Drivers aged over 70 are being stripped of the right to drive larger vehicles. Upon renewing their licence at this age, they will automatically lose the C1 (medium-sized vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg) and D1 (minibuses) categories on their licence.
To retain these categories, they must complete a D2 Application Form and a D4 Medical Examination Report. The Older Drivers Forum stated: “Once you renew your licence at 70 years of age you will automatically lose the C category on your licence, if you wish to continue having this category on your licence you will need to do another test again.
“Drivers holding a category B+E licence before their licence expired at age 70 can continue to drive a vehicle weighing up to 3.5 tonnes with a trailer up to a maximum combination weight limit of 8.25 tonnes, once renewed.”
“As we get older, many of us take up voluntary work, like driving minibuses to help others get around. Your standard licence will not cover you to do this when you renew your licence at 70, unless you renew your minibus entitlement,” the Forum added.
For those who are 70 or over (or soon will be) and are renewing their driving licence, a D2 application form needs to be ordered or a D4 medical examination report downloaded – this must be filled in by a doctor, reports Birmingham Live.
You are permitted to drive while your licence is being renewed if you meet all the following criteria: you have your doctor’s approval to continue driving, you held a valid licence, you only drive under the conditions of the previous licence, your application is less than a year old, your last licence wasn’t revoked or refused for medical reasons, you’re not currently disqualified and you weren’t disqualified as a high risk offender on or after 1 June 2013.
If you only hold B entitlement, you will still need to pass a PCV medical if you wish to continue driving minibuses. Your new licence will display B(120), indicating that you have met the higher medical standard required for minibus driving.
However, the other restrictions associated with holding only B entitlement remain in place. Your licence must be renewed every three years, and each renewal requires a full medical examination using form D4.
