Medical Driving License
Late June 2025 i completed the forms to renew my 1yr medical driving license which is something i've had to do every year for many years. As of today (1st Jan 2026) my new license still hasn't been processed. Its the same scenario year after year 5 months waiting for a new license, 6 months waiting, sometimes 7 or 8 months waiting and then when it finally arrives its almost time to renew all over again. Ok, i drive very infrequently maybe 100 miles per year) but its a comfort for me to know my car is there for emergencies etc.
DVLA are always very apologetic regarding the seemingly never ending delays sighting lack of staff, occasional industrial action, and a massive backlog of applications but these identical excuses i have heard from them for years.
For me DVLA is not fit for purpose and hasn't been fit for purpose for many years.
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Having access to a car is very important to me predominantly for peace of mind but i have now missed my 2yr Motability service schedule because without a valid driving license i cannot be given a courtesy car. I have also missed a safety recall from Ford to replace injectors (whatever they are) for my Kuga. And i have also missed having repairs done to my vehicle due to the same reason - i cannot be given a courtesy car because my driving license is out of date. The repairs required occurred at a car wash where they broke my rear view camera with a big brush (the camera now dangles downwards pointing at the ground).
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According to DVLA i can legally continue to drive whilst my license is in the renewal process however that means nothing to Motability insurance company Direct Line or Ford repair garages who both require a physical valid drivers license before allowing me a courtesy vehicle. Although i have no plans to go on holiday to Spain or France it would also mean a hire car would also be out of the question. Basically year after year i am excluded from courtesy cars or hire cars for well over 50% of every year.
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That sounds really frustrating, especially as you’re having to go through the same fiasco year after year, knowing there’s nothing you can do to expedite it.
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I don't know what DVLA are doing as they seem to be backlogged for all services. They can't still be blaming covid…
Reading this thread has reminded me I applied for a 50% road tax refund last year. It's now been 4 months since I applied and still no refund… I only hope they process those more quickly for people who do it the other way round, and send them 50% payment first instead of requesting a refund afterwards.
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At the end of my time as a productive member of society, I too had a 12 month short licence fofor LGV and PCV categories.
This caused alot of friction with my employer, as they wanted to check licences every 6 months, and mine seemed to spend most of the year with the DVLA. They wouldn't listen, and I was threatened with the sack if i didn't produce it. They thought I might have been banned or whatever I suppose.
Going to management, armed with a piece of paper from the DVLA, that cut no ice with them.
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I would be contacting MPs about delays to be honest. I get very cross when I see people demanding that disabled people work, while simultaneously introducing barriers at every stage - be it treatment delays or license renewal delays. It really is completely unacceptable.
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In my case, this was a long time ago. A disabled person is unlikely to be seeking employment as a coach or truck driver.
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Ah ok, gotcha Chris. Funny, I was wondering, I really wanted to get a commercial licence purely for driving a decent size motor home but I don't think I am allowed to any more with MS! 😕
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If you passed your Cat B test before 1997, you would normally be able to drive a 7.5 tonne vehicle, with a 750kg trailer.
I am now restricted to a 3.5 tonne vehicle, including trailer, with automatic transmission. All my LGV and PCV licences were revoked in 2009.
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Sadly I did my test after that date- annoys me often! I could have done it in 1994 but waited another 10 years! So I'm stuck with 3.5 tonne too.
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I have an acquaintance who drives trucks for work with MS. He does have to get medical checks and licence regularly, but it really depends on how severe your MS is as to whether you'd be allowed a HGV licence.
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Most 4 berth campers come in at under 3,500 KG. I imagine that is deliberate.
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The thing is, driving a truck isn't just sitting behind a wheel. I had no luck at all in securing employment after my licences were first revoked. No employer wanted a driver that causes them hassle with annual reapplications, plus how fit would they be to load and unload their trailer, uncoupling of trailer etc.
If I hadn't been in employment when I was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, there is no way I would have got the job in the first place.
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That is a good point but not all truck driving jobs require manual loading or trailer coupling. My acquaintance works in waste management and isn't required to do either of those things.
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Good luck to him, but those jobs will be as rare as hen's teeth.
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My sympathies with anyone who needs to contact DVLA as they are a complete and utter joke. I’ve been trying to contact the medical department for a few weeks now and a phone call produces a recording that says “waiting times are an hour (or hour and half) at the moment, please call back later” then they cut you off with no options to wait in a queue.
I tried an email and this got a reply that said I had to phone them, what a bunch of jokers.
I have now sent a good old fashioned letter and who knows I might get areply sometime in 2026 but I think not because…. I have to phone.
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