Government takes further action to support bus and lorry drivers who are keeping the country moving

As long as they are fit to drive, applicants will be able to apply for a 1-year licence without the need to provide further medical evidence. This latest action from Government will keep key supply chains flowing and ensure NHS staff can prioritise vital work on Coronavirus

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has today (Friday 17 April) announced that it will be easier for bus and lorry drivers to renew their expiring driving licences. This latest action taken by the Government and DVLA will ensure that bus and lorry drivers can continue their vital work and keep the country moving.

As NHS staff rightly focus on the nationwide response to Coronavirus, the Government has temporarily relaxed the requirement for bus and lorry drivers to provide a doctor’s medical report in order to renew their licence.

Under the scheme, drivers will be able to receive a temporary 1-year licence, providing they do not have any medical conditions that affect their driving and their current licence expires in 2020.  This temporary change will not only keep 30,000 drivers on the road each month, but will also relieve pressure on NHS staff who are working hard on the frontline to tackle Coronavirus and help parts of the emergency services to deliver their critical role.

Drivers with health issues will still need to declare these, and those with health issues that prevent them from driving safely will not have their licence renewed.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

“With our NHS staff working around the clock to combat Coronavirus, we are determined to help vital bus and lorry drivers support our incredible industry and keep Britain moving.

“By temporarily relaxing the requirement to provide a doctor’s medical report as part of the bus and lorry driving licence renewal process we will ensure that those who are fit to drive can continue delivering critical goods around the country and getting workers to the front line. This will also help to ensure doctors and nurses can continue their crucial efforts to fight Coronavirus.”

This temporary change will only apply to those drivers whose licences are due to expire or have expired since 1 January 2020. The licence will only be valid for one year and then the driver will need to submit a completed D4 when the licence is next due for renewal.

This temporary change applies to all drivers aged 45 and over who currently need a D4 medical report as part of their driving licence application.  These include drivers of vehicles that weigh over 3.5 tonnes, or passenger-carrying vehicles with 9 or more seats, such as minibuses and buses.

Currently, bus and lorry drivers over the age of 45 have to renew their entitlement to drive every five years and the application must be accompanied by a medical report (known as a D4). This needs to be completed by a doctor.  After the age of 65 entitlement to drive must be renewed annually and these applications must also be accompanied by a D4.

Under these temporary changes, these drivers will be able to renew their licence without the need to provide a D4 provided there are no debarring health issues, which drivers must declare and their licence has not expired before 1 January 2020.

For information on Group 1 and Group 2 Licences see here.