How Long Does an HGV Driver Licence Last?
A Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence doesn’t technically expire, but you need to renew it every 5 years. It’s important to note that once you reach a certain age, there are a number of things that affect the validity of your licence too.
Here’s all the information you need regarding the validity of your HGV licence and renewals.
How Often Do You Need to Renew HGV Driver Licences?
The requirements for renewing your HGV driver licence depends on your age.
If you are under 45 years old, you must renew your licence every 5 years. DVLA will send you a D47PU form from 56 days before you licence runs out which you need to complete and update your photo/name if necessary.
If you are over 45 years old, you will also need to renew your licence every 5 years. DVLA will send you a D47P form to complete as well as a D4 which is a medical examination report.
If you are over 65 years old, you will need to renew your licence every year by completing the D47P form and D4 report. As well as this, you must complete 35 hours of training every 5 years in order to keep your Driver CPC.
What Affects the Validity of an HGV Driver Licence?
After a certain age, an HGV driver licence will only remain valid if medical examinations are undertaken and a CPC is maintained.
The required health standards must be met by drivers in order for them to stay safe on the roads which is why medical examinations are required and why the frequency increases with age.
Regulations and best practices must always be followed on the roads to also ensure safety which is why a valid Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is required. Regular training modules help keep drivers updated and confident on their journeys.
If you fail to meet these requirements, your HGV licence will be invalid so you will not be able to drive HGV vehicles. Reinstating your invalid licence is possible by completing and passing a medical assessment and applying for a new licence.
What Happens If I Don’t Renew My Licence?
You must renew your licence within 2 years after it has expired otherwise you will have to apply for a new licence. The DVLA will notify you before your licence expires, so you will have plenty of time.
It’s important for all HGV drivers, whether you’re experienced, new or subcontracting, to understand the process behind obtaining and renewing your driving licence. By staying informed, you are remaining compliant and safe on the roads.
At Transmode, we always take the utmost care to make sure our drivers are safe on the roads, so your cargo reaches its destination in the best condition and on time. Get in touch with us today to get your goods from A to B safely and securely.