New and existing lorry and bus drivers (new entrants who pass their HGV or PCV driving test after 19th January 2013) will be required to sign a declaration (every 5 years) to confirm they are physically fit to drive.
Currently HGV and PCV drivers need only to confirm their fitness by way of completing a medical once they reach the age of 45 (and every 5 years after till they reach 65 and then it’s once every year.) From January 19th 2013 DSA has announced changes to this system.
The text below is taken from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) website.
New drivers passing a driving test from 19 January 2013
If you pass your driving test in categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E, after 19 January 2013 you’ll receive a licence valid for five years. Every five years up to age 45, you’ll need to sign a declaration to confirm that you still meet the medical standards. After age 45, you’ll need to provide a medical examination report every five years to renew your driving entitlement.
Existing minibus, bus and lorry drivers
Drivers under 45 years old
If you passed a driving test in one of the categories below, you’ll come under the new rules when you renew your driving licence.
The categories affected are C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E. When you renew your licence, you’ll receive a licence that is valid for five years. Every time you renew it, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will need you to confirm that you still meet the medical standards.
If you apply to replace your licence because it is lost or stolen, or your personal details have changed, your new licence will run until the end of your original period. However, if you update your photo at the same time, you will come under the new five year rule.
Drivers over 45 years old
Drivers over 45 will continue to renew their entitlement as they do now. When you renew your licence at the end of a five year period, you will be renewing your driving entitlement. You will need to provide a medical examination report.
Expiry dates explained
The expiry date of your licence will be shown on the front of the card in section 4b. The expiry date of your entitlement will be shown on the back of the card.
