Can I Apply for a HGV Licence?

Q.My sister has Epilepsy, she had 2 fits 11+ yrs ago and thats all, she is still on medication. She has had no fits since then can she apply for an HGV Licence?

A.

For driving a HGV, drivers need to have been free from epileptic fits and seizures for ten years or more to be classed as fit to drive. They also need to have not taken any anti-epileptic drugs in the last ten years, and have passed a full DVLA medical.

If you satisfy these guidelines, you can apply for a HGV driving licence, provided that you already have a full UK or EU car driving licence. He or she also needs to inform the DVLA of her epilepsy, if they have not done so already. It is a criminal offence to not declare a medical condition that can make you unfit to drive, and the DVLA often look unfavourably on drivers who fail to declare medical conditions. They can also impose a fine of up to £1000. For epilepsy, the relevant form is the EP1 form, which can be downloaded from the directgov website.

The D4 Medical Report form must be sent along with the provisional HGV driving licence application form and driving licence. You can download this form from the directgov website. This form needs to be taken to a GP, who will complete it for a fee of around £100. Epilepsy is one of the medical conditions that must be declared on the form, and a GP will be able to tell your whether her personal circumstances make her unfit to drive HGV vehicles. He or she can also inform the DVLA of the fact that you have been free from epileptic attacks recently through the medical report, but ultimately, the DVLA will make their decision as to whether you are fit to drive a HGV. If they decide that you are not fit to do so, they are unlikely to proceed with your provisional HGV driving licence application process.

The DVLA may issue a short period driving licence, which only entitles you to drive for between one and three years (depending on the length stated on the licence). This is reviewed once the licence expires. If you are issued with a short period driving licence, your epilepsy will be reviewed at the end of the 1, 2 or 3 year period for which your short period driving licence is valid. If the DVLA deem that you are still suitable to drive, they will issue a new short period driving licence. You will usually need to complete another medical at this point to renew your licence.

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