So, checked online today and my licence has finally been issued - thankfully it is valid until 2026 (due to the photo needing to be renewed after 10 years) so no jumping through the hoops of the medical again - full licence, not another medical one!
My timescale is as follows;
July 2020 - 1 year medical licence reissued after previous ban
April 2021 - Forms received to reapply for my licence after my previous 1 year medical licence - sent off straight away
July 2021 - Previous 1 year medical licence ran out, was able to drive on S.88
July 2021 - Letter from DVLA, writing to my GP - spoke GP and they had filled in forms and returned
September 2021 - Letter from DVLA - not received previous GP report, writing again.
September 2021 - Spoke GP again, filled forms in again and posted straight away
November 2021 - Received DVLA letter, invite to book medical
December 2021 - Medical carried out
January 2022 - Licence reissued 'til 2026
As I was able to drive under S.88, I didn't bother with the torture of trying to call DVLA - apart from once (which took me around 2 hours in total to be told that I shouldn't be chasing them for progress!!!) Pretty much took 1 month from the medical to the licence being issued, with Christmas in between - seems to be getting a bit better than it was previously (or was I just lucky???)
Those in a similar boat, just hang in there!
Had my letter through today, my CDT was 0.8%, same as last time.
Interesting though they seem to have changed the wording on the explanation letter, it now states;
Below 1.6%
A %CDT result below 1.6 is consistent with, but does not prove, abstinence
Between 1.6 and 2.2%
A %CDT result between 1.6 and 2.2 is consistent with, but does not prove, controlled drinking i.e drinking within Government recommended health guidelines of 14 units per week.
Between 2.3 and 2.9%
A %CDT result between 2.3 and 2.9 is consistent with regular amounts of alcohol consumption and can be an indication of increased risk or higher risk drinking.
3.0% and over
A %CDT result of 3 or more is consistent with regular amounts of alcohol consumption and can indicate alcohol dependence.
Having said all of that, as
@price1367 regularly mentions, those classed as alcohol dependent will generally be refused if their result is over 1.0%. It is also important to note as well that even though the wording above only mentions alcohol dependence on results over 3.0%, many people are classified as alcohol dependent on much lower levels than this as the CDT result is only 1 part of the criteria set down by DVLA. Other elements include any notes they have on you, your questionnaire responses, the medical Doctor's notes, your own GP notes, other agencies such as Police, Traffic commissioner etc. notes. Alcohol misuse is a bigger minefield, potentially 2 binge weekends in a 6 month period could see you classed as a 'regular' misuser.....