South East · driver medicals

Taxi driver medical in Medway

Which doctor Medway will accept, how often you have to repeat it and which form they want. Councils disagree with each other on every one of those, so this is Medway’s answer and nobody else’s.

What Medway requires

• “Except for in extenuating circumstances as determined by the Council, medical reports must be less than 3 months old at the date of application and will ordinarily be accepted as valid for a period of three years from the date on which they were carried out for licence holders up to the age of 65 unless, in the opinion of the examining medical practitioner, more frequent assessments are required”
• How long it lasts: Must be less than 3 months old AT THE DATE OF APPLICATION (not the grant date - no grant-date trap here). Once accepted, the report is 'ordinarily... accepted as valid for a period of three years from the date on which they were carried out' for drivers up to 65
• How often: Every 3 years (with each 3-yearly renewal) up to age 65; annually for all drivers aged 65 and over. The examining medical practitioner may require more frequent assessments. No upper age limit on licensing
• Form: DVLA D4 medical examination report, PLUS a separate council 'Medical practitioners declaration' confirming the doctor has access to the applicant's medical records and whether the applicant meets DVLA Group 2 Medical Standards
• Possible exemption: NOT a full exemption, but a notable concession: an existing completed Group 2 medical report held by a current PCV, LGV or other-council taxi/PHV driver licence holder will be accepted in place of a fresh examination, provided it is under 3 months old at the date of application and to Group 2 standard. Holding the PCV/LGV licence alone does not remove the medical requirement

Taken from Medway Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2026-31, section 3.10 Medical Examination. Rules change and councils rewrite their pages without notice, so confirm before you book and pay. If something here is wrong please say and I will check it against the council and fix it.

How Medway compares

Of the 315 UK licensing areas checked so far, Medway is one of 105 taking that line, which is the most common arrangement in the country.

Who may sign it in nearby areas

Neighbouring authorities do not follow each other on this, and a certificate accepted in one is regularly refused in the next. Check the area whose badge you actually hold.

Licensing area	Who can carry out the medical
Gravesham	Your own GP, or a doctor with your records
Castle Point	Only a provider the council names
Southend-on-Sea	Any registered doctor with your records
Basildon	Only a provider the council names
Thurrock	The council does not say
Rochford	Only a provider the council names
Swale	Any registered doctor with your records
Dartford	Any registered doctor with your records
Maidstone	Your own GP only
Tonbridge and Malling	The council does not say
Canterbury	Any registered doctor with your records
Dover	Your own GP, or a doctor with your records

What it costs to be licensed in Medway

The medical is one bill among several. See what Medway charges for the driver, vehicle and operator licences, taken from the same published sources.

Every line above is taken from Medway’s own published guidance and read by hand against that source. Nothing here is from trade press, a forum or an estimate. This is not medical or legal advice.

← Medical rules for every UK licensing area