HGV lorry drivers need to take a D4 medical to get their licence. Also known as the Group 2 medical
examination, it’s designed to make sure you’re fit and healthy for the road.
To get your HGV driver licence, you need to hold a full car driving licence already. Then you have to
pass the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification, and the HGV driver
medical.
It’s not as complicated as it sounds though, and you don’t have to be in perfect health to pass.
What is the HGV Driver Medical?
The Group 2 driver medical for HGV lorry drivers checks that you’re in good all-round health, and
ready for the challenges that haulage driving can throw at you.
You’ll need to make an appointment with a fully licenced, GMC registered doctor. Be prepared to tell
them about all the details of any health problems, past and present, that could affect your driving.
It’s particularly important that you mention any neurological problems or sleep disorders, mental
health problems, heart conditions, alcohol or drug problems, or sight conditions.
And you should also bring details of medications you take regularly.
As part of the D4 medical assessment, you’ll have to pass blood pressure and eyesight tests to the
DVLA’s standards. You also need to demonstrate your mental agility, which of course comes into
play on a daily basis when you’re dealing with ever-changing conditions on the road.
Health problems don’t necessarily mean you’re ineligible. It can be the case that certain conditions
just need to be watched carefully, so it’s worth discussing them.
And it goes without saying, honesty is always the best policy. Drivers can lose their licences for
failing to declare a health condition, so it’s not worth keeping it to yourself.
How to Get Your HGV Lorry Driver Medical Form
You can download the D4 medical examiner report form on the DVLA’s website. Then just bring the
form along to your assessment for the doctor to complete.
On the day of the driver medical, the doctor will make their assessment. You can take the form away
with you at the end of the appointment.
Sometimes you might be asked to take a further test due to a particular health concern. In these
cases, it’s possible you’ll be asked to return after undergoing those additional checks.
Don’t worry if you’re new to haulage or it’s been a while since you last took a driver medical. All the
information is on the DVLA website as well. They also have up to date notes on how to send the
Group 2 medical examination report form to the DVLA to obtain your HGV licence.
Once you’re up and running, lorry drivers need to retake the driver medical at certain points in your
career. Most drivers need to retake their medical when they renew at age 45, and at 5-year intervals
after that up to age 65. From that point, you need to retake the D4 each year.
In these cases, you may already have the form your need for your HGV driver medical. DVLA will
usually send you a D4 medical form when your licence is approaching its renewal date.
Book Your HGV Lorry Driver Medical
To book the D4 driver medical for HGV driving, visit our booking page and select an appointment at a
time that suits you.
My Driver Medical are experienced in carrying out DVLA medicals, so the doctor carrying out your
medical assessment knows what’s expected. They will also be able to complete the eye test
component of the test at the same time (not all providers can offer this, so it’s always worth
checking).
We offer same day and short notice lorry driver medicals, with appointments available on the
weekend and evenings. So there’s no need to wait to get this stage of your HGV lorry driver licence
application or renewal completed.