DVLA Esterman test

[monks100]

I am 73 and as my licence was coming up for renewal I received a letter from the DVLA to apply for a new one.

In the letter it stated that I could simply complete the online questionaire or, if I had any of the listed conditions (one being Glaucoma) I should complete the form and return it to them by post with my licence.

In my ignorance, I was under the impression that they would simply contact my hospital and obtain the required information from them and send me a new licence once they obtained the results. As my pressures were well under that of a person without the condition and having had taken eye drops and also had laser treatment I was quite relaxed about this. My general eyesight being very good according to my specialist.

To my horror the DVLA informed me that I would be required to take an eye test at a branch of Specsavers which would conduct a test which was specific to the DVLA. I discovered that this is a new requirement for all Glaucoma patients.

What I found strange is that there are many people who after reaching 70 do not have to take one of these tests, even though their eye sight may fall well below the driving requirements and may not be good enough to even be driving at all!

All anyone who is less than honest needs to do is say they have none of the above conditions and they receive a new licence without question and continue driving without all the stress and posibility of losing their ability to drive.

To put this into context, a relative of mine has only one eye and suffers from diabetes too but is still allowed to drive, which makes no sense if a person's test is deemed a failure due to one eye falling below the specific requirement. Maybe have the offending eye removed and all is well?

I would fully understand that if ALL those reaching the age of 70 were required to undertake the test, but it appears that only those with Glaucoma are coming under scrutiny.

I took the test a few days ago and my best reading on the Easterman machine was 118 out of 120 points. I was given two more attempts which came out lower, but I didn't feel as I had been given sufficient rest time between each test which I am sure affected the results. I am sure that most drivers of any age with good eyesight would also miss a few points too.

I am still awaiting a decision on this, but if I fail then I will appeal and ask for another test. This is an extremely stressful situation for me.

I could say a lot more on the rights and wrongs of this but I will leave it there.

[Supersec]

Unfortunately this is not new requirement. Glaucoma has been one of the DVLA notifiable conditions for many years regardless of your age unless it only affects one eye. Everyone who notifies the DVLA of this is required to have a regular visual field test. . I agree that it feels as if you are being punished for your honesty but if you do not report it you can be fined up to £1000 and may be prosecuted if you have an accident. You will find many posts on this forum regarding issues surrounding this requirement

[monks100 in reply to Supersec]

I do realise it was always notifiable along with the fines etc, but as I stated, the DVLA now have a new system which is far more robust and set to their own specifications. This will have the effect of targeting those with Glaucoma who have no symptoms (as myself) and in many cases with lower eye pressures than people without Glaucoma. So because we have Glaucoma we get caught in the trap. I know people driving without any notifiable eye conditions who couldn't hit a barn door with a shovel, but they will never be tested. Low hanging fruit in my opinion. I think ALL drivers over 70 should have to go through the test if they feel it is necessary. If you read my post you will see the disparities which are very one sided. I am sure there are many other posts but this is my personal experience and I want to give it.

[Mangobrain in reply to monks100]

Yes I think there is an issue as well because I had the operation to remove the excess fluid from my eye by putting a shunt under eyelid pressure in that eye is now very good but hospital states you still have to report to DVLA that you have glaucoma in both eyes. When I had last check with Specsavers the results were that my driving licence was only renewed for a year ? Be careful with Specsavers as not all are doing test same. Last time my chin was required to be placed on the pointed area between the rests. And the brightness of dots was not at the required level for test, which is different from normal eye test. I did try to dispute with DVLA but no joy.

[hosbay in reply to monks100]

You said your result only showed 2 misses. Did you retain your licence and do you know what the fail criteria is?

[monks100 in reply to hosbay]

I had to send my licence back as I needed a trailer classification.

The fail criteria is what they say it is as it depends on where the misses are in your eyes.

I did received my new licence btw.

[2712]

Hopefully you will get a positive reply from DVLA, as already stated my license was revoked although I consider my eyesight is excellent, for a person aged 77. I play golf 3-4 times a week and 99% of the seniors of my club rely on me to see their golf ball see it go off and land without without any problems, I’m just lucky that my wife gets early to drive me to the golf club and picks me up when I’m ready to return home. Losing my license and reliesing I will never be allowed to drive again is very stressful, frustrating and life changing, just because you miss a few lights out of a 120, I still don’t know what the pass number is.

