Yesterday (Saturday) the dreaded brown envelope from the DVLA was delivered by our postie - deliveries must have being running late as the letter arrived about 5.00pm.
Worrying that the letter (which seemed rather thick) might be bad news I put it aside until I had my tea.
I plucked up the courage to open the the letter and was very relieved to read that although my current licence would be withdrawn it would be replaced with a medical review licence which will be valid for 3 years.
I am happy with this outcome and have completed and returned the declaration form so I can get my new licence.
As Specsavers in Totnes could not give me a copy of my visual field test results I have emailed the DVLA at glaucomaqueries@dvla.gov.uk for a copy so I have a baseline to work from as presumably in 3 years time when my licence is due for renewal I will need to do another DVLA visual field test and it would useful to compare my future results with the current ones.
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Rescobie
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Phew! Congratulations on getting your 3 yr medical license. I know what a huge relief that is as I’m also on a medical license so went through the process! I’ve never been able to get a copy of my test from Specsavers. I’d be interested to hear if you get a copy from DVLA.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could all get a copy of our tests, documents and DVLA’s decision making process from DVLA? It would make the process so much more transparent and less stressful. Anyway, enjoy your driving and the next 3 yrs until your next assessment. 🙂
I attended a Glaucoma UK webinar at which someone from Specsavers spoke and you are entitled to a copy of your VF result. That said, I had to insist that I was given it and only got it after the assistant had asked her manager.
You are entitled but it can sometimes be a battle to get it. I’ve gone twice. First time I didn’t know I could get a copy. Second time I asked and didn’t get it. I called up later and didn’t get anywhere and gave up. When I’m next due in 2 years time I’m going to request at booking and build in enough time to sit in the branch until I get a copy. 👍🏻
I only started this malarkey because I tried to change the address on my driving licence and had to declare that I have ocular hypertension. As yet, I do not have glaucoma and my condition is well managed with Monopost drops.
Following two tests, I was recalled for a further test, only to be told it was inconclusive!
My consultant and optician are very happy with my eyesight and I feel that I can see wide angled images and height and depth clearly, so much so that I do not wear my varifocals for driving.
Next week I have a third test and am really stressed because I’m confused by the results and very confident that I can see extremely well. My two/three previous tests were on a Humphrey machine and I was not asked to wear my glasses. Next week it will be at a different Specsavers, who have a different machine. I’m disappointed that last time, they only did a single test which, if they knew it was inconclusive, should have led to me being given two more attempts. Not knowing what “inconclusive’ means.
I don’t know whether I have a problem or whether it’s their technology. I Googled the Humphrey machine and found that it has a high unreliability rate. That is concerning when the decision can so dramatically affect one’s quality of life. In every other respect I’m a fit, very adventurous fell and mountain walker.
What concerns me most is the DVLA’s unwillingness to be led by my consultant’s assessment, which is altogether more robust, and the fact that they are totally lacking compassion or customer care skills, and will not advise me what their issue is! In 2023 people are entitled to fuller explanations!
I’m not at the hospital until mid June but they’ve always been really happy and always tell me my vision is very good. That’s why I believe I’d have their support.
At the moment my ocular hypertension hasn’t progressed to glaucoma so I’ve no idea why my tests keep coming back as inconclusive. It would be helpful if someone would tell me whether that’s sinister or meaningless! The thing that bewilders me is that I feel I have a wide field of vision and excellent distance vision, so I’m totally surprised by this turn of events. I’ve even read since, that one doesn’t need to report ocular hypertension to the DVLA, so wish I’d never declared it!
I’ve just been reading some of the appeals and challenges pursued by people in this thread and what I’ve been made aware of is that I need never have declared my ocular hypertension when changing my address on my driving licence. It’s not a listed condition that needs to be reported.
I therefore intend to politely phone the DVLA, to advise them that they are not operating legally in requiring these tests, and ask them to simply change the address on my legal driving licence without further tests. Watch this space!
