Hi I’m new to the group.
I have been asked by my hospital consultant to have a visual field test in order to assess whether I should be safe to drive.
He has arranged to do this at the hospital - the Esterman Visual Field.
Hopefully all will go well but I am really nervous.
Just wondering if this is sufficient for DVLA or will they still insist I have another test at Specsavers?
(Unfortunately) yes you do have to have a specsavers DVLA test. You need to inform the DVLA of your condition and they send you paperwork to fill in and return. Then they write back and you make an appointment with one of their nominated branches of Specsavers as they don't all do the DVLA test.
Have you already done the DVLA test? Once I got the all clear from my specsavers test the DVLA just said that the decision to continue driving would now be between me and my consultant/optician. I know this all knocks your confidence but you know if you are safe to drive.
I was diagnosed over 10 years ago. My understanding is that only the Specsavers test arranged by DVLA is used by them to decide on your licence. Any other test by either your consultant or privately via optician can only be used as evidence if you need to appeal DVLA decision. Be warned there are some very long waiting times in getting action or decisions from DVLA.
Hi Neeta53, Get as much practice as you can. There is a lack of consistency between the SPECSAVER franchises: different machines, different rules about whether you can wear your glasses or not. It was not easy to get to the nominated branches of SPECSAVERS, but I used buses and found a branch which suited me, i.e. test undertaken away from distractions(not in a corridor) but not in a cupboard. I advise you ring around and ask where the machine is located and the machine type. Also inquire if the test can be taken without glasses, will it be valid. The reason I failed the Esterman VF test & subsequently lost my licence for 6 months was the thick, dark frames of my driving glasses, unfamiliarity with the test in an unventilated cupboard. Be assertive and take control of the process, which is an inadequate assessment of your visual field. Good luck and please keep us informed of your 'journey'.
I hate the visual test.Always different machines, once a noisy spot, click , click, And then spec s.savers send you home with no info how bad it was. I had a test at the hospital, again a different machine, should have another check soon but sonervous about it although the staff at hospital was lovely.And find it hard to look straight at the screen.
Specsavers are not permitted to give an "official' opinion on your test result as this must be made by DVLA. However you are entitled to a printout of your results for your own records. I got an appointment in late August for my Specsavers test, having started the process of licence renewal back in April!
I was allowed three tests and asked for printout of results which I was reluctantly given.
No news from DVLA but am not expecting yet as they seem to be running on a 3 to 5 month delay.
My licence expired in June but you are entitled to drive while application switch DVLA.
Just want to re-inforce the comment about long waits for decisions from the DVLA. I took my Specsavers test on 7th April. I still haven't heard anything from them about the outcome.
Thank you everyone for the reply. While you’re waiting for DVLA to make a decision can you continue driving?
yes you can continue driving while waiting for the results which can take several months
ok thanks for the reply 🙂
Hi there, has your consultant already asked you to inform DVLA about your glaucoma? Or is the visual field test result going to decide whether or you should have to do this? If that’s the case and the Esterman is the test used by spec savers, for the DVLA, then it’s an opportunity to try the test in slightly less challenging conditions. I was very apprehensive before my first DVLA test, but found the Specsavers staff very supportive. It’s not the opticians that I use, so was pleased they were so helpful. Very best of luck to you.
The consultant has asked me to do a Esterman test at the hospital and then based on this he will probably ask me to inform DVLA. But then I’m thinking if I do the test at the hospital then why do I need to do it again at Specsavers ?
The problem is that Specsavers have the contract for doing these tests and so I imagine you have to go through the process with them, in order for the test to be legal. I note the comment from TrescoPaddler about choosing which branch to go. I have been quite lucky so far, with the two different branches I’ve used; if I had to go to another one, I might consider doing a preliminary visit to check out how they do the test. I think your consultant is being very kind in arranging this test at the hospital as it will accustom you to the situation and, if the result is really good, he may decide you don’t need to let DVLA know just yet! Good luck.
Hello Neeta53,
I also found Specsavers very helpful, and thanks to Glaucoma UK we can acsess the DVLA by a special e mail :
glaucomaqueries@dvla.gov.uk.
Good luck
Specsavers is very variable... the guy who did my test in Jan had only been with them 2 hours. Fail. 2 very good passes at hospital. About to have another test on Thurs, different branch, different machine. I was not allowed to drive meantime. Eventually got MP on the job as had heard nothing, no licence for 9 months!! So now got licence back but have to take sight test again. I live alone in a small village not on bus route. I kept my car, ever hopeful. Soul-destroying having to beg lifts when I was always the lift-giver. This Specsavers is only 26 miles away instead of 40 and I am told the operator is good. I passed my test in 66, they can check my records... I reckon I have driven 500k miles in that time on everything from single-track to autobahn, no points... so far! So fingers very crossed for Thurs.
Good Luck. Not sure why they don’t just accept the hospital field test.
Thanks. Yes, why believe a surgeon with many years experience when you can have a lad who started 2 hours ago and doesn't know how to switch the machine on? Far less adjust it to one's driving prescription... (relatively mild now I have had my cataracts done). Anyway, never give up. I'm going to a different branch of Specsavers with an experienced operator, a different machine, highly recommended by someone with severe sight probs. Some of the Specsavers suggested by DVLA are 80 miles away! Google maps, say no more.
How accurate is a visual field test?
Would anyone be willing to share the past DVLA Group 1 Visual Field Test Results and DVLA response.
NHS Visual Field Test Results
Field Test
Field Test Results 
