Return to HGV driving
Check what you need to do to return to driving a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) after a break from the role.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
What you need to do to return to driving an HGV after a break depends on:
- how old you are
- when you originally got your full lorry driving licence
Renew your lorry driving licence
If your lorry driving licence has run out, you’ll need to renew it. The way you do this depends on how old you are.
If you’re under 45
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Order the D2 form pack from DVLA.
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Complete form D47PU from the pack.
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Send it to DVLA along with your current licence.
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BR
If you need to change the photo
Your application form will tell you if a photo is needed with your application.
If so, you’ll need to include a new passport type photo.
If your name has changed
If your name has changed you’ll also need to send original documentation confirming your change of name.
If you have a paper driving licence
If you have a paper driving licence you’ll also need to send:
- original documentation confirming your identity
- a passport type photo
If you’re 45 or over
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Order the D2/D4 form pack from DVLA.
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Complete form D47P from the pack.
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Ask a doctor to complete the medical examination report (form D4). You can ask an optometrist or an optician to fill in the vision assessment section if your doctor cannot complete the whole report. The doctor, optician or optometrist will normally charge for this.
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Send the completed forms to DVLA.
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BR
If you cannot get a medical appointment
You may be able to get a 1-year licence without a medical examination report form (D4) if all of the following apply:
- you have tried but have not been able to get an appointment with a doctor
- your lorry driving licence expires after 1 January 2020
- you have not already been issued a 1-year licence in this scheme
- you have not had your licence automatically extended for 11 months
Check the DVLA guidance about the temporary scheme for more information.
If you need to change the photo
Your application form will tell you if a photo is needed with your application.
If so, you’ll need to include a new passport type photo.
If your name has changed
If your name has changed you’ll also need to send original documentation confirming your change of name.
If you have a paper driving licence
If you have a paper driving licence you’ll also need to send:
- original documentation confirming your identity
- a passport type photo
Bring your Driver CPC up to date
You must have the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification to drive for a living. You have to take 35 hours of training every 5 years to keep it.
You have the initial Driver CPC qualification if either:
- you got your lorry driving licence before 10 September 2009 – this is because you have ‘acquired rights’ to the qualification, even though you did not take the initial qualification tests
- you got your lorry driving licence from 10 September 2009 by passing the 4 Driver CPC tests
What you need to do next depends on when you got your licence.
If you got your licence before 10 September 2009
If you got your licence before 10 September 2009, you can either:
- complete 35 hours of Driver CPC training by finding and taking training courses
- take and pass the Driver CPC part 2 (case studies) and part 4 (practical demonstration) tests
If you’ve already taken these tests as a way of keeping your Driver CPC up to date, you cannot take them again. You must take 35 hours of training instead.
Some employers offer help with the cost of training and tests.
Booking the tests
You have to book the tests by phone - you cannot book online.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency customer services
Telephone: 0300 200 1122
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (Driver CPC part 2 - choose option 01)
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (Driver CPC part 4 - choose option 02)
Find out about call charges
If you got your licence from 10 September 2009
You need to complete 35 hours of Driver CPC training.
Any training you’ve done in the last 5 years counts towards the total. The training counts for 5 years from the date you took the course.
Some employers offer help with the cost of training.
After you’ve completed your training or tests
Your new Driver CPC card will be sent to the address on your driving licence when you’ve completed your training or tests.
If you needed to take training
If you needed to take training, you can still drive professionally while waiting for your card if both of the following apply:
- you’ve done your periodic training
- your training provider has recorded the training (they must do this within 5 working days of the training ending)
If you took the tests
You can still drive professionally while waiting for your Driver CPC card when you’ve passed the tests.