D4 driver medicals for Northumberland

D4 medical for Northumberland drivers

Every bus, coach and lorry licence needs a D4 at the first application and at each renewal from 45, then every five years until 65 and every year from 65.

PCV medicals for coach, rural bus and school transport drivers

Rural bus routes, school contracts and coach tours to the coast, the Cheviots and Hadrian's Wall all need drivers with D or D1 entitlement. Many of those drivers work to a seasonal pattern, with summer tours and term-time school runs.

Planning around the busy season

The DVLA must receive the D4 within four months of the doctor signing it, so a coach driver with a renewal due in midsummer can often have the medical in a quieter month beforehand and still send the form in time. A PCV medical follows the same examination for first applications and renewals.

Minibus drivers over 70

Drivers who passed their car test before 1997 and use their D1 entitlement for community or voluntary minibus work need a D4 at 70 to keep it. The D4 renewals page explains the rules for C1 and D1 at 70.

HGV medicals for port, timber and farm haulage

The Port of Blyth, the industrial estates around Cramlington and Ashington, timber haulage from the county's forests and agricultural transport all depend on lorry drivers. An HGV medical covers first applications and renewals for categories C, C1, CE and C1E. Firms with several drivers to book can use operator and fleet medicals.

Taxi medicals for Northumberland County Council licence holders

Northumberland County Council licenses hackney carriage and private hire drivers across the county, from Berwick to Prudhoe. Councils in the region generally apply the DVLA Group 2 standard, but the medical form can be the D4 or the council's own. Send the current form with your quote request and PCV Medicals will confirm it can complete it. The taxi medical page has more detail.

How far is the appointment from Northumberland?

Journey times vary a great deal across the county, so the best route depends on where you start.

South-east Northumberland

From Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington and Cramlington, the A189 Spine Road and the A19 lead straight towards Newcastle. Cramlington and Morpeth also have rail services into Newcastle Central.

Hexham, the Tyne Valley and the north

The A69 and the Tyne Valley line serve Hexham, Corbridge and Prudhoe, while drivers from Alnwick and the north of the county can use the A1. Many drivers from further afield pick a date when they are already coming into Newcastle, and you can use the preferred date field in the quote form to plan around it. The appointment address is confirmed when you book.

What the D4 examination covers

Knowing what to expect makes the journey easier to plan. During the appointment the doctor will:

• test your eyesight in each eye and check your field of vision against the Group 2 standard
• measure your blood pressure
• ask about conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, sleep apnoea and mental health
• go through the medication you take
• complete and sign the D4 or your council's form

Group 2 drivers must not drive if their resting blood pressure is consistently 180 systolic or higher, or 100 diastolic or higher. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, bring details of your medication.

What does a D4 medical in Northumberland cost?

The fee is fixed and confirmed in your quote, so you know the cost before you travel. It includes the eyesight test and the completed D4. See the pricing page, or request a quote with your preferred dates.