CDT Test (Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin)

Convicted Driver Insurance
If DVLA have labelled you dependant and has been confirmed by medical evidence then if you want your licence back do take the good advice that's been offered to you, also you need to record a last alcoholic drink date with your regular GP as this is when your new temporary licence will start from once your 12 months of abstination is complete......CDT reading must be in the region of 0.7/0.8/0.9 anything above shows a regular drinking pattern has surfaced again......
 
I'm exploring all avenues at the moment. How do you know that the level of CDT has to be less than 1. This site and the DVLA state 2.1 and 1.6 respectively. I've certainly misused alcohol in the past but the psychiatrist I had then always signed for my licence and I drink a fraction of what I used to. What sort of medical evidence would confirm it?
 
The 2.1 and 1.6 relates to ‘ordinary” people. You are in the “special” category of being alcohol dependent and this requires abstention from alcohol, permanently. You will be likely to get a temporary 1 year licence if you can show you have abstained, but will face the same process for 6 years.
As has been said, you need to show regular checks and test results from your GP for the past year before you even get a 1 year licence.
It is set out here:


Dependence confirmed by medical enquiry
Also refer to alcohol related seizure below
✘- Must not drive and must notify the DVLA.

Licence will be refused or revoked until after a minimum of 1 year free of alcohol problems.

Abstinence is required, with normalised blood parameters if relevant.
✘- Must not drive and must notify the DVLA.

Licence will be refused or revoked in all cases of any history of alcohol dependence within the past 3 years.

Abstinence is required, with normalised blood parameters if relevant.


For both driving groups:

■ licensing will require satisfactory medical reports from a doctor
■ the DVLA may need to arrange independent medical examination and blood tests
■ referral to and the support of a consultant specialist may be necessary.
 
Your GPs and physiatrist input are for guidance and advice about your medical condition, the final decision will rest with DVLA ......in accordance to what catergory they put you `in and what type of licence is issued.....
 
Thanks honestman, I'm seeing my GP on Tuesday, hopefully he'll agree to writing a report in my favour. I've also contacted a solicitor who's going to lodge an appeal. I've got nothing to lose although I don't really have much hope.
 
Well all you have to lose is.... MONEY! The solicitor will will whatever the outcome.... and there is no legal aid available for a case like yours.
Was the solicitor honest with you about the chances of an appeal being successful? I can tell you that in the 6 months April-September 2019, out of all the appeals made to the court (although I don't have how many that was) the number of successful ones were: ZERO !!
How do you think you will be the exception and persuade the court that the DVLA reports are wrong?
Also, You will have no chance of a court hearing for months, as they are only dealing with urgent criminal matters at the moment and when that is lifted they will have a backlog of other cases to wade through so an appeal that seems certain to fail is going to be way down the list of priorities.
You said: “I dispute the alcohol dependency, this was written by a nasty psychiatrist because I had the nerve to criticise his colleague.”
how will you evidence that the psychiatrist made up the diagnosis? Your GP saying they feel you are OK to drive is not going to overturn the expert opinion of a psychiatrist>>>>>>>>

I am just trying to be realistic about what an appeal entails.
 
Last edited:
Thanks honestman, I'm seeing my GP on Tuesday, hopefully he'll agree to writing a report in my favour. I've also contacted a solicitor who's going to lodge an appeal. I've got nothing to lose although I don't really have much hope.
Just reading back over your posts and unfortunately any admittance to the DVLA about having a drink while running on a temp licence and you will be subjected to their rigourus and strict process such as 12 months revocation and the need to supply medical evidence `for the 12 months, however do be mindful when you are running on a temp licence you can NEVER consume alcohol `again and must be free from al`cohol for life, crap I know but these are the strict conditions which we must meet as part of our deal `to satisfy DVLA in order for us to keep our licence, when you do get `your licence back again record your last alcoholic drink date with your GP and use this date at every DVLA medical in future and when asked the question "how often do you have a alcoholic drink answer=NEVER, just to add I've never seen `or heard `of anyone beating DVLA at court, the evidence suggests you,should of remained alcohol free and you've admitted to a drink...therefore your more likely To fall back into alcohol issues making you medically unfit to drive, `"in other words you do not meet the medical fitness to drive" but please do work on your liver function tests......
 
