I submitted an application for a Driving licence renewal to DVAL as I'm over 70 and have been referred for a DVLA eye test at Specsavers.
I have had glaucoma for over 25 years and have been monitored and reviewed regularly all that time by a local Eye Infirmary Glaucoma Consultant without problems (including Fields tests) - and although the hospital staff told me they have a duty to report to the DVLA if my condition would jeopardise my driving - they have never said it was necessary to do so!
I rang the DVLA and told them that, and was informed that the Specsavers was 'procedure'?
My query is - why would they do that when my Consultant is the most appropriate person to comment on the effect of my glaucoma on my driving?
I have read some horror and Kafka-esque stories about the web one can get caught up in with Specsavers and the DVLA on this and I am very anxious!
Another query is - should the worst happen and they threaten to, or do revoke my licence - how likely is it that the DVLA would accept my Consultants assurances - or do I have to pass the Specsavers test regardless??
Would it help if I got my Consultant to do a positive fields test now and send it to DVLA - before I go to Specsavers?
Who interprets the Specsavers eye test results anyway? It can't be Specsavers as they are not qualified I would presume - is there a medical peson at DVLA??
The whole thing sounds like a nightmare.....help?
Mike
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mike5399
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You only need to inform DVLA that you have glaucoma, if you have it in BOTH eyes. As soon as you let them know you have glaucoma in both eyes it is an automatic requirement to do an esterman field test at specsavers. The result determines the recall frequency to repeat the test.
If you only have glaucoma in one eye then I don’t know why they are requiring you to do the test. I haven’t had to do the over 70 reapplication yet ( although getting close!) so I’m not sure what the form asks - eg do they ask if you have glaucoma in one or both eyes? If you think you haven’t said that it is only in one eye, it might be worth calling again and stressing that point.
Of course, if you do have it both eyes, you should have been advised to report it as soon as second eye was diagnosed.
Just to pick up on you your other questions. As far as I’m aware, if you are referred to specsavers for a test, then you must pass their test. If you do fail, you can appeal and do another test.
The test you do with your consultant is a totally different test from the esterman test done by specsavers. DVLA require a 120 degree field of vision, tested using both eyes. You are normally allowed 3 attempts, with and without glasses. Normal hospital and optician test is a much narrower field (under 30 degrees) with one eye at a time. Consequently I doubt there is any benefit in submitting a test from your consultant in advance, they will still insist on a specsavers esterman test.
Specsavers staff do not interpret the result, it is sent electronically to DVLA after you complete the test and is assessed by the DVLA medical team. The assessment criteria is on the DVLA website and there have been some recent discussions in this forum on this topic you may want to review if you want to get into the detail.
Hi Jazzers - thanx so much for the useful information.
Yes, I have glaucoma in both eyes, and so a Specsavers test seems inevitable!
I think the over-70's medical questionnaire is the same as the under 70's?
I can't recall if it asked about one or both eyes, just if I had glaucoma?
I will ask for a copy of the results - thanx.
One more thing - I've seen comments on this site that state the test should use ONLY 10DB (?) light intensity not varying intensities in the fields? I can't find the DVLA standard that states so - is that a correct statement?
If Specsavers suggest the lights should be varying intensities, should I insist and/or refuse it?
Yes, the DVLA test is called an Esterman test and as such the light intensity is steady and not variable. It is a standard test and Specsavers can't change anything about it so don't worry about that. It is actually brighter generally than the hospital test
You should have told the DVLA a long time ago if you have Glaucoma in both eyes or in one eye and another condition, listed on gov.uk under eye disease in the other eye. failure to do so makes you liable to a £5000 fine !!!. They *might* ask awkward questions when they decide how long your post 70 licence is issued for.
Further to the other replies. When you go to Specsavers for the DVLA test make sure you emphasise that you want a print out of your results. You are entitled to this and I have never had a problem with our local branch, but I do believe from other reports on this site, that some branches are reluctant to give this.
Sadly, the DVLA insist on using their partner agency, Specsavers.
Just make sure that everything is right on the day: that your seat and chin rest are in the right positions. On the day they can repeat the test 3 times and submit the best result. You may choose to wear your specs, or not wear them. I chose without because I wear varifocals and my rims are quite dark.
