DVLA Help

[Jacs123]

I was diagnosed with Glaucoma in both eyes two years ago but was not advised to inform the DVLA. There is minimal impact on my peripheral vision.. I then read that I should automatically inform the DVLA. I asked the consultant…a new one ..she said it was possible he didn’t mention it because the change to the visual fields is different in both eyes so perhaps he wasn’t concerned but I should have been advised!

I am now so stressed so if anyone can help with advice I would be really grateful!

When you tell the DVLA do they stop you driving until you take the test?

Is it usually a restriction on your license for 1 or 2 or 3 years?

Can your insurance company suspend your cover until you take the test?

This Forum looks really helpful! Thanks

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello,

The responsibility is on the onus of the person to tell the DVLA, but if the person didnt know, this situation can happen. The important thing is that you now know what needs to be done.

The law states that if you have glaucoma in both eyes, you need to tell them. Failing to do so can lead to a £1000 fine and your licence being automatically revoked. Also if you are an accident you will only be covered 3rd party.

When you tell the DVLA, they will send you a V1 form to fill in and return to them or you can do it online which is a bit quicker. Don't worry about not informing them when you were first diagnosed.

Q) When you tell the DVLA do they stop you driving until you take the test?

A) You do not have to stop driving while waiting for the appointment at Specsavers.

Q)Is it usually a restriction on your license for 1 or 2 or 3 years?

A) You will need to take the test every 3 years. Yearly if Borderline.

Q) Can your insurance company suspend your cover until you take the test?

A) This won't happen. It is important that you call them though and tell them of your diagnosis. Some like to be kept up to date with medical history. Your premium will not go up.

[Jacs123 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you so much , this is really helpful!

[Sunshine8888]

I too was in this situation and really terrified however just as Trish has described the process is very straightforward. I was shaking when I did the visual fields test for the DVLA however SpecSavers were absolutely brilliant! I will have to this in three years time again, at no point did I have to stop driving and my car insurance firm were absolutely fine, no problem at all. So rest assured it will be ok!

[Olalflel]

Hi, this forum is really helpful. The other posters have answered you but I’ll chip in anyway. I was in the same position as you: at my initial diagnosis I asked the consultant if I had to tell anyone and he replied, ‘No - your field vision is unaffected’. He was wrong as I found a few months later when I decided to look on the DVLA website myself and was alarmed to see that glaucoma in both eyes is notifiable: panic! I completed the form online (no questions about when I was diagnosed) and in due course received a brown envelope with clear instructions. Basically, they tell you which Specsavers branches near to you offer the test (there are lots of threads in here about the ins and outs of that) and you need to pick one. I phoned my nearest and they didn’t know what I was talking about so I tried the next one. All went well - licence retained. I would advise that you find out about the test/ideal conditions/your rights etc too - as I said - you can do that on here. Of course, inform your insurance but many insurance companies have a blanket statement along the lines of ‘As long as DVLA are happy and you’ve told them about anything notifiable …’

Try not to worry x

[PeterRabbit62]

Hi I was told straight away by my opticians to inform the DVLA, you are allowed to drive whilst waiting for the test and for the results, lucky my test results came back with no restrictions until I am 70 which is when you renew licence again, some drivers have to do the test every 3 years to keep their licence, the test is different to the ordinary field vision test which you do with one eye at a time, the DVLA one is done with both eyes and now it done in Specsavers which may not be easy to get to for some, I would have to travel 30 miles to find my nearest, you might have one in your home town and not all Specsavers can do it apparently, I was lucky a enough to get it done in my local opticians where I know everyone that was 10 years ago, there is a fine if you don't tell the DVLA straight away of over a £1000 so make sure you do, good luck with the test and keeping your licence oh and I should mention you get 3 goes if you fail the first time. Good luck

[CroftS]

I've had the same problem. When I realised, I reported my details online and a few weeks later, received a letter from the DVLA asking me to book a test at one of specific branches of specsavers. I can drive until I take the test, which is this Friday. Post test, Specsavers forward your results to the DVLA, who then let you know if you are ok to drive. I believe it's also possible to appeal.

[Iloveweighttraining]

Hi .I was diagnosed with Glaucoma in both eyes about 5 years ago and was advised by the optician to advise the DVLA straight away .The DVLA then send you to a nominated optician for their sight and field test ,the field test you do is using with both eyes .I informed my insurance company who noted it ,but it did not affect my premium ,make sure you inform them only if you are involved in an accident and you didnt inform them you leave yourself open to problems .I have to do the DVLA test every 3 years .

I'm due to have my first Trab operation on my right eye in two weeks and as long as that goes ok the other eye shortly after that .

Good luck Ray

[hoolohoops]

This has really confused me. I am treated for glaucoma, I have never had raised pressure in either eye but have optic nerve damin my left eye only. I now have a preserflo shunt in the left eye and am still prescribed drops for the right eye. My right eye has pressures 13/14 with no visual field changes. I have never been told to notify DVLA .... do I need to?? Or should I ask at my next appointment?

[Olalflel in reply to hoolohoops]

Hi, if you look on the DVLA website it lists all the eye conditions that are notifiable. If I remember rightly, many only need to be reported if they affect both eyes? I agree that sometimes this is confusing though - for ages I didn’t understand what Glaucoma was. However, my hospital send me a follow-up letter with details of the treatment/diagnosis -have you got one of those? I think it’s better to check things like driving licence etc yourself rather than rely on medical professionals.

Best wishes x

[hoolohoops in reply to Olalflel]

I think I am able to see them on the nhs app but I still don't really understand, my vision and pressures are unaffected in my right eye but I am treated with eye drops so do unsure really if that means I have glaucoma?? If I only had 1 eye (right eye) I wouldn't even be visiting the hospital!!

[Olalflel in reply to hoolohoops]

Hi,

Normally, the follow up letters from the hospital say ‘left eye’ - ‘right eye’ and then list pressures/ treatment etc. Somewhere it should say what the diagnosis for each eye is. If not, that’s what you could ask to be clarified. Regarding the DVLA, it depends on you condition rather than the outcome - I have Glaucoma in both eyes but, luckily, no loss of field vision. Good luck.