Restricted Driving Licence

[t55ddy]

I was diagnosed with Glaucoma in my left eye and use drops in both and had a Trabulectomy (sp?). My consultant advised my to let the DVLA know. I was sent for a visual field and acuity test and I now have a restricted 1 year Licence and have had the C1 element removed. My question is: is that it or can I apply if my condition is stable, to have the C1 put back and restrictions removed??

Many thanks for any ideas...

[Beecalmed]

Hi t55ddy! I can’t answer your question but I’d be interested in the answer. I have a medical driving licence (glaucoma both eyes) but have no idea of the criteria used by DVLA in their decision making, other than they use the Specsavers field test results.

[t55ddy in reply to Beecalmed]

Hi There and I think you are right in that it is just the Specsavers (who I would never choose to go to!) test ... When I did my visual field test they insisted I wear a mask which of course meant that my glasses were constantly fogging. They refused to tell me if that test was best of three or if it was the best of the three (if that makes sense) and would not tell me whether I had passed or failed....

[Beecalmed in reply to t55ddy]

I found out recently that you can ask for a copy of your field tests from Specsavers, so you can then take them to your opticians to see how you scored. Did you take your test during lockdown? I ask as I took my field test in the summer and didn’t have to wear a mask, which was a great relief. I do find the rooms they do test in are often off the main shop and consequently are very noisy and quite distracting. Perhaps you should request a re-test due to the misting up from the mask not giving you a fair test?

[CV-19]

Hi t55ddy, my last two restricted licences have been 3 year ones, which also remove these categories. My most recent licence is just for one year, and although obviously I cannot give you a cast iron guarantee, I would say that there is practically no chance that your C1 will be restored. I’m sorry that is so blunt! I used to spend my weekends driving a 7.5k horse box, and had to stop that overnight. A one year licence is horrible, and I truly have every sympathy for, and empathy with you. I hope very much that your job isn’t reliant on your permissions.

It is possible to appeal, but the fact that you’ve gone straight to a one year licence probably doesn’t help your cause. You might get it extended to more years, but not more categories. I am very sorry.

Can you tell how much this upsets me too?

Alison.

[t55ddy in reply to CV-19]

Blunt is fine, I would prefer to know! The whole DVLA thing is a bit of a mystery - communication is very poor and I dislike going to SpecSavers as there really do not seem to care / very uninformative. I have been borderline on the 20 metre test for many years - the glaucoma has put me closer to that border... not looking forward to the next test but can see no alternative ...

[Booflak]

Hi t55ddy,

"Appealing a DVLA decisionIf the DVLA decide not to re-issue your licence following a test, you can informally appeal their decision. There are strict time limits for this (different in Scotland to the rest of the UK) and the process involves having another visual field test at an optometrist of your choice, and this test being send to the DVLA for assessment. You will have to pay for this. Around 60% of informal appeals are successful (as of 2019)."

I just found this on the glaucoma.uk/care-support/dr... page.

Hope it helps

[t55ddy in reply to Booflak]

That's great and many thanks indeed for sending this... I am clearly concerned about having to go through this on an annual basis. My consultant has said he will support me if the DVLA are difficult but I wasn't sure how that would work...

Thanks again