What and when ?

[Bobbingbuoy]

Afternoon all, I notified DVLA online a couple of weeks ago, as advised by my diabetes team. I’ve had a letter off DVLA today asking for me to send my license to them and that C1 entitlement will be taken off ? I have a new motorhome which is over the 3500kg so therefore requires C1 entitlement. The letter says to send my current license back to them within 14 days. I’ve looked at the D2/D4 forms to apply for my C1 entitlement and there are a few things I’m unsure about ?

They say send the forms “with” my current license ? If I send it now ( as today’s letter requested) I won’t have a license to send with the d2/d4 forms ?
It says you have to have 6 weeks of BG results to send ? I’ve only been diagnosed 2 weeks ago, the 6 weeks will take it past the DVLA deadline to send my license ?

All a bit confusing really ? Since being diagnosed my bloods haven’t been below 19.1 yet , but as much as 34 upwards.

I’m not sure my GP will have an appointment within 2 weeks as it’s usually around 2 months , can the diabetes specialist nurses do the forms instead ?

Today yet another kick in the teeth as I live and work for my motorhome trips, seems ridiculous I can no longer drive it without having tests etc etc

Any advice appreciated, thanks

 

[Inka]

I think you’re going to have to send your current licence to them, then sort the C1 forms afterwards when hopefully you’ll have your new licence back. You could also give the DVLA a call or drop them an email just to check.

 

[Robin]

Did you by any chance pass your driving test before 1st Jan 1997? If so, you have 'grandad rights' and don’t have to pass a C1 test. I can’t find a useful link, but if it applies to you, then it has come up on the forum before, so have a search.

 

[Drummer]

@Bobbingbuoy I can't help with the medical side, but I wonder - can you get the motorhome downplated?
I have a VW LT 46, long and tall, which would have needed C1 - which I had until I turned 70, then it evaporated.
It is a no frills conversion to camper van, no glossy plastic surfaces other than the table, but it has all that I need for up to a week away - or I could do more if I rejoined civilization for a few hours.

 

[Inka]

Did you by any chance pass your driving test before 1st Jan 1997? If so, you have 'grandad rights' and don’t have to pass a C1 test. I can’t find a useful link, but if it applies to you, then it has come up on the forum before, so have a search.

But isn’t that just for people not on glucose-lowering meds? I vaguely remember getting a letter about it.

 

[Bobbingbuoy]

Did you by any chance pass your driving test before 1st Jan 1997? If so, you have 'grandad rights' and don’t have to pass a C1 test. I can’t find a useful link, but if it applies to you, then it has come up on the forum before, so have a search.

Yes I did ( and do ) have C1 on my license now but it’s being taken off because I now have to have insulin, I have to have tests and fill out forms to apply for C1 because my motorhome is over 3500kg

 

[Robin]

But isn’t that just for people not on glucose-lowering meds? I vaguely remember getting a letter about it.

I’m not sure, I wouldn’t have thought so, as they don’t need to inform the DVLA in the first place.

 

[Bobbingbuoy]

@Bobbingbuoy I can't help with the medical side, but I wonder - can you get the motorhome downplated?
I have a VW LT 46, long and tall, which would have needed C1 - which I had until I turned 70, then it evaporated.
It is a no frills conversion to camper van, no glossy plastic surfaces other than the table, but it has all that I need for up to a week away - or I could do more if I rejoined civilization for a few hours.

Hi, unfortunately no because it’s a standard 5000kg one

 

[Lucyr]

All a bit confusing really ? Since being diagnosed my bloods haven’t been below 19.1 yet , but as much as 34 upwards.

You’ll need to get your medically restricted licence first and then apply for the c1 category afterwards. I think you need to have stabilised your bgs for a month before you can apply, as well as having any required fingerprick logs, so doesn’t sound like you’re ready to apply for c1 yet.

 

[Robin]

Yes I did ( and do ) have C1 on my license now but it’s being taken off because I now have to have insulin, I have to have tests and fill out forms to apply for C1 because my motorhome is over 3500kg

Ah, I think you still have to jump through hoops about testing etc, it’s the fact that you won’t have to pass a new C1 test that I was thinking about.

 

[Drummer]

Hi, unfortunately no because it’s a standard 5000kg one

What a pain.
I see a few surprised looks when I climb down from the cab, I don't quite need to abseil, as I am rather short. I have a little platform on the floor to raise my feet enough to reach the pedals, but I love driving along in the big fellow and the sound of the 2.5l diesel.

 

[Inka]

I’m not sure, I wouldn’t have thought so, as they don’t need to inform the DVLA in the first place.

I can’t remember exactly but it was something about new licences not having the automatic C1 category on them, so anyone getting a licence after that date would need to apply for C1 whereas people with pre-1997 licences wouldn’t and would have it left on automatically, but I think that was negated by having specific medical conditions like insulin-treated diabetes?

 

[trophywench]

Well I had my 'Grandma' C1 licence too - until the UK decided insulin users couldn't hold one, and phased us all out at our next renewal. Our Moho was spefically bought as 3500kgs since neither of us had a clue how well we'd be doing by the time we were 70, let alone my having insulin treated Type 1 diabetes. I'm not insured to drive it anyway - fine by me as No Way Pedro do I ever intend to, thanks. (Tried it once with our first one - hated it.) We could always flog it and go back to towing a caravan should we need to.

 

[Bobbingbuoy]

Well I had my 'Grandma' C1 licence too - until the UK decided insulin users couldn't hold one, and phased us all out at our next renewal. Our Moho was spefically bought as 3500kgs since neither of us had a clue how well we'd be doing by the time we were 70, let alone my having insulin treated Type 1 diabetes. I'm not insured to drive it anyway - fine by me as No Way Pedro do I ever intend to, thanks. (Tried it once with our first one - hated it.) We could always flog it and go back to towing a caravan should we need to.

We went from 3500kg motorhome to a 5000kg one a year ago, I got ill in February last year so haven’t even used it yet ! It’s the lowest mileage 1 year old motorhome ever !!