Notifying DVLA

[Crafty-gran]

just been diagnosed a couple of weeks ago I have normal tension glaucoma

My consultant said I would have to inform the DVLA and she would send me the details in her letter

From experience letters from the hospital can take weeks to arrive.

Do I need to wait for this letter or am I better contacting the DVLA asap

[Beecalmed]

Hi Crafty-gran! Firstly welcome to the Glaucoma club! It can be daunting when you are first diagnosed. If you need support we are here.👍🏻

So, often a copy of your hospital letter goes to your GP. In this new digital age often they get your records updated quickly within hours or usually just a few days. So if you haven’t received your letter than you could call your GP and ask if it’s arrived on file and if they can give you a print out.

I do think I would wait for something in writing on your diagnosis as this will confirm that you have a glaucoma diagnosis in both eyes, which is the trigger for DVLA to test to see if your vision is safe for you to drive. The fact your consultant has advised you to notify is helpful, not all consultants make it that clear, but it’s such a big deal to move to a medical driving license, that I would have something in writing before I start the process to be 100% sure.

[Crafty-gran]

Thank you

I’ll wait for the letter

I will get the same letter from the consultant as sent to GP

[Eahldt]

As said you only need to inform the DVLA if you have a diagnosis of glaucoma in both eyes.

[Crafty-gran in reply to Eahldt]

Yes it’s in both eyes

But going to wait for my letter

[Icanstillsee]

Don’t rush to inform the DVLA. Wait for the letter. Be warned that not all Specsavers test the same way, ( they have sole contract for the DVLA) tho they are supposed to be standardised. I had ny licence revoked, and the appeal process was very slow. I had a car standing on the drive I used for 3 months. I ended up getting my MP involved, and had an apology because of him.

[Crafty-gran in reply to Icanstillsee]

Thank you

I’m going to wait for the letter

It was the consultant who told me I had to contact them as I have it in both eyes

I just thought I’d be putting drops in my eyes and it would be all good

I’ve learnt so much on here already

[Hidden]

Hi Crafty - gran, I am 2 years on from the same NGT, in both eyes, diagnosis. Due to the pandemic, it is 3 years since my optician told me I had optic nerve damage. It was 16 months later that SPECSAVERS provided an opportunity for me to do the DVLA test and it was 20 months later that I received the result and the letter stopping me driving. The consultant didn't mention informing the DVLA. I was very conscientious, so informed the DVLA and my insurer immediately. In those dark days, I was convinced that I would never drive again, but I soon became frustrated with walking, getting lifts and using the limited bus routes. In those 20 months that 'the system' took to inform me that I was poor at doing the field vision test, I was driving minibuses on a daily basis. My partner, who was a professional driver and had been a passenger as I drove us along motorways encouraged me to challenge the result. He was right, I had talked myself into being incapable of driving and although it was not 'a walk in the park' due to the well - documented issues at the DVLA and post - pandemic issues, I was allowed to drive again 4 months later. I do not drive minibuses any longer, but I have passed the regular driving assessment required by my employer. I trust this judgement far more than the DVLA FV test which I did pass at an alternative SPECSAVERS, where the staff were encouraging and I was wearing rimless glasses . Don't rush into the system, I'm sure you'll be fine. Be assertive at SPECSAVERS. I wish I had asked for a break. I asked to do one of the 3 without my glasses when I was paying and got 100%, which improved my confidence. Ask this group for help.