DVLA Medical - Timescale

Convicted Driver Insurance
The issue with just one GP doing the medical forms is being addressed soon. There is a move afoot to allow a nurse to complete the forms which should speed things up a lot, not that it helps you at the moment!
Is there any official word on that yet Price?
I know that DVLA is pushing for it but it would require a change in the law to do so.
Wouldn't this change require white, green paper first?
I think in principle it sounds good and would quicken up the process though my concern is that it would turn into a can of worms similar to the nurses at benefits panels who can go against the opinions of much more qualified and experienced doctors or consultants.
I suppose a benefit could be that the nurse could be someone who knows you, but so can your GP.
My main concern is the one I stated though where nurses are potentially and effectively overriding the opinion of specialists who are far more qualified and experienced.
 
Last edited:
I waited on hold exactly 45 minutes to the second last night Luna.
The number is also posted all over that Facebook site so it's well used by others so I reckon that's why there are delays nowadays.
The main thing is that you are in the queue with this one and not repeatedly calling, thinking you are getting through and then THEY tell you no one is available then you go through the whole rigmarole again.
My gp had mines 10 weeks also.
Hang in there😍
I've just given up after an hour. I actually started trying to pick out the melody of the tune on my guitar. Bored you will be.
 
I've just given up after an hour. I actually started trying to pick out the melody of the tune on my guitar. Bored you will be.
Ha ha, at least it's not the tune from the usual medical line.
It's tea time also Luna so people home from work etc... maybe try later after 6 or tomorrow earlier on?
As I said I think its because the number is all over that Facebook page and has been for months.
I tried it on 2nd December and got through within 2 minutes.
Good luck.
Just make sure you are able to put the guitar down quickly 🎸
 
Is there any official word on that yet Price?
I know that DVLA is pushing for it but it would require a change in the law to do so.
Wouldn't this change require white, green paper first?
I think in principle it sounds good and would quicken up the process though my concern is that it would turn into a can of worms similar to the nurses at benefits panels who can go against the opinions of much more qualified and experienced doctors or consultants.
The problem is it won't help me and many people like me stuck in this Catch 22 situation.

You build yourself up for the end of your ban and months later are still waiting on people to complete what is almost a tick sheet form. Then when it gets back to the DVLA, God knows how long they will take to review it.

Does not do your mental health any good.
 
Is there any official word on that yet Price?
I know that DVLA is pushing for it but it would require a change in the law to do so.
Wouldn't this change require white, green paper first?
I think in principle it sounds good and would quicken up the process though my concern is that it would turn into a can of worms similar to the nurses at benefits panels who can go against the opinions of much more qualified and experienced doctors or consultants.
For a small change for this, I think to would be done by what is called a ‘Statutory Instrument” which can be signed off by the relevant minister. It is not a big change, it would just day “In section xx of law YY, it says medical form must be completed by relevant doctor, now substitute ‘doctor’ with the words: “nurse of other suitably qualified person”……..’
Job done.
 
The problem is it won't help me and many people like me stuck in this Catch 22 situation.

You build yourself up for the end of your ban and months later are still waiting on people to complete what is almost a tick sheet form. Then when it gets back to the DVLA, God knows how long they will take to review it.

Does not do your mental health any good.
Yeah I know Luna, I'm 10.5 months into this application. My previous one was exactly a year due to dvla mistake and that process should have only been simple 3 month progress.
I've been on annual licence now for 5 years.
 
For a small change for this, I think to would be done by what is called a ‘Statutory Instrument” which can be signed off by the relevant minister. It is not a big change, it would just day “In section xx of law YY, it says medical form must be completed by relevant doctor, now substitute ‘doctor’ with the words: “nurse of other suitably qualified person”……..’
Job done.
Thanks Price, that's great. Hopefully that will be the case. I thought in principle it seemed like a simple amendment though what I had in mind was also the dvla web page where it said that it would require a change in the law to do it so my mind went to the white paper etc.
Thanks for clearing that one up!!
 
For a small change for this, I think to would be done by what is called a ‘Statutory Instrument” which can be signed off by the relevant minister. It is not a big change, it would just day “In section xx of law YY, it says medical form must be completed by relevant doctor, now substitute ‘doctor’ with the words: “nurse of other suitably qualified person”……..’
Job done.
Why is then that GP's (well mine anyway,) do not see this as a core part of their duties and get around to completing these forms 'when they have the time.'

I mean 8 weeks in my case is a nonsense for a 6 page form.
 
Why is then that GP's (well mine anyway,) do not see this as a core part of their duties and get around to completing these forms 'when they have the time.'

I mean 8 weeks in my case is a nonsense for a 6 page form.
I think they may be following what has been agreed with their Union and the government. Some won't do it as they may not directly receive the fee that dvla give for this service.
Mines did it 2 years ago but refused this year (reception staff saying it was because he was not getting paid and not my allocated gp although he is the only one I see).
He did say 2 years ago that it took a long time to go through my records in order to answer the questionnaire.
 
As NileR says, it isn’t just filling in a form, there is the research into your medical records to answer the questions accurately.
A GP’s core work is NHS stuff, answering questions for DVLA is not NHS work, it is private work, and poorly paid compared to other private work that GP’s may do (and DO prioritise…..!!!!)
 
As NileR says, it isn’t just filling in a form, there is the research into your medical records to answer the questions accurately.
A GP’s core work is NHS stuff, answering questions for DVLA is not NHS work, it is private work, and poorly paid compared to other private work that GP’s may do (and DO prioritise…..!!!!)
Yes, it is licence to practice that is on the line if he doesn't answer accurately.
 
