Licence revoked - DVLA said appointment wasn't... - Glaucoma UK

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Licence revoked - DVLA said appointment wasn't attended, but it was!

sunrisesunset profile image
21 Replies

Hello,

My dad had his DVLA eye appointment on 28th March 2023. We've been waiting for the results and a letter just came today saying that he never arranged and attended an appointment with Specsavers, so his licence has been revoked! I'm in shock. He hasn't heard the news yet. He needs his licence to drive to work with his tools, ladders, etc. He and my mum went on the day and even got there early. Unfortunately they didn't get a copy of the results. Please help me!

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sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset
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21 Replies
muddledme profile image
muddledme

It is obviously a careless mistake by Specsavers ? the Post Office ? the DVLA ?

Did you know about the special DVLA e mail ?:

glaucomaqueries@dvla.gov.uk.

If no quick responce then if you have time I would contact the chief executive of Specsavers or the media. They always hate publicity.

Have you seen all the recent comments about the system on here, especially the one from Paros ...'Driving' ?

Hope your Dad soon gets things sorted out,

Best wishes

sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset in reply to muddledme

Thanks, I'm just really worried. I'll email that address.

I've got googlemaps as proof that he went to specsavers and spent almost an hour there because he wanted to get there early. I've also got the email showing Specsavers sent their usual appointment feedback letter 2 days after the appointment. DVLA won't speak to me about it because I'm not him.

Helen_GlaucomaUK profile image
Helen_GlaucomaUKAdministrator in reply to sunrisesunset

I would check with the Specsavers store that they have sent your father's results to the DVLA. They can also send it again and the date will be on the test results, so don't worry about that. The email address muddledme advised is the one to contact the DVLA and I would also send them one explaining the situation.

sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK

Thank you, I wasn't sure if they would've kept the results or not. I thought he'd have to do the test again. My dad sounds calm. I'm panicking for both of us.

Helen_GlaucomaUK profile image
Helen_GlaucomaUKAdministrator

He shouldn't have to do the test again and they should just be able to print another one off. You are lovely to be so concerned for your father but this should be able to be sorted out.

sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK

Thank you. I worry very easily.

sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset

The DVLA were nice enough to give permission to drive while they investigate the matter further. We're so relieved! I wish they'd give more notice about revoked licences. The revocation was a day after the letter was dated. It's like they forgot that delivery takes days.

I'll send the DVLA the appointment texts and emails from Specsavers. I'll also send over the screenshot of googlemaps showing my dad went from our house to Specsavers and back home. Should I send anything else?

frankthebank profile image
frankthebank in reply to sunrisesunset

Why don't you just get it in writing from Specsavers that your Dad attended the appointment, go in to speak to them face to face if you can, they must have a record of attendance, I doubt the DVLA are interested in Google maps evidence, so this sounds like a stronger way to establish your case.

sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset in reply to frankthebank

I'll write to Specsavers. Thank you.

frankthebank profile image
frankthebank in reply to sunrisesunset

All the best, and well done for helping your Dad, I know these things are stressful

JustAmanda profile image
JustAmanda in reply to sunrisesunset

When you arrive you have to be registered and prove your identity with some form of evidence. Surely that must all be logged.

My understanding is that test results get sent through electronically, not in the post. I’m sure it’s resolvable. Good luck.

Greynortons profile image
Greynortons

My recent experience with Specsavers and DVLA. I have Glaucoma in both eyes I had a test at Specsavers in October 22 and my licence was withdrawn in mid Feb this year. I had too full tests/exams at two different independent ie not Specsavers which I passed/satisfied the vision requirements and I appealed in March after 6 wks I received another refusal. I went back to the optician went through all the documentation again with them and found I needed to submit full results of the eye test, not just saying I passed. I resubmitted all the info again and after 5 wks I received a licence valid for 3 years. My advice if you have a licence withdrawn get an independent test and exam with an ophthalmologist who has experience of appeals to DVLA my second one was great she knew precisely what documents, evidence was required, and don't give in at the first refusal.

My experience with Specsavers has not been good, they do not show you the results, the field of vision test is often in a cubicle with no sound insulation making concentration for 5 mins difficult and I suspect most of the staff are not qualified ophthalmologists.

I hope this helps.

sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset in reply to Greynortons

I'm sorry your experience was so poor. It's a shame that it took so long to get your licence back. They seem to have forgotten that some people need a car and licence for their job. They can't go on the bus or train with things like large toolbags, ladders, etc.

Icanstillsee profile image
Icanstillsee in reply to Greynortons

I had an horrendous experience with Specsavers and the DVLA. I got a letter of apology after I involved my local MP. I had no licence for 4 months while it was sorted out and it cost me a fortune in work missed and to keep my car on the road. I now advise anyone with any issues with either the DVLA or Specsavers to inform their MP as I believe there is a need for a review into both. Specsavers hold the sole contract for the DVLA and I've since discovered too that they hold the sole contract for hearing tests with the NHS!

swanlady123 profile image
swanlady123

How awful for you all-absolutely terrible -I think you need official apology from Specsavers-dont just leave it -also need to write to a newspaper- Specsavers need a wake up call- their slack attitude generally is unacceptable given that the consequences to the sufferer are life changing and immense!! So sorry to hear another cock up by specsavers!!!ugh!!!!

Hollyberry3 profile image
Hollyberry3

After I had the driving test at Specsavers, I received a letter from the DVLA to say I could continue driving. It took about 6 months to get the licence. Every time i phoned them, I was fobbed off, saying it was going through and just be patient. Then I was told it was "under review". I asked why it was under review when I had passed the field test. Then I found an email address on the website for complaints. I put down the whole saga. Within a day or two I received a phone call from a very nice man who apologised and said my application had been put in a box and forgotten about. From other xases I've heard about, I think the DVLA is shambolic.Maybe you should email a complaint too.

sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset in reply to Hollyberry3

That's horrible. 6 months of the unknown. The long wait is horrible. I knew that any day we could get bad news, and then the envelope finally came and it was even worse than I'd expected! The DVLA via email said the investigation is under urgent review, so we'll see how it goes. At least my dad has permission to drive. The lovely woman on the phone sorted it out. I checked online and his licence was reinstated until the investigation is done. I'll keep in mind what you and swanlady123 said about posting it online and complaints.

sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset

Update: My dad has to resit the test. Back to the nervous wait again...

NewCardinal profile image
NewCardinal

I assume he did attend ta Specsavers branch that is licencsed to do the DVLA test and he did all the relevant components? When they have done it, they submit it all online now to DVLA

sunrisesunset profile image
sunrisesunset in reply to NewCardinal

The DVLA wasn't happy with how Specsavers did the test the first time. My dad had to do the test again. Someone else at Specsavers did the test this time. We're just waiting for DVLA's decision now.

Quiet_Lin profile image
Quiet_Lin

What a saga! Hope you had a copy of the test result this time.

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