Understanding Common Taxi Medical Fails
Navigating the world of taxi driver medicals can be challenging, and common pitfalls can often lead to unnecessary delays or rejections. Our medical assessments, mandated by most councils (including Wolverhampton City council, Manchester Council, Tameside Council, Sefton Council, Liverpool Council, Wigan Council and more), adhere strictly to Group 2 medical standards, ensuring that drivers meet the stringent health and safety requirements needed for public service vehicle operators. We provide detailed guidance for doctors conducting these medicals, which can be accessed here.
If you have any questions regarding specific conditions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you through every step of the process. You can call our team on 0161 241 9622 or visit our taxi page here
Top 4 conditions that result in failing your Taxi Medical
1.High Blood Pressure
What is the cut off for BP in a taxi medical?
High blood pressure is a frequent cause for a taxi medical fail. The absolute blood pressure cut off is 180/100. Anything above (and including) 180/100 on the day of your assessment will result in your failing your taxi medical.
This doesn’t mean that you won’t ever be able to drive a taxi, it just means you need to visit your doctor and have the BP lowered before returning for another taxi medical. The GP will usually prescribe medication to assist with lowering your blood pressure.
How can I prepare for my taxi medical if I have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can be exacerbated by stress, diet, and lifestyle choices. To prepare, drivers should monitor their blood pressure at home and document consistent readings. Bringing photos or videos of these home readings can help provide context during the examination. Additionally, taking prescribed blood pressure medication regularly is crucial. On the day of your appointment, avoid stimulants such as coffee and nicotine, as they can temporarily elevate your blood pressure. If you experience “white coat hypertension,” where your blood pressure spikes in medical settings, having a history of normal readings can be beneficial. Ensuring your blood pressure is well-managed will increase your chances of passing the taxi medical.
A table like the one below can be helpful to record your blood pressure readings.
2.Cardiac Issues
Can I drive a taxi with heart issues?
Cardiac issues, such as heart failure, angina or a history of a heart attacks within the last five years, can be significant hurdles in passing your taxi/ private hire medical. To address this, comprehensive documentation is essential. Bring all cardiology letters, including details of any discharge, follow-up appointments, echocardiograms, and exercise tolerance tests (ETT). If you haven’t had an ETT, you might need to arrange one privately.
Will you be able to help with my taxi medical if I have had previous heart issues?
Contact us for more information on how to get this done. Being thorough with your medical history allows the examining doctor to have a complete understanding of your heart health. This can prevent any surprises during your taxi medical, thereby reducing the risk of a taxi medical fail. Keeping your heart condition well-managed and documented ensures a smoother medical examination process.
3.Poor Eyesight
What level of sight is required to pass a taxi medical?
Poor eyesight is another common reason for failing a private hire/ taxi medical. The medical standards require a visual acuity of at least 6/7.5 in one eye and 6/60 in the other eye. Failing to meet these criteria can disqualify you from driving a taxi. To avoid this, ensure you have an up-to-date eye examination before your medical.
How can I prepare for my taxi medical in regards to my vision?
Bring your glasses or contact lenses to the appointment, as they can be crucial in achieving the required vision standards. If you are concerned about your eyesight, visiting an optician before your medical can help you identify any issues and take corrective measures. Remember, the taxi medical will include an eye test, so being prepared is essential. Properly managing your vision health can prevent a taxi medical fail and ensure you remain qualified to drive.
Can I drive a taxi/pass a taxi medical with one eye?
Unfortunately, as the standards require at least 6/60 in the worse eye, this means that vision less than this or no vision will be an automatic fail. This standard is for corrected vision.This means you can wear glasses/contacts to meet this standard. Your opticians may be able to assist regarding this.
4.Diabetes
Can I pass my taxi medical with diabetes?
Diabetes is another critical factor that can lead to a taxi medical fail, especially if not properly managed. Although most people with diabetes will be absolutely fine and won’t require any readings, Certain diabetes medications, such as gliclazide and glimepiride, require rigorous blood sugar monitoring. For these medications, It’s essential to provide your doctor with 4-6 weeks of blood sugar readings. Without access to these readings, an automatic fail is likely.
How can I prepare for my taxi medical with Gliclazide?
Ensure your readings are consistent and within the recommended range by monitoring your blood sugar levels twice daily. Proper management of diabetes not only helps you pass your taxi medical but also maintains your overall health. Carry all necessary documentation, including your medication list and recent blood sugar logs, to your medical examination. This preparation shows that you are actively managing your condition, thereby increasing your chances of passing the taxi medical.
The doctor will need to go through your BM machine in order to pass your taxi medical.
Can I pass my taxi medical if I take Metformin?
Please note, metformin will not affect your taxi medical and you will not require any blood sugar readings.
Can I pass my taxi medical if I take Insulin?
Drivers taking insulin can still pass there taxi medical in theory, but require rigiourous reviews of their BM machine as well as favorable letters to highlight optimum blood sugar control from their doctors/ consultants. At Motor Medicals we are unable to complete taxi medicals for drivers taking insulin. Your best bet is to speak to your GP
Motor Medicals – Your #1 Taxi Medical solution.
If your require any further advice regarding the information mentioned above, or require other advice, please free to contact our team on 0161 241 9622. We work closely with local councils to ensure we have access to up to date guidance, assisting you to the best of our ability.
We work closely with local councils inc Oldham City Council, Tameside Council, Stoke on Trent Council, Solihull Council, Telford Council and hundreds more, so should you require further medical advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Here at Motor Medicals, we charge only £53 for our taxi medicals and operate in over 30 clinics nationwide. We ensure the price is competitive, locations are suitable and finally, working closely with local councils means your medical is completed and verified hassle free.
