Medichecks Drug & alcohol testing

Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) DVLA Blood Test

This test measures carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT), a marker used to assess recent drinking patterns. It suits people preparing for a DVLA medical review after losing their licence for an alcohol-related reason.

  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Blood
Collection
In-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Results in
7 days
Biomarkers
1
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • Carbohydrate deficient transferrin

Test specifications

Provider
Medichecks
Sample type
blood
Collection method
in-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Turnaround time
7 days
Biomarkers tested
1
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Medichecks.

Alcohol consumption

  • Carbohydrate deficient transferrin

About this test

Carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) is a marker that can reflect a pattern of higher alcohol consumption over recent weeks. This test measures CDT specifically for people who need to demonstrate their drinking pattern, for example as part of a DVLA medical review after losing a licence for an alcohol-related reason.

As a single-marker test, it places around the middle for depth among the comparable tests we track. On price, at £99 it costs well below the typical test of similar size in this category in our tracking.

It's easy to see what's included before you buy, with the biomarker, sample type, turnaround and collection options clearly listed; only the report format is left unstated. Trust signals are strong: Medichecks has a 4.5 Trustpilot rating from over 2,400 reviews, its partner labs carry UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation, doctor review is included as standard, and it has been trading since 2001. Collection convenience is middling, since there's no at-home option and you need a venous draw at a clinic or a home nurse visit.

Who is it for?

This test suits you if you need to evidence your drinking pattern, for example as part of a DVLA medical review, and want a doctor-reviewed CDT result. The test result reflects your CDT level; it does not guarantee any particular outcome with the DVLA, whose own assessment is separate from this test.

If you have concerns about alcohol use more generally, it's worth speaking to your GP as well as using this test.

How it works

You give your sample via an in-store clinic, a home nurse visit, or a venous draw at a clinic; there's no at-home finger-prick option for this test. The lab measures your CDT level, and a doctor reviews the result before your report is sent, typically within 7 days.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Your CDT result is reviewed by a doctor before your report is sent.
  • At £99, it costs well below the typical test of this kind we track.
  • A home nurse visit is available if you cannot get to a clinic.

Cons

  • No at-home collection option; you need a clinic or nurse visit.
  • Result reflects your CDT level only; it does not guarantee a DVLA outcome.
  • Turnaround is around 7 days, so results are not immediate.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score CDT alcohol marker for DVLA licence reviews
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This blood test measures CDT, a marker linked to recent alcohol consumption, for £99, via a venous draw at a clinic or a home nurse visit, with a doctor's comment included. Against comparable tests we track, it is priced well below the typical cost. The result reflects your drinking pattern; it does not guarantee any particular outcome with the DVLA.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 8.0/10

    The listing publishes a short description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 7.2/10

    1 biomarkers, placing it in the 44th percentile of toxicology tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 8.0/10

    A blood sample taken at home by a visiting nurse or phlebotomist; with a venous or clinic option as well; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 7 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 9.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.5 from 2,477 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); doctor review as standard; trading 25+ years.

  • Value for money 9.0/10

    £99.00 against a median of £195.00 for the 8 similarly sized toxicology tests we track (-49%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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