The UK’s largest provider of D4 medicals has moved swiftly to clarify the situation regarding who can complete the DVLA D4 medical questionnaire required as part of an HGV or PCV driver’s licence application.
Confusion has arisen over DVLA plans to widen the pool of healthcare professionals eligible to complete questionnaires with many people believing a nurse practitioner will now be able to carry out a D4 medical instead of a doctor. But this is not the case.
D4Drivers, based in Shrewsbury, has been carrying out D4 medicals since 2013 and the firm’s GMC registered doctors are carrying out more than 11,000 examinations across it’s 85 clinics nationwide every month.
Tom Blain, of D4Drivers, said: “There has been a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the changes the DVLA are planning regarding medicals and it’s important for people to know that the requirements for D4 medicals will remain the same – they will still need to be carried out by a doctor and this has been clarified by DVLA.
“The DVLA launched a consultation earlier this month aimed at what they claim will speed up the licensing process by allowing nurse practitioners to complete medical questionnaires in support of licence applications – reducing the burden on doctors and consultants.
“We were worried about what was proposed and considered that such a change regarding HGV and PCV medicals would pose a potential threat to road safety, so we contacted the DVLA to clarify the situation.
“We asked if they were suggesting that nurses should be able to complete DVLA D4 medicals for HGV licences and they confirmed to us that any changes made following the consultation will not include the D4 medical – that criteria remains unchanged.
“The DVLA could have been clearer in setting out their consultation proposals and we have already fielded a number of enquiries via phone and online about just what exactly was being planned.
“We welcome the news that D4 medicals will continue as before and that it will be a doctor carrying out the examination. It’s important to make drivers aware of this and we are happy to clarify the situation.
“Professional drivers are expected to meet Group 2 medical standards and the best way of ensuring this is by undertaking their medical with a GMC registered doctor at a reputable medical provider.
“D4Drivers has the largest network of doctors and clinics providing HGV and PCV D4 medicals across the country – helping to deliver on our commitment to keep the logistics industry moving and promoting driver health and wellbeing.”
For more about D4Drivers, call 0300 3030668 or visit the website at https://d4drivers.uk/.
