Taxi License

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    Heart tests for private hire drivers

    At Hampshire Cardiology we offer heart tests for the purposes of taxi re-licensing for all local authorities including Transport for London (TFL).

    If you hold a taxi licence and have a pre-existing or new heart condition your local authority usually requires a medical assessment and heart tests by a cardiologist before your licence can be reinstated. This usually applies if you have had a heart attack, angina or heart failure. We appreciate that tests can be expensive but we are confident that we offer the most competitive rates for drivers with reports usually available within a few days of testing.

    DVLA Group 2 requirements by licensing authorities

    Following a heart attack, the taxi licensing renewal guidelines require drivers to have an exercise ECG using a standard Bruce protocol. These are the same standards that apply to bus and HGV drivers by the DVLA. This test may also apply to new drivers with a heart condition who need to prove their fitness to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle.

    Standards required for drivers with a history of heart disease

    Drivers who have heart problems will need to pass one or more of the tests specified below in order to continue to drive. The types of heart problems that commonly require testing of this sort are:

    • Heart attack, angina with or without coronary stent insertion
    • Heart failure (weakness of the heart muscle)
    • Heart valve problems

    The requirements for testing following a heart attack are:

    • Testing must take place a minimum of 6 weeks after the heart attack
    • Drivers must be free of angina for 6 weeks
    • Pass a 9 minute Bruce protocol treadmill exercise test (see below)
    • An echocardiogram may also be required to assess left ventricular function

    For drivers who have had an angioplasty or coronary stent procedure:

    • Testing can take place a minimum of 6 weeks after the procedure
    • Drivers must be free of angina for 6 weeks
    • Pass a 9 minute Bruce protocol treadmill exercise test (see below)

    For drivers who have had coronary bypass surgery (CABG)

    • Testing can take place a minimum of 3 months after the operation
    • Drivers must be free of angina for 6 weeks
    • Pass a 9 minute Bruce protocol treadmill exercise test (see below)
    • Have an echocardiogram to demonstrate that the ejection fraction (pumping efficiency) is at least 40%

    Bruce Protocol Exercise ECG test

    This heart test involves walking on a treadmill for three 3-minute stages at a progressively steeper incline. Your ECG and blood pressure are monitored throughout the test. You will need to complete all 3 stages for a total of 9 minutes in order to pass the test with no symptoms or ECG changes during or after the test. For most people, this is easily done because the speed and incline of the treadmill is equivalent to that of a brisk walk up a slight hill. Immediately after the test your heart rate and blood pressure are closely monitored until it returns to normal.

    Test Fee and consultation: £450

    Stress echocardiogram

    For some drivers, an exercise stress echocardiogram is required. This is a combination of an exercise ECG and an echocardiogram. The 9 minutes of a standard Bruce protocol is not applicable here because an ultrasound is used to examine the heart and to determine if the blood supply to the heart is compromised in any way. Drivers must walk on a treadmill until they reach their peak exercise capacity. The treadmill is then stopped and the driver is placed on an examination couch in order to scan the heart. If a driver has failed a Bruce Protocol treadmill test then an exercise stress echocardiogram is a possible alternative test in order to regain a licence. In addition, this test may be required if a driver’s ECG shows a bundle branch block pattern.

    Test Fee: Price on enquiry

    Echocardiogram

    An echocardiogram is an ultrasound study of the heart function and valves and involves a probe pressed onto the chest wall. If you have had a heart attack it is a useful test to determine how much damage the heart has sustained. If you have heart failure an echocardiogram may be required (but not in most cases) to ensure your ejection fraction (a measure of heart function) is at least 40% or greater. An echocardiogram is required for all drivers after coronary bypass surgery (CABG).

    Test Fee and consultation: £470