HGV Medical Requirements

It is advisable to check that you meet the medical standards needed for driving before you make an appointment. If you have any doubts please consult your own GP.

Medical standards required for drivers of Group 2 vehicles (lorries, buses and minibuses) are higher than those required for Group 1 (car and motorcycle) drivers.

These standards also apply when renewing categories C1 (small or medium lorries between 3500–7500kg) and D1 (minibuses not for hire or reward) which were given when a car driving test was passed before 1997.

HGV Medical Eyesight Requirements

All drivers must be able to read in good light, with glasses or contact lenses if worn, a car number plate from 20 metres and have eyesight (visual acuity) of 6/12 (decimal Snellen equivalent 0.5) or better.

Applicants for Group 2 entitlements must also have, as measured by the 6 metre Snellen chart:

•  a visual acuity of at least 6/7.5 (decimal Snellen equivalent 0.8) in the better eye
  
•  a visual acuity of at least 6/60 (decimal Snellen equivalent 0.1) in the worse eye

This may be achieved with or without glasses or contact lenses.

If glasses are worn for driving, the spectacle prescription of either lens used must not be of a corrective power greater than plus 8 (+8) dioptres in any meridian.



HGV Medical General Health Requirements

Our doctor will ask a series of questions as listed on the D4 form.

The doctor will only sign you off as medically fit if they are satisfied that you meet the requirements.

If you have a complex medical history it is often easier to get your own GP to conduct the Driver Medical and complete the D4 forms.

As a rough guide, you should consult your own GP if have a history of any of the following:

• Uncontrolled symptoms of double vision
  
• Intolerance to glare
• Restricted visual field
• Neurological disorders
• Diabetes mellitus
• Certain cardiac conditions
• Psychiatric illness
• Recent substance misuse
• Sleep disorders
• Any other conditions likely to affect the safe driving of a Large Goods Vehicle