DRIVERS MEDICALS NEW PROCEDURES

The Licensing Board have introduced new procedures for Priavte Hire and Taxi Drives medical examinations, which are required for all new drivers and then on renewal due to age or health of current drivers. The new procedures will come in to force for any driver that needs a medical prior to their renewal appliation from 16th June 2010. All Drivers who recieve a renewal application after 16th May for the 15th June will receive the information below if they require a medical prior to renewal.

I have tried to up load the list of doctors, but it hasn not worked correctly, There are 11 doctors that have signed up to offer the service on behalf the Council. The Licensing Section contact all Sheffield Medical Centres and GP Surgeries, through the Local Medical COmmittee, the 11 listed are the only Doctors that have signed up to provide the service, and are the only doctors that drivers must use for the Medical Examinations.


You may or may not be aware that the Licensing Board has changed the Policy on Driver Medical Examinations. They have now opened the choice of doctors available to you. This means that there has had to be a change in the way that the medicals will have to be administered.

If you have this information, you will have received an application form that states you require a medical prior to the renewal of your licence. Please make your application as soon as you can as a licence WILL NOT be issued unless a medical certificate of fitness is received. If your current licence expires prior to a medical certificate being presented then you will not be issued with a licence until such time as the certificate is provided.

HOW TO BOOK A MEDICAL

The major change to the administration is that you will be free to choose a doctor, from the list provided, to undertake your examination.

YOU will be responsible for booking your medical, through your chosen doctor.

When you submit your licence application with the appropriate fee and documentation to the licensing Section, you will be given the following details:

1. Copies of your previous medical examinations (if you have any)

2. Sheffield City Council’s taxi driver medical form,

3. A list of all the doctors/medical centres, booking details and charges.

You will then need to make the arrangements for your own medical.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE DOCTORS


The doctor will ask you for identification. We have agreed that this should be:

· your drivers licence if you have a photo card, if not some other form of photographic id (passport etc) and,

· your current private hire and hackney carriage drivers badge.


You will also need to give the doctor the medical form and any previous medical history supplied to you when you made the application to the licensing section.


IF YOU PASS THE MEDICAL


If you pass the medical the Doctor will return to you your new medical certificate and any previous medical forms that you supplied.


You will then have to take this information to the Licensing Section. You should allow at least three working days for the section to complete the administration process and produce your licence.

IF YOU FAIL THE MEDICAL

The doctor will explain the reason(s) why you have failed the medical and will retain all your papers. These will then be returned securely to the Licensing Section. You must be aware that the Licensing Section CANNOT issue your drivers licence if you fail this medical.


In some circumstances the doctor may require information from other sources such as consultants or your own GP. If this is the case, the doctor will withhold your notes and certificate, and inform you of what is then required.

If this happens, the doctor holding your notes and certificate will be the only doctor able to pass you medically fit.


WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS TO APPEAL DECISIONS

If you fail a medical the Licensing Section CANNOT issue a licence to you.


The standard of fitness required (DVLA Group II medical standard) has been set by the Licensing Board. The doctor must fail you if you do not reach that standard or if you have an illness that prohibits you under the guidelines of the DVLA Group II medicals.

If you fail your application on medical grounds and wish to contest the results you must apply in writing for your application to be determined by the Licensing Board.


The Licensing Section will arrange a Board hearing and you will be informed in writing along with a full copy of the report to the Board within 7 days of the date of the hearing.

_____________________________________________________________


If you require any further information about medicals please contact the Taxi Licensing Section on 2734005 or email at taxi.licensing@sheffield.gov.uk