Last edited:
Spoke to my GP today, it's that b'stard of a psychiatrist that's said I was alcohol dependent. My GP also said they wouldn't do any blood tests, does anyone know where you're meant to get them done if the GP won't do them?
 
Spoke to my GP today, it's that b'stard of a psychiatrist that's said I was alcohol dependent. My GP also said they wouldn't do any blood tests, does anyone know where you're meant to get them done if the GP won't do them?

Your GP will not do CDT tests, but every GP should be able to provide you with Liver Function Tests. If they refuse this change GP. You can challenge the psychiatrist's diagnosis, I challenged my doctor on my diagnosis of alcohol dependence and had it amended to misuse.
 
Just reading back over your posts and unfortunately any admittance to the DVLA about having a drink while running on a temp licence and you will be subjected to their rigourus and strict process such as 12 months revocation and the need to supply medical evidence `for the 12 months, however do be mindful when you are running on a temp licence you can NEVER consume alcohol `again and must be free from al`cohol for life, crap I know but these are the strict conditions which we must meet as part of our deal `to satisfy DVLA in order for us to keep our licence, when you do get `your licence back again record your last alcoholic drink date with your GP and use this date at every DVLA medical in future and when asked the question "how often do you have a alcoholic drink answer=NEVER, just to add I've never seen `or heard `of anyone beating DVLA at court, the evidence suggests you,should of remained alcohol free and you've admitted to a drink...therefore your more likely To fall back into alcohol issues making you medically unfit to drive, `"in other words you do not meet the medical fitness to drive" but please do work on your liver function tests......

I had no idea that my quack had said I was alcohol dependent, which is why I admitted to drinking. I'm waiting on my GP posting out his letter so I can give it to my solicitor. It seems so wrong, I was a really heavy drinker for years and always got my old psychiatrist to write a suitable report and, now that I drink within the guidelines I get banned. I'm planning on reporting the psychiatrist to the care commission as he's petty and vindictive.
 
Your GP will not do CDT tests, but every GP should be able to provide you with Liver Function Tests. If they refuse this change GP. You can challenge the psychiatrist's diagnosis, I challenged my doctor on my diagnosis of alcohol dependence and had it amended to misuse.

That's what I'm hoping for, I have admitted to misuse in the past. I may have this wrong but I think the psychiatrist has said I historically was alcohol dependent which my GP has read as being alcohol dependent in the last year (which is not true). Whatever happens I haven't given up the fight.
 
Well all you have to lose is.... MONEY! The solicitor will will whatever the outcome.... and there is no legal aid available for a case like yours.
Was the solicitor honest with you about the chances of an appeal being successful? I can tell you that in the 6 months April-September 2019, out of all the appeals made to the court (although I don't have how many that was) the number of successful ones were: ZERO !!
How do you think you will be the exception and persuade the court that the DVLA reports are wrong?
Also, You will have no chance of a court hearing for months, as they are only dealing with urgent criminal matters at the moment and when that is lifted they will have a backlog of other cases to wade through so an appeal that seems certain to fail is going to be way down the list of priorities.
You said: “I dispute the alcohol dependency, this was written by a nasty psychiatrist because I had the nerve to criticise his colleague.”
how will you evidence that the psychiatrist made up the diagnosis? Your GP saying they feel you are OK to drive is not going to overturn the expert opinion of a psychiatrist>>>>>>>>

I am just trying to be realistic about what an appeal entails.

I live in Scotland, there's legal aid here which I'm pretty sure I'm entitled to. My old psychiatrist has retired, if I could get him to give an expert opinion from him, I may have a chance (he signed for my licence for years). Yeah I know, it may be months until it comes to court, least I have an abstinence date of 21 March 2020, just need to get through the next 10 or so months.
 
If your admit to drinking anything more than the weekly recommended units which is 14 units you will either be deemed to be an alcohol misuser or alcohol dependant. Doctors have got A LOT stricter with that over the past 2 years.

