- Date
- 18th December 2024
- Details
-
The licensing team has listened to feedback, on the challenges in obtaining medical examination appointments and the significant increase in costs.
In consultation with your trade representatives, and following a recent working group, the following has been agreed for future medical examinations for private hire and hackney carriage drivers (please note numbers 1 to 3 below reflect current policy):
1. All holders of a licence to drive a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle are required to meet the ‘DVLA Group 2 Medical Standard’.
2. The costs associated with the ‘DVLA Group 2 Medical Standard’ examination remains the responsibility of the individual licence holder.
3. A ‘DVLA Group 2 Medical Standard’ examination is required:
- a. At aged 45 years old and then every 5 years (subject to when a 3 year licence is issued).
- b. At aged 65 years old and then every year.
- c. If a medical condition requires an annual assessment (this will be determined by the licensing team).
4. From the January 2025, the current council medical documentation:
- Full Certificate of Medical Fitness.
- Annual Statement of Medical Fitness.
Will be replaced by the ‘DVLA Medical Examination Report’ (also known as the D4). A link to the D4 is available by following this link: DVLA D4 Medical Examination report
5. The DVLA has created a useful guide, which contains information on the D4 medical examination. A link to this guidance is available by following this link: D4 medical examination report for a Group 2, bus or lorry licence
6. When submitting an application to renew your licence, if evidence of your medical fitness is required (please see 3 above), you must provide the D4 and the Bolton Council ‘Medical Declaration’ form completed by the GP completing the D4. A link to the ‘Medical Declaration’ will be provided in the follow up email outlined below.
7. From January 2025, licence holders will be able to choose who can complete their D4 and ‘Medical Declaration’. This can be your normal GP based in the UK, or any General Medical Council (GMC) registered GP who lives and works in the UK.
8. Not all GP’s will carry out the eye test, which is required as part of the D4. So you may need an appointment with an Optician to complete this part.
9. We recommend that before you make an appointment, you ask the D4 provider questions about the service offered and the cost.
The team is currently implementing the new medical arrangements. In January, once everything is in place, a follow up email will be circulated with a ‘go live’ date. This follow up email will include the links to the medical guidance notes, the D4 and Medical Declarations.
We will accept medical documentation completed in the old format during the transition, but please note medical documentation is only valid for 4 months from the date the GP completes and following the ‘go live’ date.
Please take the opportunity to view the ‘Taxi Trade Updates’ page on Bolton Council’s website, which is available by following this link: Taxi trade updates – Bolton Council