DVLA vision test

[BadRob]

I am past 70 so needed to apply for license renewal. I know I have glaucoma in one eye so when I filled out the form online I ticked the box for eye conditions. I’m pretty certain that one of the questions was one or both eyes, I ticked one eye only. Few week later got the dreaded DVLA letter. This surprised me because if the problem is one eye only I am not legally obliged to report this.

Anyways, did the test and only missed one point. Four weeks later I get another letter telling me the test was invalid and not to DVLA requirements. What does that mean??? Does Specsavers not know how to do the tests?

I have the results from my ophthalmologist which states I am not required to inform DVLA. But still DVLA insists on second test.

What is strange, is the call centre woman told me I didn’t have to do the second test if I didn’t want to!!

Does the DVLA have access to all our health records?

[BadRob]

I forgot to add...I called the DVLA (had to wait an hour...) and had a long conversation with the call centre, which I am sure is not in Wales, explained my mistake but they were adamant do another test. After several times when she went of to consult someone, she said I didn't have to do the test if I didn't want to! Eh??

If my consultant says only GC in one eye and not required to notify DVLA, why are they insisting on the extra test when the first one was almost 100%? It's almost as if they think my consultant is telling porkies.

[SIMONE75 in reply to BadRob]

I might be wrong but I’m almost sure you didn’t need to inform them abd you shouldn’t be doing a test. It sounds as if they might have people in call centre who are t properly trained. If you don’t need to take the test and you don’t have glaucoma in the other eye then don’t. Glaucoma Association can help you on this. Ivelukd give them a call.

[BadRob in reply to SIMONE75]

Thanks for your comments. I will call GA on Monday. TBH I don't mind doing another test as I'm sure I can get a near perfect result. It will be hilarious if DVLA reject the second test (assuming Specsavers did it right on the first test).

[Littletreasures]

Your service from the DVLA sounds like it’s been a shambles. This must be causing you a lot of worry and stress. You might want to consider putting in a formal complaint via their complaints procedure.

[BadRob in reply to Littletreasures]

It is pretty stressful. The call to DVLA was especially stressful. The woman went off several times to consult 'someone' but each time they seemed to dismiss the fact that my ophthalmologist consultant had written to me stating I didn't need to inform DVLA. I admit I made a mistake in reporting the issue, but since DVLA have access to my health records they would see the results of all my eye tests. What floored me was the woman at DVLA suggested I should perhaps not take the second test!

[JustAmanda in reply to BadRob]

Once in the cycle, it’s almost impossible to escape!

I have well managed occular hypertension, and foolishly disclosed it when changing the address on my driving licence! As a result I got caught up in the DVLA tests, which kept being inconclusive. It transpires I was clicking too often, due to nervousness because so much was at stake.

I know my vision is good. Both my consultant and optician have confirmed that, but I was recalled twice before finally passing (and seeing all the lights). It just goes to show how anxiety can cause one to perform badly. What I’m less sure of now is whether I will now have to repeat these tests every three years, due to age.

We all need to be mega careful what we disclose when not required to do so.

[BadRob in reply to JustAmanda]

It would be an interesting situation if say one had too many missed points on one eye and zero on good eye, then DVLA revokes the licence. If one took it to the magistrates court, then the DVLA could potentially be revoking a licence on something which is not legally required. It would look like the DVLA is saying the consultant and the VFT test is lying???

[NewCardinal]

With regards to Specsavers - did you go to one of the DVLA approved ones? Only certain Specsavers are authorised

[BadRob in reply to NewCardinal]

Yes I did, went to the nearest on the list.

[BadRob]

I wonder if not wearing my specs made the test invalid? I said to the operator that my closeup vision with glasses is not good, so I did the test without specs. I don't see the difference myself either way, since VFT is not an acuity test.

[Dumyat26 in reply to BadRob]

Our local Specsavers always allow me to do test with and without glasses, and if required several times.

[eye4thefuture]

Hi. I like you am over 70 and only have Glaucoma in my left eye and have just recently renewed my licence. The last time I renewed it 3 yrs. ago I didn't have a Glaucoma diagnosis so I did know that you do not need to inform them if in one eye only and I was apprehensive as to what questions they would ask in the on line form but the only question they did ask was "have you any medical condition that affects both eyes" So that was a no. They didn't ask If I had Glaucoma . and I was issued another licence . I know it doesn't help you but might help others. I sincerely hope your licence is sorted soon. Best Wishes

[Dorsetjohn]

You need to contact [e-mail] to sort out your issues with the DVLA,,

When I lost my licensee due to Specsavers not doing the test right, the ordinary contacts at DVLA were useless, but glaucomaqueries responded straight away to my email and I got my licensee back in a few days.

[BadRob in reply to Dorsetjohn]

Thanks, I have been looking for an email at DVLA, but of course!! nothing on their website. I will write today and forward the email from my consultant.

[redlall in reply to Dorsetjohn]

Could you please let me know what was not done right in the test by the Specsavers. In my recent test with them I could not see the red dot on certain tests and when I complained I was told by the operator that she was not sure what was wrong as she had never done the test herself.

[Dorsetjohn in reply to redlall]

There could be many reasons the test was done wrong, Was this test for the DVLA or just a routine eye test at Specsavers? Was it single eye, or both eyes? As you outlined the operator was not used to doing the test, the machine may have been wrongly calibrated, or even faulty. In my case it was untrained operator was did not adust the chin rest to the correct position for a binocular test.If it was for your DVLA test, you should immediately get another test or even two at other Specsavers, preferably ones that are on the DVLA list and get a copy of the result, and providing they are satisfactory, you could use them as evidence for an appeal.

If they were not for the DVLA I suggest you don't use that branch again

[BadRob]

To everyone here and the person who said email DVLA glaucoma email, RESULT!!! Just been informed my medical records have been updated, no tests required and licence is on the way.

[YoungontheOutside]

Hi, I’ve only just seen this post (by searching DVLA). How long did you have to wait for an email reply from DVLA? I have been waiting nearly three weeks now & although they replied pretty promptly, it was only to say that the caseworker would be in touch with me ‘shortly’.