I'm on the road to a new life...

Get £100 Cash Back^*

Receive £100 cash back for every friend you recommend that books a full course with us

*Terms & Conditions Apply

Charlotte Haye 6th November 2019

3 Things You Need to Know About the HGV Medical Requirements

If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ll know by now that there are a lot of things involved in getting your HGV license – and then keeping it. Between sitting multiple exams and getting the required training hours under your belt, you will also need to undergo a medical examination. This exam shows that you are physically fit to drive an HGV and that if you have any risk factors, they are known and planned for. If you’re in reasonably good health then you should pass this exam with flying colours, but just in case, here are 3 things you should know about the medical exam process.

You Need A GP’s Examination

This isn’t a ‘fill in a form and medical history’ type of exam. In order to pass you will need to go in and see a GP for an intensive physical exam. This exam can be done by any NHS GP or approved private physician, so it’s up to you which route to take. The doctor will fill out the required paperwork as they go, and sign the final documents before they submit it directly to the DVLA. There are a lot of things covered in the exam, but the main points to note include:

Eyesight
General health
Heart and cardiovascular health
Mental health
Nervous system problems
Diabetes mellitus
Epilepsy
Sleep disorders

One thing the GP may focus on in particular is your vision. In order to pass the exam you will need to have adequate vision (either corrected or uncorrected) – with at least 6/9 in one eye and 6.12 in the other to pass. So you won’t be penalised for wearing glasses or lenses, as long as they are accurate for your vision. If you do need to wear glasses or lenses, you will need to wear them at all times when driving.

There Are Disqualifications

Of course, like any test in the world, it is possible you can fail. You can fail if you have any conditions that result in disqualification, which basically means the doctor believes there is a possible serious safety risk if you were to drive a heavy good vehicle. Possible reasons you may be disqualified include:

Mental disorders
Visual impairment
Risk of seizures/epilepsy
Heart disorders
Recent history of blackouts or unconscious episodes
Any history of drug or alcohol abuse

This list isn’t exhaustive, but these are often the main factors for disqualification. Just to be clear – none of these things on their own will automatically disqualify you from driving professionally. It’s up to the doctor you see to determine your ability to drive safely based on your medical history and current health.

It Costs

Finally, the medical exam to become an HGV driver isn’t free. The DVLA doesn’t mandate that NHS doctors provide the medical exam free of charge. This means that while some GP’s will happily do the exam for free, some will charge a nominal fee to cover their time since it isn’t a ‘traditional’ use of GP time. So before you set up your exam it’s worth checking what the protocol is with the practice before you make the appointment. If there is a cost involved, it might be worth you booking in with a private doctor, as they won’t have as long a waiting time as the NSH doctors.

Ultimately, the medical exam is there to make sure you and everyone else on the road will be safe with you behind the wheel. There is no automatic ban on being an HGV driver, even if you do suffer from one of the above conditions – it’s down to the professional judgement of your doctor. So if you are otherwise fit and healthy, it shouldn’t be a problem for you. If you are healthy enough to pass the medical, we would love you to consider training with us. If you would like to find out more, just get in touch today.

Charlotte Haye

Take the first step towards your dream HGV driving career. Contact Us

Call free 0800 970 8447

Get a Quote

Why choose Easy As HGV?

We're Local

Great Value

Speedy & Helpful

Trusted