This forum helped me through some difficult times so the least I can do is share my experience..
1) Date you applied for new licence:
12/04/17
2) Date when you got the letter to book medical:
02/05/17 (Letter dated 27/04)
3) Date when I called the surgery to book medical:
This was a bit of a nightmare. I first called a week after I received the letter. First of all the number on the letter was incorrect. I found the correct number and after being on hold for 10 mins I was told it was a different department that dealt with the DVLA medicals and that he would pass a message to his colleague to call me back. 4 days later I called again. Again I was on hold for 5-10 mins and again I was told someone would call me back. I stressed that this was the second time I had called. The receptionist told me that the department who deals with the DVLA medicals was extremely busy and that all she could do was pass on a message. A week later I called again… On hold again forever only to be told that I was through to the wrong number and that I need to call back and press option 1. I was pretty sure I had selected the correct option but I called back without losing my temper and guess what… I was on hold for 5 – 10mins. This was getting a bit silly now. So I got the same old “someone will call you back” routine. The next day I emailed DVLA to explain. Two hrs after I sent the email I had a phone call from the surgery with a date which was actually outside of the 6 week window which DVLA give you (6 weeks from the date of the letter). She explained that DVLA were OK with this.
4) Date of Medical:
13[SUP]th[/SUP] June
5) Date of Results and Outcome:
Full licence received in post 21[SUP]st[/SUP] June
Also Please state:
1) Period of abstinence prior to actual medical Date:
3 Days
2) Drinking habits prior to abstinence period:
Since driving ban almost daily 8-12 units. Like a lot of people I have spoken to in the same situation, alcohol consumption had increased since ban. I had a dry November last year just to see how I would cope, then in March another 4 weeks with exception to one binge (16 units). After those 4 weeks I had a
CDT test done online by Medichecks. The result was 0.7%.
After that I decided not to worry too much about abstaining for a long period and thought a couple of weeks would be fine, so I would have a few drinks (beer or cider, around 4-8 units) when I felt the need, maybe 2-3 times per week. I had another CDT test via Medichecks two weeks before medical. The result was 1.0%.
I take a one multivitamin, one iron and one cod liver oil per day (always have done). Exercise a couple of times a week and eat well. I have no idea why my CDT levels are so low but I have heard that Iron overload can have a negative impact on CDT levels. By negative, I mean give a lower reading. I would definitely recommend getting a personal CDT test done before you abstain to see where your levels are at.
I’ll also share my medical experience: on arrival (after 2hrs bus journey) I had to pay the receptionist the exact amount of cash. She gave me the questionnaire to fill in and seemed disappointed that I wasn’t equipped with my own pen. There were two other people completing the questionnaires in reception, struggling to write on their laps. I spotted a small table in the corner of the room which was home to a dozen or so out of date magazines, so I pulled a chair up to the tiny table and put the magazines on the floor. It reminded me of that scene from Men in Black!
I thought I was going to be there for hours as the letter stated I should allow one hr for the examination and there were obviously two other people in front of me. One of the other guys was called in just as I handed back the receptionists precious bic biro.
10 minutes later the first guy came out of the doctor’s room and left the building. The second guy went in shortly after and was also only 10 minutes. £98.50 for 10 minutes work. I am in the wrong game!
So my turn came. The doctor was very down to earth and did her best to make me feel at ease. She asked a few questions about alcohol consumption, along the same lines as the questionnaire. She asked my height, took my weight, blood pressure, blood sample, asked me to stand and put my arms and hands out straight to see if I had the shakes. Then checked my chest and back with her stethoscope. “All done”, she said. “It’s up to DVLA now”. I thanked her and left, feeling like I should have got a more thorough check for £98.50.
I wish everyone the best of luck. The last 18 months has been arduous and yet somewhat an enlightening experience.
Onwards and upwards!