Rufus, let’s turn this around, you are worried that the advice being offered on here as proof of abstinence or controlled drinking for DVLA purposes may not be correct, despite many people going that route. What route would you advocate going down?
Because you will not get a “definitive” answer from DVLA, there isn’t one! LFT’s are not a definitive answer because they can be affected by other factors, but in the absence of other factors they are acceptable. CDT tests can be “proof” of absence, but you will not get a GP to do them.
You have to remember that DVLA are dealing with High Risk offenders who have driven with a high reading, failed to supply or had 2 convictions in 10 years. That, coupled with a history of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependency means that they can, and should, take “whatever medical enquiries are deemed appropriate” to satisfy themselves that a person is fit to drive.
This is a list of suggested tests for alcohol use, there is blood LFT and CDT testing, but also hair and urine samples suggested. I have not heard of anyone on this site that have used hair or urine as proof, but perhaps you could ask DVLA if they would accept the latter two, I would imagine that they would...... but even then you have to persuade your GP to do them for you.
Recommended alcohol testing for best practice
The combined profile of blood tests and hair tests should be selected for
all new cases where there is no reliable previous testing history.
Alcohol Profile:
- Blood tests for: LFT, CDT, GGT-CDTr and MCV
- Hair tests for: EtG and FAEE
- Urine test for: EtG*
Alcohol, despite being legal and widely available, is recognised as one of the most harmful of the drugs of abuse. Excessive use has a dramatic impact on a person’s social responsibility and behavior. Alcohol only remains for around 24 to 48 hours in the blood, breath or even urine and it does...
www.forensic-testing.co.uk