HGV license after valve replacement?

[lmo90]

Hi all,

So a year and a half ago I had valve replacement surgery where I had a mechanical valve fitted.

Im on a couple of different meds like warfarin and some beta blockers.

But I'm back to 100% now and I'm looking at getting my HGV license as I'm pretty young and it's something I've always wanted to do.

I'm waiting on appointment with my GP so I can discuss this with them but does anyone have any experience with this, would I be allowed to drive HGVs? I can't see why not as I'm not a risk anymore as they've fixed me, but just looking for any info people can give me. The government website isn't very helpful, just says I need to fill a VOCH1 in and send it off to DVLA but thats if I already have the license which I don't yet.

Thanks!

[Hidden]

Why not talk to the DVLA and explain your circumstances and see what they say.

[xrwinger]

Hi, I had a tissue aortic valve replacement in 2002 age 45 and was required to hand in my HGV license but allowed to keep my car license. I was told that it was ok to drive a car after 3 months, I think providing I could turn my head ok, but I had to apply to have my HGV license returned. All it took, as far as I remember, is a medical and it was returned. The only meds I was on was a small aspirin and a statin. If the regs. have not changed I would have thought that getting your HGV back would be straight forward.

Good luck with everything

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I think you should bee able to get an HGV licence. It is not uncommon for those with heart conditions or have had surgery to be asked to complete an exercise (treadmill or exercise bike) and have an echocardiogram to check LVF and EF. I know the DVLA pay for these on renewals but am not certain about first timers. The two tests should only cost about £600. As Hidden says talk to the DVLA. They were extremely helpful post-amputation.

[BC-10]

Well - I can only relate to you my experience in trying to obtain a LGV (was HGV) license in the UK.

I had atrial fibrillation diagnosed in around 1997 at the age of 29, I had suffered with bouts of this from the age of 12 and even before this as a child had some strange heart symptoms.

I was given Sotalol and warfarin by the cardiologists and basically told to get on with things. I felt ok most of the time so I attempted to get a provisional HGV license to start a career in that area.

After the GP medical (nice easy cash) my doctor said I’ll be very lucky to get a provisional. After sending off the completed application to DVLA they sent another letter asking for more information.

They contacted my cardiologist. He told them that in his opinion, it would be generally safe BUT I would need regular checkups on a yearly basis etc in order to keep things in check and up to date so that should my condition get worse (it did) they could reconsider my license.

So - I was given a provisional provisional so to speak. It was a temporary licence to allow me to learn to get the full licence which IF I passed, I would have to have it reviewed every year.

Ok - not so bad I thought. At least it’ll get me a HGV licence.

BUT - here’s the catch. Because it was temporary and always would be, the likelihood would be that NO COMPANY WOULD EVER CONSIDER EMPLOYING ME BECAUSE I WAS TOO MUCH OF A LIABILITY. Not only that, every year I would have had to redo my medical, have everything checked out again etc etc etc.

I had a good friend at the time who ran his own Bus and Haulage company. He told me he would definitely NOT take me on. His opinion was that I could fall ill at any time and he would have to pick the pieces up so to speak.

BUT - in saying that, this was over 25 years ago so I have no idea what the situation is like now and also because you have been “fixed”. However, I do suspect that further info might be needed after your initial GP medical.

Incidentally, in my situation, not so long after my application, my condition got so bad that I was virtually unable to even drive a car let alone a big goods vehicle. So it would never have got off the ground for me.

I wish you well and hope it all goes good for you. Kindest regards.

[lmo90]

Hi all,

Just an update as it's been so long, but I can confirm that I did pass my medical for my HGV provisional, but the hospital did want to run another ultrasound on my heart to make sure it was all good but it was.

I have now since passed my HGV exams and I start my new job on the lorries in a few weeks! I wasn't asked about any medical conditions when I went for my interview so I didn't disclose it, not because I was trying to hide but because I wasn't asked and I kind of forget I have the mechanical valve now, but yeah as I'm all fixed theres nothing really to disclose as nothing affects my life any differently now, I just take tablets that don't affect driving and that's it.

Cheers all!