22 Apr 2020
Posted By Josh Reynolds
On 17 April 2020 the Department for Transport announced temporary changes for applying for renewing vocational licenses. The changes apply to HGV drivers over 45 whose licences are due to expire, or have expired, since 1 January 2020.
Under this scheme, HGV drivers over 45 will be able to apply for a temporary 1-year licence, providing they do not have any medical conditions that affect their driving.
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.
If an HGV driver has no health condition
For HGV drivers over 45 years old & whose licence is about to expire, DVLA should have sent the D47 application form to renew the licence. All the driver needs do is complete the D47 form and send it to DVLA Swansea SA99 1BR. (We advise that this is done by recorded delivery, retaining proof of purchase).
Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) drivers currently do not need to provide a medical report (form D4) to apply to renew the licence.
It is vital that all questions are answered honestly. If an application is successful the driver will receive a 1-year licence (not the usual 5 year licence).
DVLA are treating all vocational renewal applications as priority applications. Drivers will normally receive the licence within 3 weeks of application.
If an HGV driver has not received the D47 renewal form then they should use the D2 form.
If an HGV driver has a health condition
If a driver ticks “Yes” to a medical condition DVLA will inform the driver of what action to take. The RHA intends to provide further information on this issue in future versions of this simplified guide.
The licence application process is different in Northern Ireland.
Driving before your licence is returned
You can drive while your licence is being renewed if you meet all the following conditions:
- you have the support of your doctor to continue driving
- you had a valid licence
- you only drive under the conditions of the previous licence
- your application is less than a year old
- your last licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons
- you’re not currently disqualified
- you were not disqualified as a high-risk offender on or after 1 June 2013
For more information on driving while your application please Read the DVSA guidance.
Contacting DVLA during COVID-19
If a driver needs to contact DVLA they need to be aware that DVLA are currently operating on reduced hours: opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.
Only contact DVLA if the query is urgent. DVLA staff will not be able to respond to other queries at this time.