jampot Posted May 17 Having passed the driving test in the dark ages my licence includes C1, C1E, D1 and D1E categories. Renewal at age 70 which includes these requires submission of a doctors certificate and can only be done by post. In the context of caravanning would anyone recommend maintaining the right to drive these categories of 'medium' commercial and passenger vehicles? I can't recall having used the facility in many a year and presently tow a Buccaneer with a Mercedes ML total gross around 4500Kgs. so not required currently. Any constructive (or humorous!) input wlecome. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
standrewac Posted May 17 Unless you drive an articulated LGV or a PCV with trailer - you don't need the. Only a B+E for a 'van! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iansoady Posted May 17 I thought about it when I needed to renew earlier this year and like you have not needed the facility for many years and can't think why I would in the future - unless we go to the dark side and buy an American RV! But this does raise a question - what about hiring such a vehicle in the USA, which we've done several times in the past? Would you need Group C1 in that case? Although driving licences in that country do seem a bit "relaxed". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CommanderDave Posted May 17 I have always thought strange how at 70 and only having a B+E retained and I am limited to a 3500 kg vehicle but allowed to still drive a possible upto 7000 kg combined outfit ? Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TedNewman Posted May 17 (edited) I am now 81 and have not bothered with the doctors certificate for some years and have found that my B+E is more than enough for me and I tow an Airstream with a Disco 4 !! Mind you at 73 I wanted to renew the ''lot'' but failed my medical on urine test and was advised to see my GP - he sent me to Guys & St Thomas Urology department for tests and it turned out to be prostate cancer BUT still in its early stages so was able to treat it and was passed fit with no cancer 3 years later, and am still clear in that department so had its benefits Edited May 17 by TedNewman 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jampot Posted May 18 Thanks Chaps. I would like to re-visit the USA at some point but am unlikely to rent a humungous RV:-) I won't trouble the quack for a ticket but will apply on line. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iansoady Posted May 18 It's the only sort they have..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Grouse Posted May 18 41 minutes ago, jampot said: Thanks Chaps. I would like to re-visit the USA at some point but am unlikely to rent a humungous RV:-) I won't trouble the quack for a ticket but will apply on line. Jim If you don't renew your C1E, etc at age 70 you don't lose the right to have them put back later by taking the medical. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beejay Posted May 18 On 17/05/2019 at 09:32, jampot said: Having passed the driving test in the dark ages my licence includes C1, C1E, D1 and D1E categories. Renewal at age 70 which includes these requires submission of a doctors certificate and can only be done by post. In the context of caravanning would anyone recommend maintaining the right to drive these categories of 'medium' commercial and passenger vehicles? I can't recall having used the facility in many a year and presently tow a Buccaneer with a Mercedes ML total gross around 4500Kgs. so not required currently. Any constructive (or humorous!) input wlecome. Jim You can renew them up to 10 years after they expire if you pass the medical requirement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Millstone Posted May 20 Don’t pay your GP a fortune - just google “ HGV Medical in xxx area” the average charge is about £50, usually carried out at a time to suit you - and sometimes a place too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Punto338 Posted May 20 On 17/05/2019 at 10:11, TedNewman said: I am now 81 and have not bothered with the doctors certificate for some years and have found that my B+E is more than enough for me and I tow an Airstream with a Disco 4 !! Mind you at 73 I wanted to renew the ''lot'' but failed my medical on urine test and was advised to see my GP - he sent me to Guys & St Thomas Urology department for tests and it turned out to be prostate cancer BUT still in its early stages so was able to treat it and was passed fit with no cancer 3 years later, and am still clear in that department so had its benefits Ted, Out of curiosity, were you on the A303 late this afternoon? If so, I overtook you at some stage (I was minus the caravan). Awesome outfit. If not wasn't you - sorry to butt in. Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WispMan Posted May 21 The main loss is the right to drive a minibus, for me that is a Community Minibus run by the County Council. We (Men In Sheds) have trips out so can only use a driver under 70 as non of us kept that right to drive via a medical. We can draw on volunteer drivers but I can't see much reason to keep the C1 entitlement after 70. