HGV - Medical

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Thu 10 Apr 2008 21:40
HGV - Medical - Nogobie
Hello, does anyone know what happens at the medical for Hgv? Is a urine test required as standard? Do they check your body physically..etc..many thanks!
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Thu 10 Apr 2008 21:58
HGV - Medical - JohnX
Takes approx 20-30 minutes
an indepth physical examination
Main bits are the following
Vision incl colour
Urine sample required
BP
Chest/Heart/Skeletal

Best to arrive a bit early and relax otherwise some have an elevated BP which then has to be repeated.

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Thu 10 Apr 2008 22:02
HGV - Medical - gordonbennet
Amazed they pass some of us very so slightly over weight, not to mention over the hill and well passed it steering wheel attendents.

If my memory etc, strict sight test, blood pressure, urine, weight, have a good laugh at the unfortunates general condition, make murmers about losing some weight etc, ask about smoking and drinking in condescending manner.

And then relieve you of around 120 knicker.

I'm sure i've missed a few parts out, you can have a look on some of the truckers forums (even more absurdity spouted there) for more info, and you can find more resonably priced medical fees via said forums.
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Fri 11 Apr 2008 12:42
HGV - Medical - adam f
Recently had mine. they checked my weight,height,eyesight and a urine test. also done some breathing exercises. Have a good look around for prices.My GP wanted £110 for this, but i ended up getting it done for £37 at a clinic.
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Fri 11 Apr 2008 16:48
HGV - Medical - doctorchris
I've recently left the world of general practice.
I'm shocked that GPs are charging £110 for the HGV medical.
I used to view the drivers I dealt with as my mates and charged about £45, a bit less if they were self-employed. Honestly, the examination was no big deal and I earned more than they did for my work.
Please ignore my cynicism but the NHS is screwing you folk blind. If only you could see the palaces that the administrators work out of you would be shocked at the waste of resources.
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Fri 11 Apr 2008 17:25
HGV - Medical - Screwloose
Dr Chris

I got charged £120 for mine. Five minutes total; no questions about my RA [thankfully;] the eyesight test was a joke [no colourblindness test - I am] and, as I knew I'd need glasses, I'd just been to the optician and got the glasses all ready - never got them out; he just said "that'll do" on the third line and put 6/6 on the D4.

He messed up a number of the answers and I had to go back and correct him [that went down well...] and when the DVLA wrote to him about his comments on my heart condition, he refused to answer them unless they paid him another £80 - which they did!

And my customers complain about £40 for half-an-hour of diagnostics using £50,000 worth of - very perishable - kit....?
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Fri 11 Apr 2008 17:40
HGV - Medical - doctorchris
I'm shocked but not surprised.
There are many comments I could post about doctors and the NHS but I will refrain as the anger it caues me to experience is not worth it.
Just remember that nobody should be exploited by their doctor and that the threat of a brief letter to the GMC will have the doctor crying in apology.
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Fri 11 Apr 2008 21:18
HGV - Medical - Sofa Spud
I had my last one 3 years ago. They checked heart, blood pressure, eyesight and I think I had to prove I could bend down and touch my toes, or almost touch them.

Also doctor goes through questionnaire about medical history. The previous medical had a urine test for diabetes but I don't remember one on this last test.

Actually, it emerges that narcolepsy is possibly the most dangerous condition affecting lorry drivers. There is speculation that many of the accidents where drivers fall asleep at the wheel are caused not just by normal tiredness but by undiagnosed narcolepsy.

My blood pressure was a little above normal, but I think this was partly due to the fact that I was preoccupied by the doctor using a blue pen to fill in the medical form and the instructions clearly said the form MUST be filled in in black ink, and I had visions of it being returned to me!

Edited by Sofa Spud on 11/04/2008 at 21:21

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Fri 4 Nov 2011 13:25
HGV - Medical - Roly93
Dr Chris I got charged £120 for mine. Five minutes total; no questions about my RA [thankfully;]

Wow, I'm surprised about this as I have RA and one of the symptoms is ease of fatigue.

Although looking at many of the HGV drivers I have seen around our network of motorway service areas, a lot of them look like a cardiac arrest on legs !

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Sun 26 Jul 2009 16:50
HGV - Medical - colin56
Do u know what it is urine tests are testing for?
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Sun 26 Jul 2009 16:51
HGV - Medical - colin56
Am going for an interview for hgv 1 job. What do they want to test my urine for? Cheers
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Sun 26 Jul 2009 17:01
HGV - Medical - Altea Ego
To legally keep your HGV they only test for DIABETES,

When applying for a job, they can test for abything they like. Traces of canabis or amphetamins or anything else thats dodgy means you wont get the job.