As NileR says, it isn’t just filling in a form, there is the research into your medical records to answer the questions accurately.
A GP’s core work is NHS stuff, answering questions for DVLA is not NHS work, it is private work, and poorly paid compared to other private work that GP’s may do (and DO prioritise…..!!!!)
So why then do the DVLA and the Government insist on getting an additional report from your GP, when they already have one from their approved Doctor if it is not part of the GP's normal duties? You would have thought this would have been ironed out with the BMA years ago. Plus I cannot understand why the GP that completes the form would not get paid for doing so. If the fee is low, then surely this should be recognised by the Government.

I am not saying they should not answer accurately and I appreciate it does take time to review notes, but everything in my GP's at least is on computer. Perhaps giving the DVLA Doctor access to these records would speed things up.

You can tell how frustrated I am as today was the fourth time in 2 weeks I have called regarding the report, and I keep being fobbed off with the same story that the Doctor is busy, there are hundreds of them to do and they are only done when they get the time. I obviously don't want to push too hard and I am really nice and 'understanding' when I speak with them, but this is really beginning to have an effect on my mental health as the frustration at being totally powerless to move things along is starting to get to me 3 months after my ban ended.

I would also love the DVLA to explain why, with a CDT reading of 0.30% and nothing adverse from the medical (I saw the report,) they have written to my GP in the first place? But of course, despite the fact that it affects you directly, no one at the DVLA will ever deign to explain their decision.
 
As I said, giving details on a form for a person asking for their licence back is not NHS work.
That is why they can claim for it.
The DVLA Doctor is only paid for a quick examination and asking a blood sample. He / she would want a lot of money to contact to a GP to get access to someone’s medical file and then review years worth of medical notes. Some GP files are still not computerised.
There is a big delay in getting to see a DVLA doctor, if they were tied up for hours doing a check of the medical notes, appointments would become very scarce and the fees would go up considerably (remember all the charges for the CDT test and the medical examination is paid for by you (about £96, would you be happy with this doubling or more?)
The GP is currently paid out of the £90 fee that DVLA charge to get your licence back. If the GP was paid a reasonable rate for filling in the form then that fee would go up as well.

I think the current delays will settle down. Covid is receding, Labs will not be so busy doing PCR tests, Doctors will not be helping out with Covid boosters and things will be done quicker. I know that is no consolation for people waiting now though……
There is no obvious rationale as to why DVLA write to GP’s or not. It may be about a high reading or concerns 2 convictions i 10 years making them want to look at the persons medical history. It will NEVER be the case that the DVLA doctor will be allowed to interrogate the drivers medical notes, so the only way that this can be achieved is by writing to the GP to request it, and paying for the service.
 
As I said, giving details on a form for a person asking for their licence back is not NHS work.
That is why they can claim for it.
The DVLA Doctor is only paid for a quick examination and asking a blood sample. He / she would want a lot of money to contact to a GP to get access to someone’s medical file and then review years worth of medical notes. Some GP files are still not computerised.
There is a big delay in getting to see a DVLA doctor, if they were tied up for hours doing a check of the medical notes, appointments would become very scarce and the fees would go up considerably (remember all the charges for the CDT test and the medical examination is paid for by you (about £96, would you be happy with this doubling or more?)
The GP is currently paid out of the £90 fee that DVLA charge to get your licence back. If the GP was paid a reasonable rate for filling in the form then that fee would go up as well.

I think the current delays will settle down. Covid is receding, Labs will not be so busy doing PCR tests, Doctors will not be helping out with Covid boosters and things will be done quicker. I know that is no consolation for people waiting now though……
There is no obvious rationale as to why DVLA write to GP’s or not. It may be about a high reading or concerns 2 convictions i 10 years making them want to look at the persons medical history. It will NEVER be the case that the DVLA doctor will be allowed to interrogate the drivers medical notes, so the only way that this can be achieved is by writing to the GP to request it, and paying for the service.
If DVLA do send a request to the GP is there anyway to pay the gp to get the form sent back faster XD ?
 
If DVLA do send a request to the GP is there anyway to pay the gp to get the form sent back faster XD ?
You would have to ask the surgery that question.
I have seen on reported on here where someone paid the bill because the GP would not release the report until DVLA paid, and DVLA would not pay until they received the report and an invoice!
 
Is there the questionnaire form available on-line that they send to your gp? If so could you not download load it and take it to your gp personally, get it filled in and sent back the same day?
 
The problem with that is until DVLA have requested the form to be completed, there is no arrangement for it to be paid for…. DVLA make the formal request, doctor complies and sends invoice, DVLA pay.
Doing it ourself would not get payment for the GP so they would not do it as it is not a park of their NHS functions.
 
The problem with that is until DVLA have requested the form to be completed, there is no arrangement for it to be paid for…. DVLA make the formal request, doctor complies and sends invoice, DVLA pay.
Doing it ourself would not get payment for the GP so they would not do it as it is not a park of their NHS functions.
When that form goes back because it is again a paper form will probably take 10 weeks for them to even look at it like the paper applications right.
 
When that form goes back because it is again a paper form will probably take 10 weeks for them to even look at it like the paper applications right.
Quite possibly…….. but if the doctor sends it via a secure link that is for the medical profession it will be received straight away, but how long it takes to be looked at is another matter.
 
Enter code DRINKDRIVING10 during checkout for 10% off
Top