Class 2 Run-down
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Worcester
Class 2 Run-down
As there has not been something like this on here for a while, just thought I'd share with you my experience of going for the CAA class two medical examination. It is worth stressing that unlike class 1, the exam can be done by any approved AME, and not all of the forms on the CAA website have to completed.
I arrived at the surgery for mine and the first thing I did was fill in the actual application form. The AME then quickly looked at it, and I gave him the form with my glasses/contact lens prescription on. A quick glance and a reply of "short-sighted but fine" then lead to him putting his signature on the form, and then telling me "strip down to my underpants!!" Not exactly what I expected.
Lay on the bed anyway where he started by feeling all around my neck and collar bones. He then put his hand over each of my ears and each time asked if I could still hear him (no audiogram for class 2). Then he told me to relax my stomach and squeezed it in several places-wasn't quite sure what he was checking for here though, then took my blood pressure and took my pulse on different parts of my body. Finally he did the usual stuff with his stethoscope just asking me to breath in and out through my mouth each time. Whilst I was lay on the bed he then did my ECG. Before I got dressed again he just took my height and my weight.
Fortunately I then got my clothes back on!! Then it was the eyesight tests. I had my contact lenses already in, and he shone a green light into each eye to check the fitting of the lenses and also the retinas. Then it was just the bog standard reading the letters off the chart with each eye. I fortunately, with lenses and glasses was able to read the smallest print. After that he did a field of vision test which was followed by the colour-blindness test.
Then it was on to the blood test. Just used a needle that diabetics use to prick my finger to take a sample to see how much haemoglobin was in my blood. While the machine took the reading he gave me the peak flow and asked me to blow into it to record the volume of my lungs.
Finally the bit I didn't like-the urine sample!! Won't dwell on it, but has to be done to check there is no sugar (diabetes), protein (abnormal kidney function) or blood present.
After that, the remaining time was just spent putting my details into his computer, along with the various readings from all the tests, then the certificate was printed. On the whole it took less than an hour. Then just the small matter of payment: AME fees vary, but I was lucky to have got it for half price as I am still a student!!
Hope that helps to give people a clearer picture of what to expect. The AMEs are really nice people who want to pass, not fail you. I was a bit apprehensive at the start having never had one or two of the tests, but he reassured me it's purely routine.
I arrived at the surgery for mine and the first thing I did was fill in the actual application form. The AME then quickly looked at it, and I gave him the form with my glasses/contact lens prescription on. A quick glance and a reply of "short-sighted but fine" then lead to him putting his signature on the form, and then telling me "strip down to my underpants!!" Not exactly what I expected.
Lay on the bed anyway where he started by feeling all around my neck and collar bones. He then put his hand over each of my ears and each time asked if I could still hear him (no audiogram for class 2). Then he told me to relax my stomach and squeezed it in several places-wasn't quite sure what he was checking for here though, then took my blood pressure and took my pulse on different parts of my body. Finally he did the usual stuff with his stethoscope just asking me to breath in and out through my mouth each time. Whilst I was lay on the bed he then did my ECG. Before I got dressed again he just took my height and my weight.
Fortunately I then got my clothes back on!! Then it was the eyesight tests. I had my contact lenses already in, and he shone a green light into each eye to check the fitting of the lenses and also the retinas. Then it was just the bog standard reading the letters off the chart with each eye. I fortunately, with lenses and glasses was able to read the smallest print. After that he did a field of vision test which was followed by the colour-blindness test.
Then it was on to the blood test. Just used a needle that diabetics use to prick my finger to take a sample to see how much haemoglobin was in my blood. While the machine took the reading he gave me the peak flow and asked me to blow into it to record the volume of my lungs.
Finally the bit I didn't like-the urine sample!! Won't dwell on it, but has to be done to check there is no sugar (diabetes), protein (abnormal kidney function) or blood present.
After that, the remaining time was just spent putting my details into his computer, along with the various readings from all the tests, then the certificate was printed. On the whole it took less than an hour. Then just the small matter of payment: AME fees vary, but I was lucky to have got it for half price as I am still a student!!
Hope that helps to give people a clearer picture of what to expect. The AMEs are really nice people who want to pass, not fail you. I was a bit apprehensive at the start having never had one or two of the tests, but he reassured me it's purely routine.
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: gone surfin'
Nice descriptive write up dunlemitepilot. Funny how they charge all that money, when the biggest deciding factor is the bit you complete yourself.
Sounds like you've got a clean ticket, which is the main thing.
Mind you, reminds me of the time I took the astra for an MOT at Halfords. They checked absolutely everything, but the bloomin' engine still blew up the next day !!
Sounds like you've got a clean ticket, which is the main thing.
Mind you, reminds me of the time I took the astra for an MOT at Halfords. They checked absolutely everything, but the bloomin' engine still blew up the next day !!
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Worcester
Pleased you found the post informative gingernut-just thought I would do it whilst the various goings on were still fresh in my memory. I found similar posts by other users very useful to read when I was in the process of getting this medical sorted, so hopefully others will find it helpful too!
dunelmitepilot
P.S Despite the goings on with your car, I am pleased to report that, despite my medical being just over two weeks ago now, I have not 'blown up' yet! Hopefully it'll stay that way!!
dunelmitepilot
P.S Despite the goings on with your car, I am pleased to report that, despite my medical being just over two weeks ago now, I have not 'blown up' yet! Hopefully it'll stay that way!!