Just make sure you’re relaxed, or you might click false positives. I did this and was recalled twice. So rest assured it’s not your only opportunity. If your consultant is happy, you should pass. Just stay relaxed.
I've had to do the DVLA twice, due to my glaucoma in both eyes, (3 yearly intervals).
First time at my local Specsavers that I get my glasses from, all went well, and my licence was renewed. 3 years later this Specsavers not on the DVLA list, why I don't know, so I had to pick another branch, completely different experience and I lost my licence for 2 months before an appeal got it back.
I went back to my local branch who can do the test although not on the DVLA list and result was fine as was another one at another one which was on the DVLA list, armed with these results my appeal was successful.
If your consultant feels that your eyes are ok for driving then you should be ok, although this is not acceptable for the DVLA. My advice is to pay for a test at your local Specsavers, preferably one that is on the DVLA list, about £30, to get accustomed, to it and get a printout of the results, my experience is, as the test is not for the DVLA the optician will give you an opinion on the result, you are then forearmed with knowledge of what' s involved, if you find the conditions of the test feel unsatisfactory ( as I did on my "failed" test go to another branch, as there are several posts regarding the conditions at some Specsavers.
Mine was diagnosed 10 years ago now and at that time you could do the test for the DVLA at your local opticians which was great for me as my nearest Specsavers is 30 miles away in any direction. You must inform the DVLA if gluacoma in both eyes as soon as you have a diagnosis and I was told to that by my opticians and by my consultant do that, otherwise you could face a fine of over a £1000 pounds, and that was 10 years ago now. I suppose I will have to have another DVLA check when I reach 70, I got to keep my licence with no restrictions. Best of luck.
As my Consultant at the Glaucoma clinic for the last 20+ years said many times that I need not inform the DVLA unless the clinic review tests show that my eyesight had deteriorated to the extent it would making driving dangerous - AND that he was under an obligation to do so - but hasn't needed to do so yet???
You have to tell the DVLA yourself, your consultant and opticians will not tell them you have to do it. Look at the rules on DVLA website they say that you have to report gluacoma if you have it in both eyes too, and there is a booklet on this site that you can download for free, it saids on that as well.
I was diagnosed with juvenile glaucoma over 50 years ago but did not report this to the DVLA until 10 years ago following a chance remark by the technician who did my visual field test at the hospital eye clinic which made me aware that I should notify the DVLA. Unfortunately I then failed the first DVLA test, which was done by an independent optometrist before the Specsavers contract came into play. . I had a repeat test by my own optometrist which resulted in a successful appeal and my licence has since been renewed every three years until last year when I was only given a one year licence. My Specsavers test this year resulted in my licence being revoked. However, my Consultant arranged for another Esterman test to be done in the Community Eye Clinic where I have my glaucoma reviews and after submitting this to the DVLA I received a three year licence again. Therefore I suggest that it you do happen to fail the Specsavers test you can arrange for an independent optometrist to do another test and/or request a report from your consultant.
I was in the same situation and had glaucoma in one eye then a few years later in the other eye. I didn’t know that I had to tell the DVLA and I panicked. But I was not asked how long I had it but I did use the advice on this site to help me through the process as it was stressful.
I sent the form to the DVLA then received a letter telling me to book the test at Specsavers. I found that using the same type of machine as was used at the hospital, it was called a Humphrey. Not all Specsavers branches had that one, so I chose the one that did.
I was not happy with the first member of staff, who clearly did not understand about the test. ( I heard a girl telling him what to do! ) So I refused to start the test until I was happy that the trained optometrist was doing the test.
I did wear my glasses as I usually wear contact lenses but sometimes my eyes can be quite dry and my vision is less clear.
I failed the first time as I had too many false positives! But the second time was fine. The optometrist was very reassuring and said she didn’t have any concerns but couldn’t tell me the result. I got a letter from the DVLA three weeks later. My license was continued with no restrictions but I am 65 so I am not sure if it will just be until I am 70 or three years until I do it again.
I also told my insurance company and it didn’t affect my premium
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