I wanted to share my experience having been grateful to some of the advice in this forum.
Banned - January 2022 HRO
Ban - 12 month (reduced to 9months on DDR course)
Applied for new license - 20 July 2022
Invitation to book medical letter received - 11th August
Booked medical - 15th August
Date of medical - 17th August (due to a cancellation)
Licence received in post - 2nd September
Licence valid - from 20th October
6 weeks no drinking before medical (heavy ish prior). Said I had 6 units or more twice in last 6 months and a drink 2 or 3 times per month. Answered no to everything else. Medical was blood test, weight and height, blood pressure, I had to hold my hands out straight and did an eye test. They didn’t contact GP. Don’t know cdt score.
I have found the dvla very quick and not had to phone them. Just my experience but seem to be a lot of scare stories on here.
Hope that’s of help to someone.
Good luck!