Content updated June 2024
In the UK, HGV drivers must pass a HGV medical examination in order to drive a heavy goods vehicle on a public road. This process involves filling out a D4 medical drivers form, which assesses your physical and mental health to check you are able to perform this role safely.
HGV medicals are a legal requirement to keep roads safe. Driving HGVs for prolonged periods can be hazardous. This medical check is an important way of reducing the chance of losing control of the vehicle.
They are not designed to catch you out or create an unfair barrier to entry for the job. However, if you aren’t physically or mentally fit enough for the demands of the work it is possible to fail a HGV medical.
In this post, we’re going to look at some of the reasons you may fail an HGV medical as well as answer some commonly asked questions about important health factors.
What does an HGV medical involve?
An HGV medical exam will assess both your physical and mental health. It is carried out by a combination of a physical examination, medical tests, and looking at your medical history. You can find out more about the specifics of our own HGV medical test process on our HGV medical page.
It is vital that you disclose any and all existing medical conditions at your HGV medical examination. This check is about protecting you and other public road users – you will only fail if you pose a genuine risk.
What physical conditions can cause you to fail a HGV medical?
The bulk of an HGV medical test is checking if you are in reasonably good health physically. This will be done through a physical examination and also by discussing your medical history and current concerns. The following medical conditions will need to be ruled out (or shown to be managed) in order for you to pass.
Neurological Problems:
Any medical condition that affects your brain will impact your ability to drive safely. As well as carrying out a physical examination, your doctor will ask questions related to the following DVLA neurological conditions to assess your suitability to drive HGVs:
- Cognitive impairment
- Epilepsy
- Transient loss of consciousness, otherwise known as blackouts
- Narcolepsy & sleep disorders
- Multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease (essentially any neurologic disorder which may affect sufficient vehicle control)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Unprovoked episodes of dizziness
- Strokes
- Acute encephalitic illnesses which are associated with seizures
- Brain tumours
- Prior brain surgery
- Memory problems
- Or any other chronic neurological condition
Find a full guide on advice for drivers on neurological disorders here.
Heart Conditions:
Certain heart conditions and issues can cause you to unexpectedly lose concentration or even consciousness, causing a risk to your safety and that of other road users. You’ll be asked about and tested for any of the following issues as part of your HGV medical check.
- Heart attack or heart failure
- Stroke
- Coronary bypass surgery
- Pacemaker implant
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Can you pass an HGV medical assessment if you have diabetes?
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes you will be aware of the risks it can pose if it is not managed.
This doesn’t mean you automatically fail an HGV medical examination if you suffer from diabetes, but you will need to show that you’re able to control and manage your condition so that it doesn’t put you (or other road users) at risk as a professional driver.
Do you get drug tested on a HGV medical?
It is against the law to operate a HGV under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. As well as including specific alcohol and drug test, your doctor will look for signs of drug abuse or alcoholism during your medical examination.
It is important to note that if you are an alcoholic, or are regularly using recreational drugs, it is highly unlikely that you will pass your HGV medical exam. This will prevent you from obtaining your HGV drivers licence.
If you have been sober for a prolonged period, this is different but you may need to speak to your doctor to discuss your condition.
Can you fail an HGV medical with high blood pressure?
To pass an HGV medical test your blood pressure must be below 180/100mmHg. If it is consistently higher than that you will fail the test.
180/100 means that your systolic blood pressure (the pressure against your arteries when your heart pumps blood) does not exceed 179, while your diastolic (pressure when your heart relaxes between beats) doesn’t go above 99.
If your blood pressure is too high you can go into a hypertensive crisis, especially if it stays high for a prolonged period. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke, and can also cause symptoms that will leave you at risk while driving. Anxiety, blurred vision, chest pain, confusion and seizures can all occur as a result of hypertension and they can all leave you unable to drive safely.
How good does your eyesight need to be for an HGV medical test?
You must have 0.8 (6/7.5) vision in your best eye and 0.1 (6/60) in your worst eye (using the Snellen scale) to hold an HGV licence.
This can be with corrective eyewear such as glasses or contact lenses. However, if you wear glasses they must not be stronger than +8 dioptres.
As well as checking your clarity and strength of vision, your field of vision will also be tested. You’ll need a horizontal field of at least 160 degrees, extending 70 degrees in either direction, plus 30 degrees up and down. This is the standard field of vision.
An HGV medical eye test is very similar to a standard eye test and is unlikely to pick on any vision issues you weren’t already aware of.
Is your mental health checked during an HGV medical?
It’s not only your physical health that will be checked with an HGV medical test. You’ll also need to be mentally fit.
One study by the mental health charity MIND revealed that upwards of 30% of work-related illnesses reported in the transport and logistics industry are due to stress, depression and anxiety. This is likely due to loneliness, plus the long, unsociable hours of the role which makes it important to check you are able to deal with the demands of the job mentally as well as physically.
To address your mental health, you will be asked a number of questions about the subject. As with all aspects of your HGV medical, it is vital you answer honestly to keep your assessment accurate.
As with many medical issues, having a mental health condition does not mean you automatically fail your HGV medical. But you will need to show that you are currently managing it and that this is unlikely to change.
Book an HGV Medical Exam
New and existing lorry drivers are required to take an HGV medical every 5 years, in line with their HGV licence renewal. Here at David Barber Occupational Health, we offer HGV drivers a comprehensive HGV medical test in line with government/DVLA regulations. Whether you are a new HGV driver or returning HGV driver, we will ensure your test is fully completed to accompany your HGV driving licence. You can also find out more about the HGV D4 form on our website.