Our services
Driver medical services in Newcastle
PCV Medicals provides medicals for every type of professional driving licence, from a first bus licence to an annual renewal at 66. Choose your service below, or pick "Not sure, please advise" in the quote form and we'll tell you which one you need.
- D4 medicals for lorry and bus licences
- Council medicals for taxi drivers
- Group bookings for operators
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A fixed price and available dates, sent by email.
Our service
Driver medicals from PCV Medicals
PCV Medicals carries out medicals for professional drivers in Newcastle upon Tyne: D4 medicals for lorry and bus licences, taxi and private hire medicals for council licences, renewal medicals from 45 onwards and group bookings for employers.
What we do
We examine drivers against the DVLA Group 2 standard and complete the D4 or council form their licence depends on, for first applications and renewals.
How the service works
You request a quote online, choose from the appointment times we email you and attend one appointment in Newcastle, where a GMC-registered doctor completes your form.
What you can expect
- A 20 to 30 minute appointment
- Eyesight test included
- A fixed fee agreed in advance
- Your form completed on the day
Choose your medical
Driver medicals offered by PCV Medicals
Each service uses the same thorough examination. The difference is the licence you're applying for and the form that needs completing.
D4 medical
The DVLA's Group 2 medical examination report, required for any lorry or bus licence. Includes the eyesight test and completed form.
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PCV medical
For drivers applying for or renewing bus, coach and minibus entitlement in categories D, D1, DE and D1E.
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HGV medical
For drivers applying for or renewing lorry entitlement in categories C, C1, CE and C1E.
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Taxi & private hire medical
Council licensing medicals for hackney carriage and private hire drivers, to the Group 2 standard.
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D4 renewal medical
Renewal medicals at 45, every five years to 65, every year from 65, and for C1 and D1 holders at 70.
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Operator & fleet medicals
Coordinated bookings for bus operators, hauliers, taxi firms, community transport and training schools.
Learn moreAt a glance
Which medical does your licence need?
| Licence or role | Categories | Medical | When it's needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus and coach driver | D, DE | D4 (Group 2) | First application, 45, every 5 years, annually from 65 |
| Minibus driver | D1, D1E | D4 (Group 2) | First application, renewals, and at 70 for older car licences |
| Lorry or HGV driver | C, CE | D4 (Group 2) | First application, 45, every 5 years, annually from 65 |
| 7.5 tonne lorry driver | C1, C1E | D4 (Group 2) | First application, renewals, and at 70 for older car licences |
| Taxi or private hire driver | Council licence | Council form or D4 | First licence and at intervals set by your council |
What every PCV Medicals appointment includes
Whichever service you book, the examination follows the DVLA's Group 2 standard. That means a proper eyesight test, a blood pressure check and a careful review of your medical history and medication. The doctor then completes the relevant form in full, so it doesn't come back from the DVLA or your council with a section missing.
- Eyesight test for each eye and a field of vision check
- Blood pressure measurement
- Review of conditions that can affect driving
- Medication review
- Form completed and signed by a GMC-registered doctor
- An explanation of anything the DVLA may ask about
Booking for yourself or for a team
Most drivers book their own medical, usually when they start training or when a renewal reminder arrives. Employers and training providers can also book on behalf of their drivers. PCV Medicals' operator and fleet service brings a group of bookings together under one quote and one point of contact, while each driver's medical information stays confidential to them.
Where appointments take place
PCV Medicals is based in Newcastle upon Tyne, and the appointment address is confirmed when you book. The city is easy to reach from Gateshead, Sunderland, North and South Tyneside, County Durham and Northumberland by road, Metro or rail. See the areas we cover for travel information from your town.
Medicals for drivers at every stage
PCV Medicals sees drivers at every point in their career. That includes trainees in their twenties applying for provisional bus entitlement, lorry drivers renewing at 45 and 50, coach drivers in their late sixties renewing every year, and drivers in their seventies keeping C1 or D1 to tow a caravan or drive a club minibus. The examination is the same Group 2 standard each time, and the doctor takes into account any changes to your health since your last medical.
Not sure which medical you need?
If you're applying for a lorry or bus licence, renewing one, or keeping C1 or D1 after 70, you need a D4. If you're applying for a taxi or private hire badge, check your council's licensing pages for its medical form. Still unsure? Choose "Not sure, please advise" in the quote form and tell us what you're applying for.
FAQs
Questions about our services
Who needs a D4 medical?
Anyone applying for lorry or bus entitlement for the first time (categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE), and Group 2 drivers renewing at 45, every five years until 65 and every year after that. Drivers who want to keep C1 or D1 from an older car licence also need one at 70.
Do you carry out taxi and private hire medicals?
Yes. PCV Medicals completes taxi and private hire medicals to the Group 2 standard on the D4 or on your council's own form. Send the form with your quote request and we'll confirm before you book.
How much does a D4 medical cost?
PCV Medicals charges a fixed fee for each medical, confirmed in writing in your quote before you book. The fee covers the examination, the eyesight test and the completed form.
How long does the appointment take?
Most D4 medicals at PCV Medicals take around 20 to 30 minutes. Allow a little longer if you have a medical condition the doctor needs to go through in detail.
Can I wear glasses or contact lenses for the eyesight test?
Yes. You can wear glasses or contact lenses, but glasses used to meet the standard must not be stronger than +8 dioptres. Bring whatever you wear to drive.
Book your D4 medical in Newcastle
Tell us which medical you need and when. We'll come back with a fixed price and the next available appointments.