Hro medical (your experiences)

Convicted Driver Insurance
Ok so just popped back for an update. Bearing in mind I was tee tots for 5 mo the prior to my medical BUT had a three day bender over Christmas where I drank A LOT. Had my medical on the 27th January and 4 days ago my license came through the post with a letter a day later saying my score was 0.8 and they didn’t need to see my GP. Thank you all again for the advice over the last few months you’ve all been amazing.
Hi bracken79,could you maybe try put my mind at ease,I have my medical on the 23rd and are really worried about it,how was called and what type of questions where you asked for them not to contact your GP,that would be the best possible outcome,congrats on getting your licence back this is the worst feeling I've ever had an have been through alot
 
Ok so just popped back for an update. Bearing in mind I was tee tots for 5 mo the prior to my medical BUT had a three day bender over Christmas where I drank A LOT. Had my medical on the 27th January and 4 days ago my license came through the post with a letter a day later saying my score was 0.8 and they didn’t need to see my GP. Thank you all again for the advice over the last few months you’ve all been amazing.
Hi bracken

You mentioned DVLA didn't ask to contact your GP. Can I ask what you were a HRO for? Just trying to check most similar position to my own!
 
Hi bracken

You mentioned DVLA didn't ask to contact your GP. Can I ask what you were a HRO for? Just trying to check most similar position to my own!
I blew 101 so was HRO and they didn't contact my GP, at time of medical last September I'd done nearly 10 months dry tho
 
Hi just.spoke to dvla they said they have sent a questionaire to my docters and to me has this happened to much people ?
 
Hi just.spoke to dvla they said they have sent a questionaire to my docters and to me has this happened to much people ?

Happens to most that post on this forum. It used to be more sporadic, then it ramped up to almost everyone who was posting, then back to sporadic during covid.

It is a questionnaire going back 6 years, if you have no history of alcohol abuse or your GP has never told you to cut down drinking then it will be no problem. Time wise just, it will add anything from 3-6 weeks to your wait. Chase up the doctor to get the form returned quickly to speed things up.
 
Just had my medical today. Seemed pretty straight forward apart from answering Yes to Have you had mental health problems within the last 3 years? Ticked yes and had to out my doctors address on. The DVLA hadvealready contacted my doctor for notes etc so wondering of they will have to write to them again? I was on sertraline just over 2 years ago but have not been prescribed anything or seen a doctor about my depression and anxiety disorder... just about my alcoholism...Any info is appreciated?
 
Just had my medical today. Seemed pretty straight forward apart from answering Yes to Have you had mental health problems within the last 3 years? Ticked yes and had to out my doctors address on. The DVLA hadvealready contacted my doctor for notes etc so wondering of they will have to write to them again? I was on sertraline just over 2 years ago but have not been prescribed anything or seen a doctor about my depression and anxiety disorder... just about my alcoholism...Any info is appreciated?
Hi I said yes to alcohol dependency and mental health I got my license back Tuesday if you read my post it’s got a lot of detail in it you may find useful hope it helps x
 
Happens to most that post on this forum. It used to be more sporadic, then it ramped up to almost everyone who was posting, then back to sporadic during covid.

It is a questionnaire going back 6 years, if you have no history of alcohol abuse or your GP has never told you to cut down drinking then it will be no problem. Time wise just, it will add anything from 3-6 weeks to your wait. Chase up the doctor to get the form returned quickly to speed things up.
I do have a history unfortunately in 2015 and 2019,as I said before I didnt realise how hard it was to get your licence back as a HRO until comming on this forum,I will just do the medical on tuesday and see what the next step is after that,with a bit of luck I'm wishing I just get issued with even a temporary licence,but not holding out much hope,will come back and update after medical
 
I do have a history unfortunately in 2015 and 2019,as I said before I didnt realise how hard it was to get your licence back as a HRO until comming on this forum,I will just do the medical on tuesday and see what the next step is after that,with a bit of luck I'm wishing I just get issued with even a temporary licence,but not holding out much hope,will come back and update after medical
Hi,that's me just had my medical,was honest with everything ,he said there was no issues with him but I will probly be brought back for a urine test because of the drug misuse within last 3 years,said not guaranteed but more than likely.Im glad it's out the way,thanks for all the advice from people will keep this post upto date when I have next had contact from the DVLA
 
All,

I haven't posted on this site before but I have searched through it frequently over the past 6 months whilst I have been banned (especially in the early hours of the morning when I couldn't sleep). I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for sharing there experiences and whilst I haven't been active on the site, I thought I would return the favour to others and share my experience.

