Lose C1 & D1 categories if licence renewed online?

thenudeone

My licence photo expires shortly.
I passed my test before 1997 and so have groups C1 and D1 (not for hire & reward) on my licence.

I need category D1 for some voluntary work that I do.

When I looked at the government websites a few months ago, it was clearly states (IIRC) that if you renewed your photo licence online, you would lose these additional entitlements; and that the only way to keep the entitlements would be to complete some form of medical (not sure if it was a self-questionaire or a formal medical by a doctor).

The current web page about renewing photos doesn't mention this at all. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_078070
I've tried to find the earlier versions of the web page using web archives, but without success.

This page seems to suggest that a medical is required to keep minibus entitlement http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022498
"Your minibus entitlement will remain valid in the United Kingdom until your licence is next renewed".
Does renewing the photo count as a "renewed" licence, or do they mean renewal at age 70?

This leaflet dated January 2012 suggests that the category will remain until age 70.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_4011275.pdf

It's already been established on this forum that based on legislation, your entitlement to drive lasts until your 70th birthday, and NOT the date that your photo expires.
If they are removing existing entitlements upon photo renewal, how can they legally remove an entitlement to drive before the 70th birthday?
And how can they justify someone with a paper licence being allowed to drive minibuses etc until they are 70, but someone with a renewed photocard can't?

A similar problem regarding trailer entitlement has been discussed elsewhere on the net (without apparent resolution)
http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121078

If I renew without completing the medical form, would C1 and D1 categories be taken away? Has anyone had this happen to them?

Has anyone been asked to complete a medical or extra form to keep C1 or D1?

Thanks for any input

[EDIT: The page I saw originally may have been this one regarding renewing at age 70, which does state that C1 and D1 will be lost at age 70 without a medical http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_4022086 but I would still appreciate any input, because it's not crystal clear either way]

Rover_Driver

Unless it is a short term one, your licence is valid until you are 70, as you passed your test before 1997 you keep your C1 & D1 until then.
If you renew your licence at 70, and want to keep the minibus entitlement, that is when you will have to apply for it and have a medical.

You renew the photo not the licence every 10 years. Renewing the photo has no effect on your licence itself or the entitlements. (although DVLA have been known to 'lose' some entitlements and say you never had them in the first place!!!)

Joe_Horner

Not sure about photo renewal but I just got a new one online for a change of address and all categories stayed on - even my Cat C that expires in about 4 weeks anyway.

Rolandtheroadie

Renewed mines in the past week or so and still have D1, D1E, C1 and C1E on it.
Done at the post office (who do it on the computer) and never filled in anything else.