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Sun 26 Jul 2009 17:19
HGV - Medical - Lud
Cannabis traces stay in a person's blood for a very long time too. White powders consumed in passing are gone in a couple of days, but cannabis can hang about for weeks. It's got a lot of sportsmen, squaddies and policemen into trouble...
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Wed 2 Dec 2009 16:13
HGV - Medical - piston power
Here on the Railways in the uk a similar test is done before i got the job, at the interview i was told after when you get the paperwork for the test lay off the booze for 3 days before hand if i took drugs just forget it no chance.

Same again gave urine sample, eye test,hearing test sitting in a booth pressing buttons when you hear something, check your weight, blood pressure, walk on treadmill for few mins check heart rate, you would thing i was joining NASA !!

Passed and when your 40 it's every 5 years for the test but they do random drug and alchol testing you just get pulled in to give a sample no warning, HGV/car should be the same.



Edited by bigtee on 02/12/2009 at 16:15

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Wed 2 Dec 2009 17:07
HGV - Medical - Sofa Spud
I've got another LGV medical next year. So far I've always gone through OK.

A controversial point - but valid: If they're so bothered about LGV drivers' medical condition, why don't they re-test their driving every, say, 10 years too?

In fact, should all drivers have to do regular re-tests?

Edited by Sofa Spud on 02/12/2009 at 17:09

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Wed 2 Dec 2009 19:20
HGV - Medical - Robin Reliant
In fact should all drivers have to do regular re-tests?

Be careful what you wish for, because it definately would not be what you wanted.
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Fri 6 May 2011 17:29
HGV - Medical - PhilTuff

To Altea ego.

Just a note from an employment point of view, employers can only test for what you consent to - a drugs check should never be dropped on you unless your contract states you will have random drug checks.

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Fri 5 Aug 2011 17:10
HGV - Medical - hak
Hi. So basically when I'm doing my medical with the Dr for a provisional entitlement they're just going to check ONLY for Diabetes In my urine. And if I was having a medical for a JOB then only they check for cannabis in Urine e.t.c? So for provisional ebtitlement they won't check if I've had drugs in my urine for example? Please could you answer me. Thanks
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Fri 5 Aug 2011 19:02
HGV - Medical - pda

Hak, if you have a problem with drugs then you shouldn't be driving at all...end of...full stop...finito.

Sort the problem out and then apply for the provisional because it won't work any other way.

Pat

Edited by pda on 05/08/2011 at 19:02

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Fri 5 Aug 2011 20:10
HGV - Medical - jamie745

I'd like to think anybody taking cannabis would be prohibited from getting behind the wheel of a 4 million tonne vehicle.

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Fri 5 Aug 2011 22:24
HGV - Medical - Lygonos

The highest rates of failure are eyesight related.

Urine is indeed only checked for diabetes for the Licence but any other problems indicating kidney disease (ie. protein/blood in the urine) may result in the GP bringing you back for further tests.

Drugs are not tested for, but most businesses will have some drug-testing protocols.Cannabis remains detectable in urine for up to 6-8weeks if you have been using regularly.

Edited by Lygonos on 05/08/2011 at 22:25

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Fri 4 Nov 2011 13:27
HGV - Medical - Roly93

I'd like to think anybody taking cannabis would be prohibited from getting behind the wheel of a 4 million tonne vehicle.

Absolutely !

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Wed 2 Dec 2009 21:43
HGV - Medical - notathletic
When I went for my first PCV medical in 2003 I asked the doctor how much it was. She said she didn't believe in charging for a medical that you needed for a job.
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Thu 3 Dec 2009 05:26
HGV - Medical - pda
>>>but valid: If they're so bothered about LGV drivers' medical condition, why don't they re-test their driving every, say, 10 years too? <<<

SS, I can't seem to see why worrying about lorry drivers medical conditions has any link to re-testing their driving ability?

Anyone wanting an HGV Medical should Google 'cheap HGV Medicals' before booking with their own docter. It's around £36!

Pat
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Thu 3 Dec 2009 08:15
HGV - Medical - Harleyman
Mine are paid for by my employer but I echo Pat's advice, shop around.

SS, think you'll find that the recently introduced "Driver CPC" should assuage some of your concerns, especially if this government gold-plates it like they do every other bit of EU legislation.

