. However, with the current pressures on the NHS, it can be near impossible arranging an appointment with your GP. Our drivers have typically found that this option is the most expensive, with some reporting medicals costing £100 or more! Another thing to consider is that your local GP probably does not fill in many D4 medical forms as part of their routine job and chances of errors can be higher, which may potentially delay your group 2 license application.
A popular alternative is to find a private company which specialises in driver medicals. The main benefit of going with a private company is that you can arrange an appointment quickly and according to your convenience. Another benefit is that these companies specialise in driver medicals and are likely to be less prone to error when completing the D4 medical form. And if price is a consideration, a private medical is usually much cheaper than your local GP, with prices ranging from £50 to £70.
At Auto Medicals, we are a trusted provider of HGV medicals to drivers across the nation at cost-effective prices. Our experienced doctors ensure a convenient, hassle-free and speedy service to help get you on the road. You can book online by clicking below or call us on 0113 543 4588 for further information.
