No one can say for certain as you would need to know what your CDT level is at present. CDT has a half life of around 14 days,Hi all, CDT test booked for 7th of DEC. Have been drinking fairly daily, maybe 6 pints of stella most days. Am I likely to be under the threshold if I abstain until my test? Thanks
Interesting you say under 2.2... I've been advised on here that because we're HRO regardless of medical history we have to get under 1%No one can say for certain as you would need to know what your CDT level is at present. CDT has a half life of around 14 days,
If e.g. it was 14%, then after 2 weeks it would be 7% then after 4 weeks, 3.5% then after 6 weeks it would be 1.75%.
Given you have just asked the question, it will be a close run thing to get below 3.5 and the DVLA would be looking for below 2.2%. If however you have dependency logged anywhere and they go to your GP, then they will look for something below 1.5%.
I was 0.30% (but that was after 3 years abstinence,) and I still only got a 1 year licence.
Of course the above figures are just estimates as a lot will also depend on your oown physiology and how it deals with CDT.
Remember if you fail, it will be another year before you can apply, and if you are truthful on the questionnaire and say you drink 126 units a week, well, you answer the question.
And remember, if you do get your licence back and keep drinking at this level, you will drive drunk again and probably get caught.
How long is a piece of string?Interesting you say under 2.2... I've been advised on here that because we're HRO regardless of medical history we have to get under 1%
I think if you are an HRO as I am and many of us are, then the lower the better. You wanna be under 1 if at all possible but, the standard is supposed to be under 2.2 but why would anyone risk that is beyond me. You fail? Another year in the wildernessInteresting you say under 2.2... I've been advised on here that because we're HRO regardless of medical history we have to get under 1%
Just wondering if my private test was right I normally drink between 4,5 to 9 units a bottle of wine over a weekend I abstained for 4 days and got 0.8% I have not drank since then and plan not to until my medical but can’t even get one at this stage. I am curious how much more it is gong to come down or if it will me more or less the same. Will let everyone knowI think if you are an HRO as I am and many of us are, then the lower the better. You wanna be under 1 if at all possible but, the standard is supposed to be under 2.2 but why would anyone risk that is beyond me. You fail? Another year in the wilderness
Rotten bastardsDuring the early days of denial, I had a couple of CDT medichecks. Then later, after first (failed) medical (due to overdose rather than drinking, I thankfully proved), and around the time I wanted it known I’d stopped drinking; the GP performed a couple for me to help prove this.
I seem to recall that for me it took about just over a month to get from my level of ‘saturation’ (probably just north of 3.0% at the time), to a ‘good’ 1.0%.
What I spotted was that the half-life rule follows. It drops quickly-ish first few days, but that decay decays. If you were to interpolate it as linearly as you could (i.e. draw a straight line), I’d say that for me it decayed at around 0.05% a day of abstinence. And I drank more or less what you do now, give or give a bit.
Meaning that using my rule, to get from 3.0% (a typical, blasé failure result for sake of example) to 1.0% would take around 40 days. So you’ve stopped just about in time I’d say.
But this is just me and my blood, please don’t take what I’ve written above as in any way gospel. Some on here have drank until quite late, and breezed it. Others were less lucky (I bet it’s those rotten bastards who don’t suffer hangovers who make up the former). But a month or so off is good for most, and I’m sure it’ll be the same for you pal.
HTH. Good luck.
Hi all, CDT test booked for 7th of DEC. Have been drinking fairly daily, maybe 6 pints of stella most days. Am I likely to be under the threshold if I abstain until my test? Thanks
Interesting you say under 2.2... I've been advised on here that because we're HRO regardless of medical history we have to get under 1%
hi all thanks for your replies. I was classed as a HRO yes but am now classed as a medical renewal as was given a 1 year license. So will be aiming for less than 1%. I have ordered a
Medichecks test kit and will update you once I find out my current level. Thanks
I am awaiting my second medical yes, been driving on a section 88. Put my renewal app in on nov last year. Was also on a years license.You have five weeks until the 7th December. Don't drink anything until after the CDT has been taken. You should be fine by then.
To keep this whole process simple and straight forward, I would advise everyone who is a HRO to aim for below 1.0%.
You are in the same boat as me. I was a HRO then was issued with a 12 month temporary licence that has now expired. The HRO label is no longer relevant to us - we are now classed as Medical Renewals. Can I ask if you are waiting for your second medical?
CJ
Whit? You applied in November last year and you still don't have your licence renewal. That's not good, not only for you but also for me as I'm about to begin the process after having been granted a 1 year licence in Feb this year.I am awaiting my second medical yes, been driving on a section 88. Put my renewal app in on nov last year. Was also on a years license.
S88 lasts while everything is pending,Whit? You applied in November last year and you still don't have your licence renewal. That's not good, not only for you but also for me as I'm about to begin the process after having been granted a 1 year licence in Feb this year.
Perhaps you and anyone with better knowledge can answer these, but;
a) Is your S88 'approval' about to expire? (only you can answer that one.)
b) Can you continue to drive even if your application is still pending?
c) Do you need to make another application?
d) How long before your current licence expired did you apply for a renewal.? Was it 90 days or 56 days?
e) Is that correct that you haven't even had your medical?
f) Has your GP been contacted and have they replied to the DVLA?
Sorry for all the seemingly newbie questions, but this will be my first time applying under the medical licence route.
Thanks for replying so quickly. Much appreciated. Seems strange though that the DVLA have approached your GP prior to any DVLA organised medical.S88 lasts while everything is pending,
yes you can continue to drive while pending,
Not as far as I’m aware
I think it was 3 months, but it was a while ago
I haven’t had my medical for this one no
Dvla and gp have been in touch with each other yes,
This isn’t my first medical it’s a renewal so I imagine this is their procedure. Yeah I fill my own questionnaire in.Thanks for replying so quickly. Much appreciated. Seems strange though that the DVLA have approached your GP prior to any DVLA organised medical.
Did the DVLA send you the questionnaire to complete?
I am awaiting my second medical yes, been driving on a section 88. Put my renewal app in on nov last year. Was also on a years license.