Unfortunately the Driver CPC does not include advice on how to avoid car drivers who've never had any training since they passed their tests 50 years ago but still think they know it all. ;-)
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Thu 3 Dec 2009 08:31
HGV - Medical - jc2
No one else has mentioned it but my firm always checked heart(all wired up and then a print-out). but then we were big enough to have our own medical department.
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Sun 6 Dec 2009 16:52
HGV - Medical - ajsdoc
Reading this with interest as a GP. Tends to take me about 30 mins and around the £100 area seems to be the going rate.

Doctorchris, some of your comments do not ring true as those of a doctor "I used to view the drivers I did these for as my mates" and "just remember a letter to the GMC..have the doctor crying in apology etc" seems naive at the very least.

Of course the charge will seem high, and GPs are often derided as rich fat cats. I won't try and win an argument about that on this forum, however there is a professional training and the obvious overheads for this non NHS duty. You may want to compare it with other professional charges (eg accountants/lawyers). The patient, however, is certainly not your mate and this would be the wrong professional attitude to take when carrying out the examination. I am always aware the patients livelihood depends on passing, but also aware of my professional duty to complete the form accurately.

I make no other point other than the comments of Doctorchris do not somehow ring true. The costs borne by your GP will include the buildings, equipment and staff where the examination is done and don't forget the costly personal requirements needed for us to practice (not least defence fees (over £4000 annually, GMC fees over £400 annually, and I could go on....)
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Sun 6 Dec 2009 17:44
HGV - Medical - pda
My own GP, and quite a lot of other lorry drivers own GP's, will do it for half price ( approx £50) after asking if we have to pay for it ourselves.
However, if our Employer is paying the full price is charged.
Now I don't believe for one minute that my GP works for a loss at any time.
I do see though, just how the NHS is in the predicament it's in when it can be 'ripped off' so easily by it's employees.

Pat

Edited by pda on 06/12/2009 at 17:45

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Fri 6 May 2011 17:25
HGV - Medical - PhilTuff

Hi all, Abermed in London Waterloo currently offer these medicals for £90. It is the medical you should be getting and not just a cursory check to relieve you of your cash.

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Fri 13 May 2011 12:52
HGV - Medical - John F

My own GP, and quite a lot of other lorry drivers own GP's, will do it for half price ( approx £50) after asking if we have to pay for it ourselves. However, if our Employer is paying the full price is charged. Now I don't believe for one minute that my GP works for a loss at any time. I do see though, just how the NHS is in the predicament it's in when it can be 'ripped off' so easily by it's employees. Pat

I think you will find that GPs are like garage proprietors - they are not employees. Like gps, who can charge anything between £20 and £50 for an MoT, they can probably charge what they like.

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Fri 13 May 2011 13:19
HGV - Medical - Bobbin Threadbare

Indeed they can charge what they please. My other half had to do one of these to get a mini-bus license (driving kids on school trips) - you have to learn about lorry tachographs etc and have the medical too. Our GP charged him £99 for it. Luckily his school reimbursed him.

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Fri 5 Aug 2011 22:20
HGV - Medical - injection doc

have mine every 5 years now, 20 min check, urine, eyesight BP etc. Got away with my RA fortunatley. Charged £45.00

In reply to the doctor complaining about cost and justyfying his charges, my overheads for my Garage used to be 24K a month just running cots and had to turnover some48-60K a month to break even ! but if I had charged £150 an hour i wouldnt of ever got any work.

I had 7 years studying and training and continued courses throughout my career and had to pay huge amounts out for licences and bodies that i subscribed too ! Horses for courses, we are all skilled in our own way.

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Fri 4 Nov 2011 10:39
HGV - Medical - Brian 1311

Before I go and waste my money for a Medical , 55 this month, could you let me know your opinion please? I had bi -lateral hip replacement 2.5 years ago. Restrictions applied are "No squatting, no lifting more than 20Kg, no crossing the legs (well that one is out of the window as I found I started doing it naturally , no spontaneous dislocation YET ! )" to the best of my knowledge I have made a "satisfactory" recovery, many people I have met who I haven't seen since pre op find it hard to believe I have had them done. My walking is normal Etc;

My question is this, even though Medical Branch DVLA say there is no bar to driving HGV/LGV due to the THR it is down to the examining Dr to check my mobility Etc. How will this be done? I have a "little difficulty" bending down to touch my toes, obviously "they" aren't as good as real ones and it feels a bit weird, the bearing surfaces are 32mm and 38mm, as opposed to the larger radius of the real ones.

Do I have to tell them I have had them replaced? I am going to a Dr other than my GP as she knows they have been done and I think she may push the boundaries. The last Medical @ 50 was , BP, visual actuity , Ishihara colour perception , urine , Heart rate (Bradychardic @ 45, investigated ,non symptomatic, normal.) ECG was carried out as a result and no abnormalities found on trace other than rate. All NAD. I seem to recall she asked me to touch my toes and squat, THAT is the sticking point. Although still fit otherwise, I walk at least 2-3 miles a day, light smoker, never drink, slightly overweight, but in general reasonably good health. Prior to Hip problems had only seen GP for HGV Medicals and not seen her since.