My consultant and optician both reckon I will fly through the DVLA VFT. Unfortunately, the hospital VF test covers a narrower field than the official DVLA one. The DVLA do an Esterman test.
I'm still waiting for my brown envelope. If I fail, I will appeal. I can choose any optician. Fortunately, mine has a Henson 9000 machine which is capable of doing the DVLA test. He will charge me for it, which is fair enough as the machines cost money. Not all opticians can do the test.
To be honest, the Esterman test is the only test that counts. Should I fail, I'm going to do the test in my distance specs AND my readers.
Apparently, I can choose without specs, or whichever specs I am most comfortable with - not that Specsavers have been trained to let you. It just occurred to me that the screen in the machine is quite close.
Another point to think about is the thickness and size of your specs frame. Is it impeding your side vision?
I also learned that if you have a false positive score of 20% or more, you will fail. I suppose that is to deter you from guessing. Fair enough I guess.
I really wish this info was available in one leaflet.
Hi all. We have been informed by the DVLA in the past, that you are entitled to a copy of your driving visual field test from Specsavers, if you ask for it. I will get clarification from my colleague here, who has some involvement with these matters, with the DVLA.
Hi Helen - there does seem to be inconsistency with the different branches of Specsavers. Given that there must be a Service Level Agreement between the DVLA and Specsavers surely the DVLA should "enforce" the clause re giving a copy of the test results if asked for. I asked but was told I could not be given a copy - the email I got back today from glaucomaqueries at the DVLA advised me that it was a different section that dealt with the results and I would get a copy in "due course".
Hi. I am awaiting the dreaded brown DVLA envelope! Took the test at Specsavers 2 weeks ago. How long did you have to wait for the response? I have advanced glaucoma in both eyes so very worried about the result.
I didn’t get the test result from Specsavers on the day but I have spoken to them and they did say they would post to me.
Hi SweePru - I had my field test on 30 March 2023. The letter from the DVLA was dated 6 April 2023 but I did not get the letter until 15 April 2023, so it looks like the DVLA might be quick at looking at the test results but there is an issue with how quickly the correspondence is issued by the DVLA mailing room or how quickly Royal Mail gets round to delivering the letter.
I do hope you get the result you want. I will pray for you - while I was waiting for my result I prayed morning and night, asking God how I would be able to maintain the grounds of our Church and do other voluntary work for the RNIB and my local St Luke's Hospice shop if I could not drive. Given I have been granted a 3 year medical licence it is clear that the Lord's plan for me is to continue to serve him and others for at least 3 more years!
this is the third time I have been through this. I have had glaucoma for 26 years with gradual progression. Trabulectomy in both eyes and two revisions on right eye in the last two years. Vision and visual field not good in left eye in particular. My consultant is at Moorfields and they are marvellous. Desperately hoping my license is renewed otherwise some major changes ahead, getting to work, assisting elderly mother etc etc!!! 😵💫🥺
Great news….my licence has been renewed for another three years! I was unsure but very happy with the result. I don’t drive at night but at least this means I can still get to work! 😁
Have just had a letter saying I must go back to specsavers for another VFT - their are 4 locally and all Humphrey except one which is Zeiss - Humphrey seems to the one commonly used but the flashing lights fade in intensity and that is not how it is supposed to be - does anyone know if Zeiss if has static lights as would make a difference. Info re Zeiss would be appreciated. I am in depair - two years since I was failed and due to operator never having done the test before and seem like she's been programmed to sell me more glasses - and didnt know the difference...
thank you for your response. I’m nervous waiting for the post everyday! 🤞🏽🤞🏽
I had a problem with the field of vision test at a Specsavers and my licence was revoked. I retook the test at 2 different branches (cost about £30) and they were very helpful, gave me a copy of the results which proved my vf was OK. I appealed and got nowhere until I emailed glaucomaqueries@dvla.gov,uk who took up my case the same day and my new licence arrived within 3 days.
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