Back in May, I had a letter from the DVLA saying that my renewal application would be delayed and there would be a 12 week delay for eyesight examinations. I phoned them and was told I could continue driving under a Section 88. Since then I have heard nothing. Just called them again and there has been no progress and examinations were still suspended.
How are others dealing with this?
Hi Yeuclid,
I had the same problem with my licence but luckily I did just happen to take the DVLA Test about a week before lockdown. That was middle of March and I finally got my licence back in August.
I believe that you can still drive for up to 12 months as long as you`ve not been told otherwise by an optician, doctor or consultant.
There is a gov.uk site where you can get more information.
Lynne
You can use a section 88 extension, if your doctor says you are OK to drive. Not sure how long it lasts for though. They have granted an 11 month extension for those with "normal" licences. I wrote to my MP to see if he could move things along, but as he is a Tory, he has just ignored me.
Hello Yeuclid,
the EU has now agreed to increase the catchment period to 31 December 2020 and increase the extension period from 7 months to 11 months. This means that drivers whose photocard or entitlement expires between 1 February 2020 and 31 December 2020 now have an 11 month extension from the date of expiry. Drivers do not need to take any action as the extension will be automatic. Drivers do not need to renew their licence until they receive a reminder before their extension expires. Insurance companies have been made aware of this so you are still covered under whatever cover you have.
I asked the DVLA about this and was told that the extension did not apply to "medical" licenses.
Can I ask what you mean by a medical licence? If you mean you are renewing your licence and you have glaucoma it would still apply to you.
A medical licence is one where it is only renewed after taking a medical examination, in my case a field test for glaucoma affected vision, every 3 years.
In that case the extension would apply to you and you will be covered to drive on the 11 month extension.
Are you sure about that, it's not what the DVLA said.
The reason the DVLA are doing this is because they are aware that Specsavers are not able to do the Visual field test for driving at the moment. If, however you know or feel that your vision has become worse over the 3 year period you must advise the DVLA of this as you may not be covered with the extension. If you are still unsure with the information we have provided please contact the DVLA for further information.
The Section 88 allows an extension if a doctor says it's OK.
As long as your consultant is happy that you are safe to continue driving you will be covered under Section 88. I have attached the link below for the gov.uk website for further information.
Thank you for confirming that. It's an area that doesn't seem to be well covered by informative documentation. I am still not sure if I am covered by the extension, or by the section 88. What applies in my case?
Just checked gov.uk site this p.m. They are advising there is an extension of 11months, which has pleased my partner as his licence expired today. He's been so worried and has tried everything to get it sorted so he can continue to drive. Close call xxx
I have suffered a lot of stress regarding this same problem with the DVLA. I had my glaucoma test 11 Apr 21 and was not warned there would be delay in receiving result. I phoned once held on for 40 mins and when I got through was fobbed off. Then yesterday I went online to the chat bot and received prompt response and request for my details then was told they were diverting me to the medical section and I would have a short wait. 35 mins later I received a message saying they could not help me?
I had my field test on 9 April 2021 and got my results and license on 31 May 2021. So you may be getting close to the top of the queue. If you still haven't got it in a week's time, try emailing glaucomaqueries@dvla.gov.uk.Meanwhile my local MP is planning to raise this DVLA backlog in parliament. You could try contacting your MP too.
Thanks for your response, I live in hope every day! Good to have a contact email if it doesn't arrive by the end of the week. Much appreciated, Linda
I’m so glad I came on here for another look! I had my DVLA Test last Friday, and wasn’t told about any delay. I’ll stop stressing out about hearing any time soon.I made a right mess of it, and I had to keep my mask on, so my glasses got fogged up, and I’m not convinced that I was in the right position. I saw the print out, and was horrified! I am now really scared that my licence will be gone, even though last month my consultant said I’d be fine because of it being binocular. Licence expired last Friday, so my lovely car is stuck in the driveway.
Hi there, I wasn't told by the lady who did my field test that it would be a while before I would hear anything! In fact she told me she would send them electronically so I thought it wouldn't be a long wait. Had my test on 11 Apr 21 and still waiting.
I too found that doing the test with the mask on was a nightmare and it was a busy day at Specsavers (Sunday) and the young lady that did my eye test at the end, rushed me and held something in front of (supposedly one eye) but she blocked the chart somehow so that I couldn't read the last column, and when I told her she said to me that she had to write down the first reading!
I think the whole test is a farce in fact. How does having your chin resting on a bar and your forehead on another in any way replicate your driving position as when you're driving you can move your neck. I've been driving for 40 years and got a clean licence.
This business needs to be sorted out and I shall be writing to my MP as well about it. If Swansea workers are not willing to return to work as they are on furlough then it ought to be privatised.
I had a field vision test at an optician who said I only missed one light. She referred me to a local community health care centre because of pressure in my eyes and they did the field vision test but had a piece of glass touching each eye at a time which was obstructing my view. When it came to the left eye the operator tilted the glass and my chin wasn't even able to rest on the chin rest. She was very impatient, huffing and puffing, and wouldn't listen to me but then the doctor told me that my field vision was reduced. These operators should understand that they may not be bothered but it causes a lot of distress to a lot of people and I agree that it is not how we drive with one eye covered up and looking through a small piece of glass touching your eye. The tests should be done by a doctor at a proper hospital.
Hi there, I'm sure a lot of us must get very stressed about this whole business and I will be taking the matter up with officials after I receive my driving licence which expired in Feb 21 (or if I have to appeal if they revoke it)! I have still not heard anything so I will be emailing them on glaucomaqueries@dvla.gov.uk Regards to you.
Good Luck with that.
Please see "DVLA field of vision test" which I posted at the end of April 2021
DVLA backlog! I am pleased to report that I received my driving licence back on Saturday; I believe this is a direct result of contacting my Tory MP - Daniel Kawcynski on Monday 14th Jun (as somebody else had found success doing so). It was such a relief and has taken a lot of the stress away. Thanks for the support on here from everyone, x
DVLA visual field test
DVLA medical backlog
DVLA Esterman test
DVLA field tests