Reporting him will do nothing, the NHS will stand by his diagnosis as it's the word of a psychiatrist against the word of a patient, a record of everything you have ever told them will be available to refute what you're claiming. As Honestman has mentioned before this, even if you're "historically" alcohol dependant the amount you are allowed to drink with that on your medical history is 0 if you want to hold a driving licence. You need your GP to be 100% on your side to have a medical diagnosis changed like I did.
 
I live in Scotland, there's legal aid here which I'm pretty sure I'm entitled to. My old psychiatrist has retired, if I could get him to give an expert opinion from him, I may have a chance (he signed for my licence for years). Yeah I know, it may be months until it comes to court, least I have an abstinence date of 21 March 2020, just need to get through the next 10 or so months.

A psychiatrist who is no longer practicing can not be used to appeal. You can't win against the DVLA in court, the courts back their decisions 100%.
 
If your admit to drinking anything more than the weekly recommended units which is 14 units you will either be deemed to be an alcohol misuser or alcohol dependant. Doctors have got A LOT stricter with that over the past 2 years.

Reporting him will do nothing, the NHS will stand by his diagnosis as it's the word of a psychiatrist against the word of a patient, a record of everything you have ever told them will be available to refute what you're claiming. As Honestman has mentioned before this, even if you're "historically" alcohol dependant the amount you are allowed to drink with that on your medical history is 0 if you want to hold a driving licence. You need your GP to be 100% on your side to have a medical diagnosis changed like I did.

I never admit more than the recommended units, I've admitted misuse in the past but never dependence. I want to report him for all his 'care' not just this. I think it's sinking in with my GP but I don't know if he would go against the psychiatrist but I'm going to work on him.
 
Hi guys, the DVLA law changed Feb 2019 and of course anyone admitting to a drink after this date (alcohol dependance) is revoked and expected to show 12 months of Abstination and medical evidence, before you could get away with the odd drink here and there, special occasions however this has changed DVLA do not inform you and a lot of people get caught out, you can follow DVLA advisories every April and October of each year to see how and if they plan change the rules, DVLA alcohol&drug minutes......
 
Hi guys, the DVLA law changed Feb 2019 and of course anyone admitting to a drink after this date (alcohol dependance) is revoked and expected to show 12 months of Abstination and medical evidence, before you could get away with the odd drink here and there, special occasions however this has changed DVLA do not inform you and a lot of people get caught out, you can follow DVLA advisories every April and October of each year to see how and if they plan change the rules, DVLA alcohol&drug minutes......

Thanks honestman, I didn't realise there had been a change as I have had short term licences for many years but from what people are saying things are very different now.
 
Yes you need to keep on top of it all the time, however for you now is to show 12 months with medical evidence, don't waste your time or money on a solicitor DVLA will not back down and ALWAYS win in court, however do record your last alcoholic drink date with your GP as this is when your new temp licence will start from 1 year on and take photos of your paperwork when you attend your DVLA medical, this then will remind you next time you attend your DVLA medicals and your last drink date will always be the same (showing Abstination) which DVLA expect and therefore another licence will be issued in accordance with your alcohol dependence........if you google DVLA alcohol and drug minutes it makes for good reading, and will tell you there are no winners in court with DVLA ......last but not least if you do have the odd tipple or special occasion then tell no one......
 
Yes you need to keep on top of it all the time, however for you now is to show 12 months with medical evidence, don't waste your time or money on a solicitor DVLA will not back down and ALWAYS win in court, however do record your last alcoholic drink date with your GP as this is when your new temp licence will start from 1 year on and take photos of your paperwork when you attend your DVLA medical, this then will remind you next time you attend your DVLA medicals and your last drink date will always be the same (showing Abstination) which DVLA expect and therefore another licence will be issued in accordance with your alcohol dependence........if you google DVLA alcohol and drug minutes it makes for good reading, and will tell you there are no winners in court with DVLA ......last but not least if you do have the odd tipple or special occasion then tell no one......

Wow, scary stuff, I've just skimmed it as I'm off to bed now. Thanks again for your input it has given me loads of food for thought and I'll read those minutes tomorrow. I have recorded my last alcoholic drink as being 20 March 2020. Yeah, my lips are sealed, good advice!
 
Enter code DRINKDRIVING10 during checkout for 10% off
Top