It's a life changing event for anyone, lucky my misdemeanour didn't result in anyone being hurt but had I known how much losing my driving license would cost me and not just the financial penalties (selling car, increase insurance premium, solicitor costs, medical costs, application costs, fine etc), but the real things that matter commuting to work, being able to take my family places, nursery runs, having to explain to people why I couldn't drive. I would certainly have thought twice before I made that mistake nearly 3 years ago. I won't go into the details behind my story as I don't think that matters, what I will share is my journey to getting my license back. Originally I was banned for 29 months and fined £800. The judge offered the opportunity to reduce my ban by 4 months following completion of the DDR course. Although the reduction was small, my advise to anyone that gets the opportunity to attend this course, please do. After trying to ignore the fact I had to do the course I applied and completed it. I found it informative and eye opening, infact this was where I first heard about the medical requirement for HROs, up to this point I assumed that on completion of my ban I would get my license back.

Initially I was pleased that my ban had been reduced and started to think about having my license back. As advised on the course, I reapplied for my license in Feb 20(3 months before my ban was up). Then Covid-19 hit and my application was held up, I received a letter in April informing me that no DVLA medicals were being undertaken for the next 12 weeks. Post this I didn't hear anything, so once the 12 weeks had passed I called the DVLA and was informed that no doctors in my area were doing DVLA medicals. I then called back a week later to check and the advisor informed me the closest doctor was over 100 miles away. I took that opportunity, a week later my letter arrived, I called the medical practice and took the first available appointment which was 25 days from the day I called. I then abstained from drink apart from one beer when I was out for food, I also had a few non alcoholic beers over the next few weekends when socialising with family. Prior to getting the letter I wouldn't say I was a regular drinker but would enjoy a few pints every weekend.

On the day of my medical the one question that really put the fear into me was the 'how often do you drink 6 units or more units in one sitting?'. My initial response was never, however as I had earlier said to the doctor I would have 2/3 pints the doctor said well 3 pints is 6 units. I then responded by saying that I felt the question was loaded and that as it didn't gauge what the maximum unit count was. I felt that by admitting to this I was being unfairly penalised as a binge drinker even though the NHS recommend a maximum of 8 units for a man. The doctor replied saying it wasn't his job to query the questions but to report what my answers were. Initially the doctor suggested 50 x in a year, then 25, I was flabbergasted at this and then eventually agreed on 10 times. I felt immediately deflated, actually felt like I was being tarred as an alcoholic. I left the medical downbeat, assuming I would be classed as an alcohol abuser and be told I wouldn't get my license back. I looked through the forum for solace and comfort but didn't see any other comments on this. As the weeks went by waiting for my medical results I resorted to calling the DVLA daily and getting nowhere, eventually I stumbled upon some people having success emailing Tim Burton. So I thought I would try it, I sent email last night outling how long my delays had been and that my results and medical report had been with the DVLA now between 14 and 21 days. I'm pleased to say that this morning I got the call I had been hoping for from the DVLA, that my license was now reinstated.

My day then got even better as I had put a deposit down on a new car in advance of getting my license back and got confirmation that it has arrived in the UK today too. So hopefully I'll be back driving by this weekend and will finally be able to repay my partner and parents for all the support they have given me over the last 29 months.

I have recently seen a few other comments over this question in particular and found information on this difficult to coem by, hence why I felt I needed to share my experience.
This question is my worry too, about the how many times a year do you drink more than 6 units. 6 units isn't alot. 2 glasses of wine. Nobody seems to mention this question so thank you
 
This question is my worry too, about the how many times a year do you drink more than 6 units. 6 units isn't alot. 2 glasses of wine. Nobody seems to mention this question so thank you
I think you will find that this matter of 6 units in a day is frequently quoted in answers on here in discussion about the DVLA medical.
The DVLA questionnaire has also been shared a number of times, so that question is clearly there for people to see.
In fact Bigtom quoted to you on your post in his answer number 7, only 2 days ago: "The questionnaire asks on how many occasions in the last year have you drank over 6 units"......
and in answer 20 tp you I said: "Have you read the medical questionnaire that DVLA get you to fill out and about the enquiries they may well make with your GP? If not, the DR1 will make useful reading for you: https://assets.publishing.service.g...1-online-confidential-medical-information.pdf"
 
Last edited:
I'm hoping this thread can become a sticky and be the one stop place to compare peoples experiences. It can be difficult as it seems (quite understandably) that people don't come back on here once they have got their licences back but I would appreciate anyone who does to please fill in the following below and post:

1) Date you applied for new licence:
2) Date when you got the letter to book medical:
3) Date when you sent letter back to book medical:
4) Date of Medical:
5) Date of Results and Outcome:


Also Please state:

1) Period of abstinence prior to actual medical Date:
2) Drinking habits prior to abstinence period:
Hey people, thought id give you my experience as this forum helped me alot.
1) May 5th 2021
2) May 28th 2021
3) called them up, you also need to call dvla to confirm that you have booked the medical. Number is on the letter they sent out to you.
4) June 5th 2021
5) June 25th 2021 and got my 10year license back

1) 9 weeks I completely stopped, drank alot of water, fasting helped alot.
2) I got done in Jan 2018 and then again on Feb 2018 so I got a 3 year ban, £1400 fine and 140 hours of community service. At the time I was drinking alot, a litre bottle of vodka shared between another person. But I wasn't an alcoholic, I used to like the buzz and that was it, I used to smoke weed before I got introduced to the alcohol and finally realised I enjoy alcohol more than weed. But this year I've completely cut down on alcohol. I had in total two half bottle vodka this year and I feel much better without it to be honest. Both times when I got stopped it was for a random weapon search so nothing to do with alcohol but they smelt the alcohol in the car and my breath. I did the course which reduced 9 months off my ban, I was supposed to be driving from 14th June but I got my license back on the 25th. Dvla are not in a hurry to issue license so I'd say keep calm and let them do their thing.
 
