How to make a complaint about the DVLA medical assessment process

DVLA Medical Drink Drive Advise Please

Convicted Driver Insurance

edge1536bwm

Member
Hi I am looking to get my licence back within the next month or so. Tough will have to take the DVLA doctor medical assessment.

I wanted to check if my weekly units would be ok, as I was disqualified for drink driving high risk.

I currently drink a minimum of 14.4 units per week, being over the weekend (Fri - Sun nights) and at maximum would be 21.6 per week. I only ever drink these units through lager being Carling (4%) and never have mad nights in excess or drink higher volume drinks as I do not like them. So this works out at 8 minimum per week Carling cans, maximum of 12.

Mon - Thu nights I am always T total.

I do not take any drugs.

I am male, 5 foot 4 I think, and about 10.5 - 11 stone in weight.

Any ideas if I should pass?

Thanks​
 
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That should be fine for the CDT test, if you have been doing that for a couple of weeks, with a month to go to the medical.
You could still have problems if you have had alcohols issues in the past 2-3 years and they check with your doctor, who reports them to DVLA, but your current consumption is within recommended limits - you do not have to be teetotal.
 
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Hi thanks for your reply.

I can state that I considered myself at one point to be alcohol dependant and was drinking far far too much at the time, until I sorted my act out 1 and half years ago, at which time I stopped drinking all together. However, my GP was never aware of it and so will not be on my records and I did not make use of or get referred to any help services nor was I given medication for it as I dealt with the issue on my own.

I started drinking again at this new level from about 2 months ago but not problematic any more, I drink now for socialising and enjoyment only.

Should have put that before really.
 
Hi again, just wondered if I should still be all good for my medical regards the further information I added above?

Also could anybody give me an idea of how long it takes from sending the application to getting a medical date?

Many thanks in advance!
 
Sorry, I missed your last.
from what you say, you should by fine, just stick to 21-28 units max until your medical.
the timescale for DVLA varies, you can e pect to hear from them usually between 1-3 weekd after you apply. They will tell you which doctor in your area you have to make an appointment with, giving you 6 weeks to make that appointment. In reality you should apply asap to not delay the process.
 
I have just booked my medical test today and have to wait a further 4 weeks until the actual test and then the up to 15 days after that to here anything back! Ban is up on Wednesday but still a minimum of 6 weeks to wait (and hope everything is ok!). What a process!! I applied for my license approx 4 weeks ago and just got the letter Tuesday with my local medical centre details to book the medical.
 
That shows how important it is to apply as soon as you get to 3 months before you are due to get your licence back. From what you say, you only left 5 weeks, which is seldom going to be enough.
when we're you disqualified before 1st June 2013 you can ask DVLA for an authority to drive under S88 Road Traffic Act 1988 when your ban expires, pending the outcome of the medical. If you were banned after that date, I am afraid you will have to wait for the outcome of the medical, which could take several weeks.
 
Hi again, just wondered if anybody could help me regards insurance, full years licence held business.

I passed and got my licence for a car in 2006, so in theory I have held a licence for 9 years. But I got banned for 2 years in 2008 - 2010, but have never got round to paying to get it back until now 2015. I have not got to re-take a test at all, only a medical due to drink driving.

So if all goes well with the medical and I pass, how many years for licence held would I state to the insurance company to be legally and properly insured without any issues should I ever need to claim on it?

Many thanks
 
edge1536bwm said:
Hi again, just wondered if anybody could help me regards insurance, full years licence held business.

I passed and got my licence for a car in 2006, so in theory I have held a licence for 9 years. But I got banned for 2 years in 2008 - 2010, but have never got round to paying to get it back until now 2015. I have not got to re-take a test at all, only a medical due to drink driving.

So if all goes well with the medical and I pass, how many years for licence held would I state to the insurance company to be legally and properly insured without any issues should I ever need to claim on it?

Many thanks
Click to expand...

You would state you have held your licence since 2006, when you first passed your test.
 
Thanks for that.

Also does anyone know of which medical centre I will be attending for my area Tamworth, as I am trying to get an idea of how to get there.

