DVLA question

[lesphoto]

I was wondering if when you make a declaration to DVLA regarding having glaucoma you have to surrender your driving license straight away or wait for the results from a field test?

[Beecalmed]

If my memory serves me correctly (as back to 2018 when I had to notify DVLA) I think I only physically had to return my full driving licence card after the results of my specsavers field test were in. But I think technically you are surrendering your licence at notification but you are allowed to drive so long as your consultant says you are safe to do so. After my field test as they had cleared me to drive but on a 3 year medical licence I then had to physically surrender my licence and my new medical licence was sent to me. Be aware that on a medical licence you seem to lose some of the categories. I seemed to have lost the right to tow trailers over a certain weight or some minibuses. I’m not sure if it’s possible to get them back with additional testing as I’ve never needed to.

Obviously if you drive as part of your occupation the process and rules may be slightly different.

You should notify your car insurer of any change to your licence however my insurer said if DVLA said I was fit to drive whatever my status then they just note it in your files but it doesn’t impact on your insurance or your premium.

[Ilovecake-]

Hi I recently had a DVLA sight test and the lady told me that she had a duty of care to tell me not to drive immediately if the test wasn’t good , as it was fine she said I will hear back in a few weeks and I did and was surprised to know I don’t need to repeat the test until my 70th birthday which is 2028. I hope that helps .

[lesphoto in reply to Ilovecake-]

Thank you both for your helpful replies

[312Z]

They looked at my case and wrote to me with information to arrange for a test at specs avers.

If you have access to YouTube there is a brilliant video from Glaucoma UK.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Unless you have been told by your consultant or the optometrist at the time of the test not to drive, you can carry on driving while waiting to hear back from the DVLA.