If you want to work as a heavy goods vehicle driver in the UK, then you are legally required to attend and pass the medical for HGV drivers before you can get behind the wheel. This medical verifies that you are physically fit to operate a HGV and that your health will not impact your driving abilities, so here is our guide to help you prepare for your HGV medical exam and give you the best chance of passing.
Choose the right practitioner
All tests involved in this medical examination must be performed by an approved medical examiner, who will also be responsible for filling in the relevant paperwork during the appointment. To avoid any delays, and to make sure that the appointment is conducted by a specialist, you may choose to have the examination conducted by a private doctor who specialises in this medical.
In either case, it is important to book your medical well in advance of the renewal date to give you plenty of time to prepare. If you are under the age of 45, then you don’t need to worry, as you only need to have this test done once when you first receive your HGV licence, but if you are over 45 then you will need to renew your licence (and take a new medical test) every five years, and then every year from the age of 65.
Bring the right documentation
Most medical examinations require you to bring a copy of your medical history and any prescription details with you to the appointment, and it is your responsibility to gather these documents. However, for this particular medical, you are also required to bring a printed version of the official D4 medical form.
You can find this form on the DVLA website and the medical centre that you book with will most likely have a PDF version that you can download. The D4 will be filled in during the appointment and then sent to the DVLA on your behalf, but forgetting to bring it will cause knock-on delays in getting your licence – even if you ace the rest of the medical.
To save time on the day and prevent any panic, make sure that you have everything you need well in advance, including:
- A printout of the D4 medical form with you
- A printed version of your medical history
- A valid form of photo ID
- The glasses that you wear whilst driving (not your contact lenses) and details of your latest prescription
- Prescription details of any medication you are taking
Monitor your health
The medical for HGV drivers is a straightforward, non-intrusive examination that should take no more than half an hour to complete. However, despite not taking very long, it does include a full check of your main health indicators, including your blood pressure, your eyesight, and your vitals.
So, even if you have no pre-existing conditions, give yourself the best chance of passing this examination by prioritising your health in the weeks leading up to the examination.
This includes the following:
Check your eyesight: The examination will assess your total field of vision and the visual acuity requirements are stricter for HGV drivers than for car drivers. These requirements are 6/7.5 in your best eye and at least 6/60 in your other eye, so check that you can read car number plates from 20m away and book an appointment with an optician if you have any concerns about your eyesight.
Monitor your blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure that is consistently registering above 180/100mm Hg, then you should take steps to manage stress, avoid pressure spikes, and obtain the right medication to reduce your risk of developing more serious heart issues.
Prioritise sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health and driving abilities, so make sure you maintain a consistent sleep schedule in the run up to the examination to stabilise your blood pressure and give yourself the best chance of performing well during the eye test.
Moderate substance use: Regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol or other substances for recreational use will impact your overall health and your chances of passing this medical, so moderate your use of substances and disclose them during your appointment if you feel that they are becoming a cause for concern.
Manage diabetes (if applicable): Manage your blood sugar levels to avoid any unstable readings on the day and bear in mind that whilst having diabetes does not automatically prevent you from passing this medical, you must be able to prove that your condition is being well-managed.
Identify any causes for concern
None of us like to think about issues that might get in the way of successfully passing this medical, but the medical for HGV drivers exists to maintain high standards of health and safety for all road users.
To do this, it checks that you either:
- have no underlying conditions that could impair your ability to drive
- or are managing these conditions with the appropriate medication.
Most conditions will result in you being certified as fit to drive, provided that you make your doctor aware of these conditions and follow your prescribed treatment plan. So, if you have recently experienced any serious changes in your health that could potentially impact your driving (including any dizzy spells or sleep disorders) then you will need to arrange to see a medical professional before your appointment to diagnose you.
You will then need to bring any new medication with you to the appointment as confirmation that your condition is being managed, and be prepared to discuss your treatment plan with the practitioner.
Book your HGV D4 medical renewal appointment
There is only one thing left to do to ensure that you pass the medical for HGV drivers, and that is to book your appointment with Heathrow Medical.
This specialist medical centre offers both renewal and initial medical examinations for HGV, LGV and PSV drivers, so click here to find out more.
