DVLA test result back in 12 days! Sadly a fail. Anyone else coping with a fail?

[Iona57]

Hello everyone, just an update that I got my DVLA test result today, 12 days since I took the test. Sadly it was a fail, but cushioned a bit by the fact that it was expected. Still it's a relief that now I know. I won't be appealing as it's clear why I've failed - a lot to do with longstanding poor vision in my left eye, as well as the recent glaucoma in my right. Are there any other folks out there coping with adapting to life without a car? I'm managing pretty well with public transport. However, psychologically I feel a bit of an oddity- as there is no one among my relatives, friends, work colleagues or acquaintances that this happened to, as far as I'm aware

[Longwalks3]

I failed my DVLA test in 2020 and have been coming to terms with this for the last 3 years. I actually see much better now than I did at the time when I failed the test but have never appealed the result as my glaucoma has been too unstable and I have had multiple operations. However, things are now on a more even keel my pressures are now stable at 10 in both eyes when last measured about a month ago and I have at long last had my blocked tear duct repaired so I am no longer looking through tears in my right eye all the time. I am due to have a fields test again (first one post tear duct op) in a week or so and will be interested to see if there is any improvement. I do find it frustrating not to be able to drive but I am in the fortunate position that my husband still drives and I have many kind friends who give me lifts when he is at work. I no longer work myself (it became too difficult whilst I was having all the operations and battling the resulting extreme dry eye.} I am also to live in an area with reasonable public transport and I make good use of my free bus and train pass. Losing my licence would have been much harder if I lived in a more rural area.

[Iona57 in reply to Longwalks3]

Thank you. I hope you will find some improvement at your next appointmentI'm looking forward to getting my free bus pass in September!

[YJ18]

Hi Iona,

I'm in exactly the same position as you but in my case the driving ban was a great shock to me.

I live in a small village with approximately 3 buses each day and although we have a train station that is about a mile away. My husband is being kind and giving me lifts but I feel that I've lost all chances of 'popping in' to places on an impulse now.

I've wondered about getting a bike but I think that will have to wait until the weather improves.

I keep getting people tell me about all their friends and relatives who have glaucoma 'but they haven't been stooped from driving' not comforting information at all!!

Good luck anyway- I'm sure we'll both be able to adapt our lives once we've accepted our new situations.

[Icanstillsee in reply to YJ18]

I failed my test last summer. It was a first DVLA test and was a huge shock. It took me several weeks to CNN one to terms with it but then I decided to appeal and booked an independent test . I went to a different Specsavers where I had a totally different and better experience, and the results were obviously better as I was given my licence back on an annual renewal meaning that I will retake the test every year. My eyes are stable but at least if I fail the test this year I am at least prepared. The appeal was stressful in that the DVLA were slow and didn’t acknowledge e mails V or letters. I ended up getting my MP involved and that speeded up the response. It took 4 months it total.

My advice to anyone who fails the test the first time is to appeal and retake the test at your own expense. It was worth £30. Good luck.

[Iona57 in reply to Icanstillsee]

Hi Icanstillsee, thanks for your reply. I'm pleased you had success in your appeal. Shame it was so stressful. It's very useful to know you can do this. I did a trial DVLA test at my own optician, which I was told would be a fail, and the subsequent Specsavers DVLA test was almost identical so I feel OK with the outcome. If I'd passed my opticians test and failed Specsavers I would certainly have appealed!

[Iona57 in reply to YJ18]

Hi YJ18, thanks for your reply. At my first appointment at the glaucoma clinic I asked the consultant for information about my eyes and driving. I was very shocked when he told me that my visual fields were already so bad he thought I wouldn't pass DVLA test. Another consultant and my optician said this too, ( when I asked ) so I was prepared when the DVLA result came . It seems the doctors won't necessarily volunteer this information unless you ask. I do sympathise with your transport situation. Three buses a day is very limiting. I've dusted off my bikes and am practicing round the village, but I'm not very fit! Like you, the ability to 'pop' anywhere is very limited.

It seems that those of us who lose our license are in the exclusive 12 percent ( or 1 in 8 ) of people with glaucoma. I wonder if it is to do with already having other issues in one or both eyes.

All the best to you. As you say, I'm sure we'll adapt and get more used to our situation.

[tkhach44]

I did not know I can have a free bus pass, as I don't see any more, at all, with my glaucoma right eye. I live in Canada, should I ask my eye doctor about a reference to the DVLA centre? or what are the necessary procedures?

[Iona57 in reply to tkhach44]

Hi, I'm in the UK. Thanks to your question I looked up bus pass eligibility in the UK, and to my surprise I found that if you have had your license revoked you are eligible for a free bus pass. I didn't know that ! thought I had to wait for my older persons pass at 66! Bus passes are dealt with by your local authority, not the Driver And Vehicle Licensing Agency.I did a quick Google about Canada and the information is all based on what region you are in. I did find a site called CNIB which looks like our RNIB in the UK. You can search for regional information or ring them on a free phone number

Good luck!

[OneIn100Thousand in reply to Iona57]

One of my 2nd cousins developed Type 1 diabetes when she was 11 and has never been able to apply for a driving licence (apparently), so she has had a disability bus pass from late teenager onwards. This is the UK remember. Don't know about Canada.

[tkhach44]

Thanks very much Iona. that's good info. i will look at it.

[whitedog]

Hi

Not looked in for a while so just to say am sorry you failed the test.

I guess a free bus pass helps but I've been wondering, if I have to face it myself, about the practicalities of getting to, for eg, hospital appointments that are straightforward by car but a long trek by bus.

I used to be pretty fit and cycled everywhere but not for 20 years!