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TedNewman Posted May 21 On 21/05/2019 at 00:13, Punto338 said: Ted, Out of curiosity, were you on the A303 late this afternoon? If so, I overtook you at some stage (I was minus the caravan). Awesome outfit. If not wasn't you - sorry to butt in. Bob Not me Bob but the Airstream is now becoming quite popular since Swift took over the marketing in the UK -- but still very expensive Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mentaliss Posted May 21 no sure if already been mentioned... if you have a defibrillator fitted in your chest you cant drive any motor vehicle weather it be a Motorhome or Caravan/ car/ SU, Fifth Wheeler with a gross weight Oh! sorry Mass weight of more than 3.5 kg/tons Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Grouse Posted May 21 49 minutes ago, mentaliss said: no sure if already been mentioned... if you have a defibrillator fitted in your chest you cant drive any motor vehicle weather it be a Motorhome or Caravan/ car/ SU, Fifth Wheeler with a gross weight Oh! sorry Mass weight of more than 3.5 kg/tons You can't drive at all for a month after the Defibrillator is fitted - and if it activates you lose your licence for at least 6 months and have to reapply to DVLA to get it back. Had mine fitted 3rd May so looking forward to 3rd June to restart driving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lost in France Posted May 22 With my French driving license for anything over B1 I have to have a medical every 2 years because I'm between 60 and 70, before 60 it's every 5 years and after 70 every year, thankfully it only costs 32€ When mine was renewed last year, it came back missing the B+E category, when I questioned it I was told that the C1E category covered towing a caravan. I'm not sure if le Flick would be convinced if I ever got pulled towing the caravan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marchie1053 Posted May 22 14 hours ago, Black Grouse said: You can't drive at all for a month after the Defibrillator is fitted - and if it activates you lose your licence for at leaist 6 months and have to reapply to DVLA to get it back. Had mine fitted 3rd May so looking forward to 3rd June to restart driving. Good luck! I was told by the Consultant to stop driving for 1 month after coronary problems last July; longest month of my life ... Straight after discharge by the Consultant, I drove from East Scotland to Norfolk and back in 48 hours, to buy our Gobur Folding Caravan, over 800 glorious miles! On the Monday morning, the hospital phoned, asking me to visit another Consultant; when I said that I had been discharged, I was told that I had been 'signed off' by the Cardio Consultant, but I still needed clearance by the Vascular Consultant! The Cardio Consultant never mentioned this and told me I was OK to resume driving! Good job there was no problem ... Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Grouse Posted May 22 10 minutes ago, marchie1053 said: Good luck! I was told by the Consultant to stop driving for 1 month after coronary problems last July; longest month of my life ... Straight after discharge by the Consultant, I drove from East Scotland to Norfolk and back in 48 hours, to buy our Gobur Folding Caravan, over 800 glorious miles! On the Monday morning, the hospital phoned, asking me to visit another Consultant; when I said that I had been discharged, I was told that I had been 'signed off' by the Cardio Consultant, but I still needed clearance by the Vascular Consultant! The Cardio Consultant never mentioned this and told me I was OK to resume driving! Good job there was no problem ... Steve This month is passing quite quickly as I know the end date - partly as I had to endure an indeterminate suspension last year with no idea of the end until DVLA returned my licence after 10 months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thebriars Posted May 22 On 18/05/2019 at 08:56, jampot said: Thanks Chaps. I would like to re-visit the USA at some point but am unlikely to rent a humungous RV:-) I won't trouble the quack for a ticket but will apply on line. Jim You will be lucky to find any RV under 3.5tonnes. Even the Fiat panel van conversion we hired a couple of years ago in the US had a generator slung under the back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Punto338 Posted May 23 On 21/05/2019 at 10:05, TedNewman said: Not me Bob but the Airstream is now becoming quite popular since Swift took over the marketing in the UK -- but still very expensive 19 hours ago, thebriars said: You will be lucky to find any RV under 3.5tonnes. Even the Fiat panel van conversion we hired a couple of years ago in the US had a generator slung under the back. Sorry to intrude but still an awesome outfit! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TedNewman Posted May 23 9 hours ago, Punto338 said: Sorry to intrude but still an awesome outfit! OK but we only have the 2 berth 532 (no longer made) but same size as the 534 or Missouri as Swift call it! This was taken in Morocco in 2010 when we had a KIA Sorento as tug now have the Discovery 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jampot Posted May 23 (edited) Completed the on line form Sunday evening and the postie brought the new licence this morning! It has a Union Flag on it as well as the blue EU flag. Don't think the old one did:-) Jim Edited May 23 by jampot Missed a word out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlanS Posted May 23 5 hours ago, jampot said: Completed the on line form Sunday evening and the postie brought the new licence this morning! It has a Union Flag on it as well as the blue EU flag. Don't think the old one did:-) Jim You are correct - the old one only had the EU symbol on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeeTee Posted May 24 9 hours ago, AlanS said: You are correct - the old one only had the EU symbol on it. My new passport, applied for online and delivered within 10 days, is maroon and does not carry the EU symbol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
