Hello,my son has Glaucoma in both eyes and recently had the DVLA eye test done for the first time.
He had a letter last week saying that his driving licence was being revoked, but they did not include his test results. Is this normal? Surely they have to prove their findings?
My son is devastated as he relies on his car for work. His last pressure results in February were fine and his eye drops were working, so this is a real shock.
Any advice would be great, thank you
Hi Lupin62,
I had a similar experience last year when I was diagnosed with Glaucoma in both eyes. However my eyesight is fine.
The rules may be different in your son's case if they are taking away his driving licence but this was my experience below.
I did the required DVLA eye test at Specsavers and got a copy of the results at the time. I missed one dot on the eye test and the DVLA said they were putting me on a medical review driving licence.
I disputed it and paid to have a second test at Specsavers which cost me around £35 . I got 100% in the second test. I submitted the second test results to the DVLA and they eventually dropped the medical review licence so I've kept my normal driving licence.
Your son could do the same. He could contact the DVLA and ask to retake the DVLA eye test privately at a Specsavers and get a copy of the test results and resubmit it to the DVLA.
He could always ask the DVLA for a copy of his first test results under freedom of information which they should give him.
The DVLA were not helpful though out so it was difficult to work out what to do.
All the best,
Bob
Good response Bob, however my branch of Specsavers showed me my results and discussed them but wouldn’t allow me to have a copy (I missed three dots on the periphery of my field of vision so I accepted the 3 year medical licence - rightly or wrongly 🤷♂️)
Yes fair enough Mickey if there is a genuine issue with a someone's eyesight . I do think it's very easy to make a mistake when taking these eye tests and paying for a second test and seeing the results is an option worth considering. I also think that the DVLA should be more transparent about their decision making and should share the test results if requested.
Agreed 👍🏻
Hi Billericaymickey
Was that three dots on both eyes you missed on your visual field test. I have missed four on the one eye and five on the other would this be classed as a fail.
Although my tests are improving each time I go. I think this will be the last one I take and then I will have to submit my licence . Look forward to receiving your feedback Thanks
Ivle
Hi Lucinda if I recall the dots I missed were on the edge of my field of vision so not regarded as significant, so the way I interpret that is it is not the number of dots necessarily but where they were in your field of vision - happy to be corrected on that
I was diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes 8 years ago when I had already lost some peripheral vision. Since then I have done my utmost to protect my vision and take my drops regularly, but still feel it's gradually deteriorating.
I have managed to retain a 3 year medical driving licence, the latest being last week. After advice on this site, I asked Specsavers for a copy of my test results. I was told to apply via the Specsavers website, which I did, and it was received within days. They are obliged to provide this via the freedom of information act.
Specsavers wouldn't discuss my specific results with me, but they did offer me several attempts as I had obviously missed some dots. I was very grateful for this. I hope you were granted the same.
I would definitely appeal and if you feel the Specsavers branch didn't handle your appointment well, try a different branch.
Good luck! I can imagine how you feel as I was preparing myself to lose my licence and the impact it would have on my life.
It's unfair and unreasonable that Specsavers don't supply a printed copy of the test results at the time of the test. It creates the possibility of Specsavers and/or the DVLA inadvertently corrupting the results, which could be easily challenged if the driver was provided with the results at the time of test.
Each time I have my DVLA test done at Specsavers I ask for a printout copy of the visual field test results and they give it to me. Just sound authoritative. There's no reason why you shouldn't have a copy. If you have a regular eye test done at any opticians they give you a copy of your results which is your prescription for glasses if you need them!
Thank you very much for your replies. I will pass this information on to my son.
If the licence is not restored do contact the RNIB helpline to find out whether there is any assistance to continue working via the Access to work scheme
Specsavers have never given me a copy of my DVLA test results. How can I get them.
I also had my licence revoked this year. I telephoned Specsavers and requested a copy of my results and they arranged for me to pick it up. I also sent an email to GlaucomaQueries@dvla.gov.uk and they emailed me a copy. I was then able to show the results to my own optometrist who repeated the test. As this was borderline he arranged for me to have a review in the Community Eye Clinic where I have my glaucoma checks. I had another test done there which the consultant said met the required guidelines so I sent it off to the DVLA and got my licence back for another three years. It’s definitely worth getting another test done by an independent optometrist and this option should have been suggested by the DVLA in the letter they sent revoking the licence.
I suggest that he contacts DVLA and asks for re-test. Perhaps he could also speak to optician who carried out the test to enquire if their findings were such that DVLA would reject the application . The test was paid for by DVLA so they have no obligation to tell you but may be helpful.
It wasn't clear whether your son used the car to get to and from work or whether he drives for work ...taxi, bus driver. Different rules apply to transport drivers.
Appealing DVLA test results
dvla test
DVLA question
Unexpected revoke of driving licence....
DVLA Eye Test