Thanks
 
Hi still at around 30 units max per weekend, over 3 day basis Fri - Sun.

Just wondered as my medical is on a Wednesday not this week but after, and there is a weekend before that would I be safe to drink as usual on that weekend baring in mind there is only 2-3 days clearing time before the medical?

I am a naturally anxious person, am I panicking over nothing - I could not drink but would like to have a couple as usual if people think I'll be ok?

Thanks
 
Forgot to add I regularly take milk thistle, vitamin b complex suppliments and started drinking the warm water + lemon juice mix. I also take additional milk thistle and Vit B over the weekends when drinking.
 
If it helps also, and for others I take my milk thistle tablets are 8580mg, Vitamin B Complex unsure of mg (just says 100% daily dosage?), lemon and water is 2 table spoons lemon juice in half mug water. I take all these every morning after waking 7 days religiously.

As I usually have a drink from Friday night I would have had my usual morning dosage, then I have another lot around 5pm before drinking commences at around 6-7pm, I the take another lot at bed time. Same goes for Saturday and Sunday. Monday is a double dosage morning as usual and afternoon just to help the old system a bit. Then I don't drink from Monday until the next Friday night.
 
I think you have answered your own question. You are an anxious person, and wonder if you might come unstuck this weekend for your medical by drinking 30 units - not exactly a couple of drinks either! - despite your rigorous regime of milk thistle and supplements. (Which, by the way, have debatable results) in which case, don't drink this weekend. Short term suffering (if you can call it that) versus long term gain.
What you are doing is classed as 'binge drinking' and is liable to show up on the CDT test with a reading of above 2.9%.
 
Hi Alex/Other users

Hope that you are good, I would like your advice about the CDT testing and the medical questionnaire.
I am due to get my licence back in October but have to go through a medical for failing to provide a sample of breath. Absolutely worried about it. My drink intake used to be 1/4 bottle of Vodka daily and 2/3 cans of normal 4% Lager. I have done this for the past 2 years except Sundays as for religious reasons where I don't Drink nor smoke.
However I require my licence back and have decided not to drink at all from now on. I am due to receive my application for my licence at the beginning of July and have refrained from any alcohol intake since end of May'15. I sincerely hope that you could answer the following questions if possible for me

1. What is the likelihood of me passing the CDT test and medical if I continue to refrain from drinking for 6 weeks or more?
2. Do they consult your GP?
3. How long after submitting your application for your Driving Licence do you hear from the DVLA about booking your medical appointment?
4. How long after the medical do you hear from the DVLA whether they will be issuing you your driving licence
5. How do you complete the medical questionnaire asking if you have a drink/alcohol problem, personally I do not think I have as I can refrain from it on a Sunday and have done so since the end of May' 15.
6. Does the questionnaire ask if you had an accident as a result of you alcohol consumption?

I am really worried about this and would appreciate some advice..............Thank You Kindly
 
Reason my units have gone up since the start of the thread, is that a couple months ago I switched from lager after taking more of a liking to bitters and ales a taste thing is all. Particularly Newcastle Brown, Bass and Guinness.
 
So sorry about this I got it wrong regards units, this weekend just gone I actually thought I was around the 30 mark, just checked out my drinks to find I have only had 27.4 units from Friday to Sunday. This being Friday = 8.8, Saturday = 10.6, Sunday = 8.

Though previous couple weekends due to going away/holiday weekends, and indulging in the local pubs have equated to around 30. In general all weekends prior to going away would have been around 27-28 mark.


A rough idea of my CDT % based on this, baring in mind will not have drunk anything alcohol wise from Sunday yesterday through to the 2nd Wed after, thus giving 8-9 days clearing?

Thanks in advance!
 
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Hi again, just wondered if anybody could tell me if and how eyes are tested in the medical, if so do they use a standard optician type chart, a car number plate or something different?

Also if anybody could say what distance the test is done at, and what smallest size lettering is acceptable to pass so I can give myself a practice run and check my lenses are good enough, thanks.

Oh and from info above in last post, anybody give me a rough idea of my expected CDT % if poss, many thanks.
 
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