1) Date you applied for new licence: 19th April
2) Date when you got the letter to book medical:
A DVLA Doctor rang me 2 weeks after I applied to re-new and asked me to come in the same day but I couldn't so we arranged for me to go in 12th May for May. I received letter from DVLA after id already booked my medical through Doctor.
3) Date when you sent letter back to book medical: N/A
4) Date of Medical: 12th May
5) Date of Results and Outcome: 2nd JULY I called up DVLA and they said I can drive from midnight tonight and my licence should be dropping thru the post in 3-5days.

Prior to my medical I was drinking easily a bottle of wine every night during lockdown. I came on here for advice and was basically told I had a problem and don't deserve to get my licence back 🤣
As i didnt have long to abstain before the doc booked me in i did exactly 2 weeks abstinence and again came on here and was told absolutely no chance i would get my license back.
yet here we are... 😉!! i wanted to post as there is ALOT of scaremongering going on in this forum and unhelpful comments.
I made a mistake and I've paid the price end of.
Good luck to anyone else waiting for theirs back.
Also I dont know if it helped but worth mentioning that in my 2 weeks of abstinence I drank s*it loads of water and took milk thistle, vit c and zinc. I also had a huge blow out for my fellas 40th 2 weeks before my medical.
 
1) Date you applied for new licence: 19th April
2) Date when you got the letter to book medical:
A DVLA Doctor rang me 2 weeks after I applied to re-new and asked me to come in the same day but I couldn't so we arranged for me to go in 12th May for May. I received letter from DVLA after id already booked my medical through Doctor.
3) Date when you sent letter back to book medical: N/A
4) Date of Medical: 12th May
5) Date of Results and Outcome: 2nd JULY I called up DVLA and they said I can drive from midnight tonight and my licence should be dropping thru the post in 3-5days.

Prior to my medical I was drinking easily a bottle of wine every night during lockdown. I came on here for advice and was basically told I had a problem and don't deserve to get my licence back 🤣
As i didnt have long to abstain before the doc booked me in i did exactly 2 weeks abstinence and again came on here and was told absolutely no chance i would get my license back.
yet here we are... 😉!! i wanted to post as there is ALOT of scaremongering going on in this forum and unhelpful comments.
I made a mistake and I've paid the price end of.
Good luck to anyone else waiting for theirs back.
Also I dont know if it helped but worth mentioning that in my 2 weeks of abstinence I drank s*it loads of water and took milk thistle, vit c and zinc. I also had a huge blow out for my fellas 40th 2 weeks before my medical.
Hi
Congrats on getting your licence back . When you went for your medical can i ask how you answered the Qs about last time you drank etc etc ?
 
Hi
Congrats on getting your licence back . When you went for your medical can i ask how you answered the Qs about last time you drank etc etc ?
Thanks jimbo.

I'm ready to be slaughtered for my answer here but.....

When asked how many units I drink in one occasion I said around 6.

When asked how many times in a year do I consume 6 or more units i replied 30-40.
This is what confused me...

The doctor actually filled in my form for me, he asked me the questions.

When I told him the 30-40 unit thing, he actually wrote down 6!!

So in one year I'd had only consumed 6units 6 times which isn't right at all but do you question a doctor?!?!! I didn't.

All the other questions were an easy no,

(E.g are your family worried about your drinking NO.
Have you ever caused an accident drinking NO.)
 
Thanks jimbo.

I'm ready to be slaughtered for my answer here but.....

When asked how many units I drink in one occasion I said around 6.

When asked how many times in a year do I consume 6 or more units i replied 30-40.
This is what confused me...

The doctor actually filled in my form for me, he asked me the questions.

When I told him the 30-40 unit thing, he actually wrote down 6!!

So in one year I'd had only consumed 6units 6 times which isn't right at all but do you question a doctor?!?!! I didn't.

All the other questions were an easy no,

(E.g are your family worried about your drinking NO.
Have you ever caused an accident drinking NO.)
Oh and when asked last time I drank, I told him correct, 2 weeks ago for my partners birthday and I drank around 12 units.
 
Oh and when asked last time I drank, I told him correct, 2 weeks ago for my partners birthday and I drank around 12 units.
Thats quite brazen but fair play to you , My medical is on the 20th July and ive not had a drink since mid May so hoping things will go well .. well done again
 
Enter code DRINKDRIVING10 during checkout for 10% off
Top