Your views would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

Brian.

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Fri 4 Nov 2011 12:26
HGV - Medical - gordonbennet

Family member still drives fine after knee replacement last year but one, not as invasive as yours but there is former damage to her joints from years ago.

Take the medical, if there's something the doctor isn't sure about it will be referred to the voctional medical section at Swansea, this will take a few weeks if it goes to them.

You have nothing to lose, you can find other doctors via local agency drivers etc or indeed without looking i have a feeling there's a link above for cheaper medicals...i paid i think £35 last time, but you probably already know this.

best of luck and keep off the icy paths this winter..;).

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Sat 5 Nov 2011 04:39
HGV - Medical - pda

I've had four HGV medicals over the last 20 years and have never been asked to do anything physical despite my Doc knowing I suffer with Arthritis.

Among me fellow drivers I've never heard of any having to bend or squat either so I would say go for it, and bext of luck to you!

Pat

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Tue 24 Jan 2012 17:34
HGV - Medical - beerbelly69

I got quoted £130 by my doctors in Doncaster but went on the internet and got a medical done the next day in Sheffield for only £80. www.hgv-medical.co.uk

Unfortunately he found that my eyesight was borderline, BP high, sugar in the urine and b******ed me about my alcohol & chips intake;)

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Tue 24 Jan 2012 22:29
HGV - Medical - Lygonos

We charge 90 quid for an HGV/PCV medical.

Takes 20-40 minutes depending on what's wrong with the patient.

If you're a 25yr old athlete you'll not 'get your money's worth' whereas if you're a 70yr old obese alcoholic farmer who smokes unfiltered cowdung I'll wish you never came through the door ;-)

If any significant abnormalities show up (high BP, glucose in urine, odd heart sounds, dodgy chest, odd lumps in the belly) this leads to one or more further appointments which are obviously not paid for.

Word of advice:- if you've got a medical get yer eyes checked beforehand especially if you can't read a numberplate at 25 paces!

Edited by Lygonos on 24/01/2012 at 22:30

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Wed 22 Feb 2012 13:51
HGV - Medical - ashalina23

We charge 49 quid - and agree with above.

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Mon 30 Sep 2013 13:50
HGV - Medical - Slim Jim

Hi all

I had bypass done in 2000, and I'm pretty fit and well, but I do have AF (if you don't know what that is, you shouldn't be in a position to answer) and regurgitation.

Do the doctor-types ehre know if this can be a reason to fail a medical for HGV?

Cheers

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Mon 30 Sep 2013 14:18
HGV - Medical - RT

Hi all

I had bypass done in 2000, and I'm pretty fit and well, but I do have AF (if you don't know what that is, you shouldn't be in a position to answer) and regurgitation.

Do the doctor-types ehre know if this can be a reason to fail a medical for HGV?

Cheers

The DVLA website has details about the standard needed - I've only looked briefly but I'm expecting to lose my C1 at age 70 because of my AF - I believe the other C/D group requirements on health are even stricter.

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Mon 30 Sep 2013 15:42
HGV - Medical - bathtub tom

AF seems common here.

Warfarin, or one of the more recent drugs such as dabigatran?

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Mon 30 Sep 2013 16:15
HGV - Medical - RT

AF seems common here.

Warfarin, or one of the more recent drugs such as dabigatran?

I was on Warfarin for a while as it took the medics quite a while to fully diagnose what was going on but came off that to low-dose Aspirin when they fitted the pacemaker - my AF goes from periods of Intermittent AF to Persistent AF and then back so I may need to go back on Warfarin, especially as the 65th birthday gets an extra black point on the score sheet!

I don't want to go back on Warfarin, it plays havoc with my drinking - but if needs must .....

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Mon 30 Sep 2013 17:19
HGV - Medical - Slim Jim

Yes, I do warfarin too - and alcohol plays havoc with it as can the other thigns like greens. I'd sooner go without the drink and be safe (or safer) from a blinking stroke, that's for sure.

I've been checking out the DVLA site on medical forms, and they are stringent. It looks like all one can do is tell 'em the truth and hope they say it's ok to drive. If they say it isn't, then maybe that's a good thing too.

Last thing I want to do is kill anyone. (apart from my neighbours, but that's different).

:)

Edited by Slim Jim on 30/09/2013 at 17:21

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