HGV Licence Renewal at Age 45: What Changes

If you hold a standard Group 2 HGV entitlement, turning 45 means you will usually need a D4 medical examination report when you renew. DVLA normally sends form D47P, the renewal application, and form D4, the medical report, 56 days before your licence runs out. A D4 is generally required every five years from age 45 until age 65, then annually. Check the instructions for your own entitlement, especially if your renewal falls close to your 45th birthday or you hold a medically restricted licence.

What changes when you turn 45?

At 45, the usual Group 2 renewal process changes to include a D4. The D47P is your renewal application. The D4 records a medical assessment and a vision assessment. DVLA says renewal itself is free, although the doctor, optician or optometrist may charge for completing the report or its vision section.

DVLA normally sends the two forms 56 days before your licence expires. If you are under 45 but your licence runs out within 56 days of your 45th birthday, GOV.UK directs you to follow the process for drivers aged 45 or over. Check the dates carefully and follow the instructions that come with your forms.

If you are under 45 and your licence does not run out within that window, the standard renewal process normally uses form D47PU. The rules described here concern Great Britain. DVLA says the process differs in Northern Ireland.

See the current GOV.UK guidance on renewing a lorry or bus licenceGOV.UK and the specific instructions for drivers aged 45 or overGOV.UK. Use GOV.UK to obtain the current forms rather than relying on an old paper copy.

Why have I received a D4?

For a driver aged 45 or over renewing a Group 2 entitlement, a D4 is normally part of the renewal process. Receiving one does not, on its own, mean DVLA has identified a health problem. A D4 may also be needed for other applications, such as a first Group 2 application, a new Group 2 provisional entitlement in some circumstances, or certain C1 or D1 applications. The form and circumstances matter, so check the guidance that applies to your case.

The D4 has medical and vision sections. A doctor can complete both if they are able to answer all the vision questions fully and accurately. If not, you must arrange for an optician or optometrist to complete the vision assessment. The DVLA INF4D booklet says that a doctor completing the D4 must be GMC registered and licensed to practise in the United Kingdom or registered within the EU. Before arranging an appointment, check that the professional can complete the parts of the D4 you need.

The medical appointment does not renew your entitlement. It supplies information for your application; DVLA considers the application and decides whether to issue the licence. If you are unsure why a D4 was included, check your entitlement and application route against the current DVLA instructions.

How often is a D4 needed?

For a standard Group 2 entitlement, the usual schedule is:

• At age 45, a D4 is required with the renewal.
• From age 45 until 65, a D4 is generally needed every five years.
• From age 65, a D4 is generally needed annually.

The D4 is part of a licence application or renewal. It is not a general health check and does not replace advice from your GP. If you develop a condition that could affect your ability to drive safely, DVLA says you must tell them. Speak to your GP if you have concerns about your health or fitness to drive.

Some entitlement histories have different requirements. The INF4D booklet says that someone under 70 with a medically restricted car or motorcycle licence held before 1 January 1997 may need a D4 when applying for C1 or C1/D1 entitlement. It also says that a person aged 70 who still needs C1 and D1 entitlement needs a D4 every three years. For medically restricted licences, the booklet says a D4 is not needed for renewal until age 45; after 45, a D4 is required every five years. These are specific exceptions, not a substitute for checking your own licence record and the full current guidance.

How long is a D4 valid?

The D4 report’s validity period is different from your licence period. The INF4D booklet says the D4 is valid for four months from the date it is signed and dated by the doctor and, where applicable, the optician or optometrist. Plan when to have the examination so that the report is still within that period when you submit it.

The booklet also says to send the completed D4 with your application form and driving licence. If you send the forms separately, processing will be delayed. Check that every section has been completed: DVLA says an incomplete report will result in your application being returned. If you think there may be a delay or your report is approaching the end of its validity, check the current DVLA instructions before relying on it.

What should I take to the appointment?

The INF4D booklet recommends taking identification documents, your D4 information booklet, and your driving glasses and glasses prescription if you wear glasses to meet the eyesight standard. It lists documents that can be combined as identification, including a passport, driving licence, birth certificate, utility bills and bank statements. Check the booklet for the full list and bring the documents that apply to you.

If a doctor other than your own GP is completing the medical, take a copy of your prescription as directed in the booklet. If you wear glasses for driving, the vision assessment uses the prescription you currently wear. When arranging the appointment, check that the professional can measure visual acuity using the required Snellen chart and confirm your glasses prescription where needed.

You will need to complete the sections of the form assigned to you. Before sending your application, check that the report is complete and that the D4, application and licence are sent together as instructed. This small check can help avoid a return for missing information or a processing delay.

Can I drive while DVLA processes my renewal?

If your licence expires while DVLA is processing your application, you may be able to continue driving, but only if you meet every condition that applies. Do not assume that sending the renewal automatically lets you drive.

For drivers aged 45 or over, GOV.UK lists conditions including having had a valid licence, driving only under the conditions of your previous licence, having an application less than a year old, and not being currently disqualified. You must also meet the medical-related conditions, including not having been told by your doctor or optician that you should not drive, and your last licence must not have been revoked or refused for medical reasons. There are further conditions, including restrictions relating to high-risk offender disqualification.

Read the complete DVLA renewal guidance for drivers aged 45 or overGOV.UK and the guide to driving while an application is with DVLAGOV.UK. If you are unsure whether every condition applies to you, confirm your position with DVLA before driving.

What if I am over 65?

The usual Group 2 renewal and D4 cycle becomes annual from age 65. Each application needs medical confirmation of satisfactory fitness to drive. This is a renewal requirement; age by itself does not describe an individual’s fitness. DVLA’s guidance for health professionals says older age is not necessarily a barrier to driving and that functional ability is important in assessments.

If your forms do not arrive or you are unsure which application applies, contact DVLA and check the instructions for your entitlement. A D4 appointment cannot promise that DVLA will issue a licence. DVLA makes that decision after considering the application.

Arrange an HGV medical

If DVLA has asked you to provide a D4, SWDM can help you arrange an HGV medical appointment. Bring your current paperwork and the documents listed in the INF4D booklet. If you are uncertain whether you need a D4 or which entitlement is being renewed, check with DVLA before booking.

Read the current D4 and INF4D information on GOV.UKGOV.UK, or see SWDM’s HGV medical appointments. You can also browse the full list of services or contact the clinic through /contact.

Our Medical Team

Driver medical appointments

South Wales Driver Medicals offers driver medical appointments for HGV, PCV, LGV and taxi drivers. Contact the clinic for information about the clinician conducting your appointment and the requirements for your form.

Sources

Sources

1. gov.ukRenew or change a lorry or bus licence(accessed 2026-10-05)
2. gov.ukRenew or change a lorry or bus licence: If you’re 45 or over(accessed 2026-10-05)
3. gov.ukMedical examination report for a lorry or bus driving licence (D4), including INF4D information and useful notes(accessed 2026-10-05)
4. gov.ukMiscellaneous conditions: assessing fitness to drive(accessed 2026-10-05)
5. gov.ukCan I drive while my application is with DVLA? (INF188/6)(accessed 2026-10-05)

This guide is for information only. It is not medical advice. Speak to your GP if you have concerns.