Visual Field Driving test result

[Cornwalleyes]

Just an update for anyone waiting for their DVLA results. I did my sight test in mid Jan and my old licence ran out 28th Feb. I’ve just had a new one issued dated 21st June. So a five month wait.. thank goodness it’s a three year one.

[Eahldt]

That’s great news. My licence runs out next spring. Did the DVLA remind you and send the information about booking a sight test?

[Cornwalleyes in reply to Eahldt]

Hi yes I got a reminder to book the test, the opticians couldn’t fit me in for a couple of weeks and I got a second reminder! All the info you need is in the letter. It would all be straightforward if the DVLA could just get the results out quicker.

[Eahldt in reply to Cornwalleyes]

Thanks. I had to take the test last year for the first time and the results took 6 months to arrive but at least I could drive whilst waiting and I passed.

[Machicado]

Thanks for this. I had my first DVLA test on 7th April and no result yet but clearly I have a while to wait!

[Cornwalleyes in reply to Machicado]

I’d say try not to worry in the meantime, but I think we all have those “what if” moments. Good luck.

[ffranny]

good for you this dvla test is the most stressful thing ever.

[Cornwalleyes in reply to ffranny]

It is horrible, stressful before, during and afterwards, until you get a good result.

[JustAmanda in reply to ffranny]

It’s unacceptably life-changing and I’m now extremely anxious that, having done two separate sets of inconclusive tests, I’m going to fail my next set next week.

I have no idea what I’m doing wrong but am far from confident the tests have been reliable, as my vision is extremely good and I do not need glasses for driving. However, I’ve always had photosensitive eyes and wonder if dots of light can ever really measure one’s field of vision accurately. I’ve also never had a chin rest adjusted and wonder if any account is taken of the fact that it’s not central for a two-eyed test.

I’m so convinced the problem is Specsavers’s technology and not my eyesight and am frustrated that they will not consult my consultant, who conducts a far wider range of examinations. At the moment my ocular hypertension is well managed with Monopost drops, and I do not yet, have glaucoma.

[ffranny in reply to JustAmanda]

It is the worst event ever, if it helps I did two things in between tests, began making plans for worst possible scenario ie losing licence, electric bike, train pass, thinking this through.. life would inevitably be compromised greatly even so and getting 6 monthly field tests from my opticians to get a concise record of whether my vision is staying the same or not..knowledge is power ...I dont think it is fair and so little is done to understand hlaucoma it seems or help us manage it. i mean for instance, am I now classed as disabled? it severely impacts my life when I dont go out in the dark as my night vision is bad..

!

[JustAmanda in reply to ffranny]

I feel for you.

Sadly, because of my husband’s memory loss we took what we thought was a sensible step, to move nearer to our daughter, but that means we are in a more rural environment and our best railway station is Nottingham Parkway - which is literally in the middle of nowhere, with no bus access. Also an electric bike would not get me to the supermarkets - all of which are ten miles or more away and accessed via busy dual carriageways. The roads around here are also fast and not the safest, so I wouldn’t even use a non electric bike. There is also the question of our duality and how we get to places together. I’m quite happy to use public transport to get to airports a sea ports but a lot of our life, including access to forests and rural walking spaces, is very car-reliant.

Although just 77, I’m very athletic and youthful, and recognise I should not drive if I cannot see clearly, but I actually can! The frustrating thing seems to be getting an accurate test conducted appropriately, or getting a decision from a consultant, who is better placed to advise the DVLA.

I anxiously await my next test, but I shall be making them aware of my anxiety and asking them about the position of the chin rest. I shall also be asking them whether I should be wearing my reading glasses. I have heard that people find the Henson machine friendlier.

[Beecalmed]

Congratulations on getting your 3 year licence! 👏🏻 It’s such a relief isn’t it!? Did you apply online? Mine came so much quicker last year when I went via that route instead of by paper and post.

[Cornwalleyes in reply to Beecalmed]

Huge relief, yes I did apply online, so at least I got the letter telling me to book a Visual field test within a couple of weeks, otherwise I’m sure the whole process would have been even longer.

[MaryCarnegie]

New licences seem to be quicker to come recently. My reminder to renew it before I turned 70 arrived just as I was about to have bilateral cataract operations- of course! I didn’t follow it up for a bit for obvious reasons but managed to have vision including fields checked in time. Optician was quite booked up so glad I made appointment in advance. I don’t drive anymore as it happens (broken wrist plus three operations for early breast cancer in past four years meant I wouldn’t have been confident and got used to walking/public transport or my husband giving me a lift in my car, our only car.) But it’s accepted identification. Passports are expensive and I’m not likely to go out of UK since Brexit. Losing EHIC would likely mean great big bill for health insurance. Before I’d have routinely renewed my passport.. When I did apply online the new licence arrived within days to my astonishment. I haven’t lost visual field where it affects driving fortunately. I am very grateful to my GP for realising there was something wrong with my eyes and getting treatment underway promptly when I think how much vision I would have lost otherwise. I was too ill generally to twig that my eyesight was in danger.