The DVLA got my forms back a month ago. This morning I got a letter from them, informing me that, in spite of the raft of information I sent them, I have to take their (expletive deleted) VFT. The first branch on their list couldn’t give me an appointment until next month (my birthday month). Apparently, the machine has changed again (it’s a Zeiss now) so the branches I went to last time and the time before, now don’t do the test. So I had to choose a different branch and fortunately, they gave me an appointment next week. Apparently, all the branches do their DVLA tests first thing, so I have to travel 20 miles in the morning rush hour. As I am a stubborn old biddy, I haven’t given up yet, but the day may come when I have had enough of the hassle. My heart goes out to all the younger people suffering the stress and indignity of this test.
DVLA part 2: The DVLA got my forms back a month... - Glaucoma UK
DVLA part 2
Hi there I have just been told that I have ‘very likely’ go glaucoma in one eye and have been given drops. I hate the vision field test and get very anxious and distressed. I am 80 years old this year and still diving from England to Scotland to see relatives and am so scared that I will lose my licence. Sorry that you are having such a problem getting spots and suitable places to have it done…. It’s bad enough without that. Just thought that I would touch base with a kindred soul. Take care.
Thank you! Really, I should be used to this procedure by now as it will be my third DVLA visual field test (not to mention all the hospital ones I’ve had) but knowing so much depends on it freaks me out. It’s like doing the 11+. I wish you good luck when your turn comes around.
Thank you. I have just jumped through DVLA hoops as I declared an incidental finding of a cerebral aneurysm. Had to drive on a medical licence(88 I think) until they cleared it with my consultant. Makes me wonder if it isll worth it but on my own and need the car for independence. The hospital one today was awful, unsympathetic staff, talking all the time in a small room, mask and half out of the chair! Thank you for the chat.
I've been given a chance of a retest after having my licence revoked. Unfortunately I'm recovering from a trabeculectomy so not sure whether I'll be able to do it within their time limits. They are aware and I belive it could be extended. It's certainly all very stressful. I'm doing a different type of test as last Specsavers was very noisy and kept me waiting for ages . Good luck.
You have my sympathy I have had my licence withdrawn, not renewed and despite appealing using the DVLA's procedure and passing the eyesight test and scoring 118/120 on the Field of Vision test they have not relented and I am unable to drive. Which will mean selling up and moving closer to a village with a shop, pub and bus service. I'm an 80 yr old man. My next step is to take another set of tests, write to my MP and investigate appealing through a Magistrates Court. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has successfully appealed via a magistrates court.
best of luck to you. Your strength and determination will help you!
Everything that I have ever seen or read about interpretation of the DVLA test results - including the slides shown in the presentation on the glaucoma.uk web site - says that a score of 118/120 would generally be considered acceptable. If that is the only reason why DVLA have withdrawn your licence, then you seem to have good grounds for appeal.
Many thanks
My experience with Specsavers was OK except that I had to stand my ground to get a copy of the print out from the VF test. This was only done when I said that Glaucoma UK had advised us that we were entitled to a copy.
It seems to me that there are two main problems
1. The experience seems to vary so much from branch to branch which raises questions about their training and quality assurance processes.
2. They have a monopoly as they have an exclusive contract with the DVLA.
Maybe this is another issue for Glaucoma UK to take up on behalf of the glaucoma community?
Wish you all the best yes fight tough we all have to do that in this world some more than others, it is a shame that you cannot do it in your local opticians, and that you have to travel 20 miles away, good luck, take care through the rush hour, if it were me I would asked someone else to take you, because those tests can make me tired and drained, anyway good luck and don't drive home until you have some fresh air and cup or coffee or tea, something to eat as well, what I am saying get a break before you drive back good luck, safe journey hope it goes well.
thank you! My husband will come with me, but I will drive as his driving would make me more stressed than driving myself!! And I am already checking out suitable coffee shops on trip advisor.
Understand exactly how you feel...it has taken me from last July to get "evidence" together from a previous hospital too - and no-one could say exactly what evidence...so sent in Field Tests and recent letter confirming Cataract removal etc. Living in a rural area without buses is now an ongoing nightmare which few seem able to understand! As you say...at our age having to get ourselves to appointments of any kind is almost impossible...if it were not for a local Community Car set up to get to train or bus station if would be impossible. I am now waiting again and holding my breath...and who knows how long it may take. Best Wishes.
I have primary angle closure glaucoma in both eyes since 2014. The dvla revoked my driving license in 2022 but I’ve just got it back on appeal, only for 12 months though. It’s not so much taking the vft but more the inconsistency of Specsavers staff who administer the test. I had to stop my appeal vft and request the branch manager who agreed with me that their operative had not set the machine up properly, they didn’t know how to basically. I’m 62 and still working so it’s a high stakes test for me and no doubt many others and it’s stressful enough without untrained people adding to the stress.
Wow. How did you know they had set it up wrongly? Regards, Lin
Hi Lin, as you know the vft machine has two chin rests, for a dvla binocular vft the left chin rest must be adjusted so it is in the centre. On two occasions, the vft I failed and my appeal test, the Specsavers operative tried to get me to rest my chin on the pointy bit between the chin rests. Totally wrong, and the tests were carried out at different branches, it’s quite common too I believe, staff not trained to the required standard to facilitate the tests accurately.
Thanks for that. Cannot honestly remember what my chin was resting on. But good to know.
Good luck and fingers crossed you get a positive result back from the dvla
In January, at Specsavers in Aberdeen I was told to rest my chin on the pointy bit. I said it was very uncomfortable so the opthalmologist gave me a thin tissue to place under my chin. It continued to be uncomfortable and distracting. I was fortunate that my licence was ok after that but I will have to repeat in a year. How did you find out they should use the left chinrest? I would be grateful to have the information for my next stressful battle with them!
Thank you for posting this useful information
My Optometrist told me (not Specsavers) and this was confirmed by the Specsavers branch manager where I took my dvla appeal vft and my Consultant. The manager stated that not setting up the machine correctly was grounds for appeal in itself.
I'm 73 this year, and I've just done my second DVLA VFT. This time it was much more stressful as I had to do all three attempts, so I knew I had not done very well. The Specsavers optician spoke to me afterwards and confirmed that I had missed a few spots, but could not say what the DVLA would decide. Like everybody else, being able to drive is important to me, especially as I have other disabilities. On the other hand, I would not sleep easy at all if I had injured or killed someone because of my eyesight.
I'm waiting in dread for the brown envelope to come. I saw the Digital Support Group video about the test so I know I can appeal. Moorfields were confident I would pass the VFT, but I realise now that their test does not cover such a wide area as the DVLA one. Best of luck everyone.
I do hope you are ok and you get your new licence. It’s a special kind of torment, having to wait as well. The DVLA had my completed forms for a month before they let me know I had to do their rotten test. With every day that passed and I didn’t hear from them, I felt more confident they would be willing to accept my ophthalmologist’s word that my eyesight was good enough for driving. But “the computer says no”. Sigh.
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