[monks100 in reply to 2712]

My wife doesn't drive and requires hospital appointments due to Cancer treatment. If I lost my licence it would devastate us for many reasons. As I said, so many who have bad eyesight and shouldn't be driving but can because they are not in this specific category. This wasn't thought out as usual. How many light did you miss? Did you get a printout?

[2712 in reply to monks100]

Yes I managed to get a copy from spec savers after them having to get authorisation from the DVLA out of the 3 tests the worst was missing seeing 8 lights from 120

[monks100 in reply to 2712]

Specsavers gave me all three when I asked the best was 118 out of 120 but the other two following that were 117 and 116 because my eyes were getting tired. I will fight this to the end if necessary. Like you my eyesight is extremely good and normally I don't even need glasses.

[2712 in reply to monks100]

Yes very frustrating I only need glasses for reading I consider my eyesight for distance is more than adequate, I’m hoping my surgeon will supply a letter saying he supports my drivering license return

[monks100 in reply to 2712]

I hope you're successful. This is a scam to get drivers off the road I am sure. There's no other reason I can think of to why those with Glaucoma with no symptoms are being targeted in this way.

[Beecalmed]

Hi! I agree it’s very distressing. I’m on my second 3 yr medical license.

So your test. Obviously DVLA are the only people to be able to tell you how you’ve done. But the driving standards are broadly that you can miss up to 3 points in a cluster. The fact you missed only 2 points suggests on that at least you might be ok. Plus your visual acuity is also taken into consideration. But there are other considerations like how many false positives you pressed etc that can also change the outcome. But in that situation hopefully they would retest. What had your drs said about you driving? Have you asked them? They won’t take responsibility but they usually will give you guidance on what you should do.

I agree that ALL people should be required to be tested regularly to check their vision is fit to drive. But budgets likely dictate they have to target the obvious suspects only. It’s annoying.

I just wish Specsavers didn’t have the DVLA contract as I feel that selling specs takes priority to any eye tests in many of their branches.

A test that can have life changing consequences shouldn’t be done on a high street chain. You shouldn’t be distracted by noise or movement. You should have someone who is trained in counselling and dealing with individuals in highly emotional, stressful situations, with potential life changing outcomes, accompanying you. You should have a trained and qualified ophthalmologist conducting the actual test. If we had that confidence and support in the testing I’m sure we wouldn’t all be posting on here!

Well good luck with your results. I hope you have a good outcome. 👍🏻

[monks100 in reply to Beecalmed]

Thanks for your response and I agree with everything you said. The person conducting my test looked like he's just left school and in my opinion didn't leave sufficient time between each test. I am in the process of obtaining all documentation from the hospital and marking any websites that may be of help to me should things go awry. Getting my ducks lined up. A few things you mentioned I will take into account too, so it's good to get feed back from others in similar positions which also relieves some of the stress too. I read on one site that the DVLA reduced their list recently because any large scale testing would literally ban most drivers from the road! What does that say? As I said earlier they are just picking low hanging fruit. I also hope that our conversation may be of help to anyone else in a similar situation. This is so wrong. Regards

[JustAmanda]

Sadly, my own story is not dissimilar.

When changing the address on my driving licence, I foolishly declared I had well-managed ocular hypertension, which isn’t even a declarable condition. Thereafter I began a saga of DVLA Specsavers tests and was recalled twice for reasons unknown to myself. As with yourself, I felt my vision was excellent!

By the the second recall I was really stressed, and full of doubts about the procedure. So I changed Specsavers branches and told the new one how anxious the procedure was making me. They couldn’t have been kinder. They ensured the seat was at the right height and centralised the chin rest. Remember, the machine is set up for testing eyes separately, so I assume doing the test from the left or the right will influence your field of view. I passed my third test, seeing every flashing light!

So don’t be daunted. The test conditions and anxiety can influence your performance. The important thing is to make them aware. Of my three tests, the personnel and testing conditions were very different. Relaxation, and quiet, are key.

Regrettably, this is the DVLA’s process and what your consultant might say seems to be irrelevant. Hopefully, you can get another test at another branch. But there is no way round the rules. And, yes, I’m sure there will be many with a variety of far worse conditions driving, because they’ve never been tested!

Don’t give up, and please let us know.

[Supersec in reply to JustAmanda]

If the DVLA revoke your licence because of the results of the test done at Specsavers, you are allowed to submit a repeat test done by an independent optometrist (at your own expense). This should be explained in the letter you receive from the DVLA asking you to return your licence. Unfortunately though following this the DVLA may then ask you to go back to Specsavers for another test! . I have had my licence revoked twice (once before the contract with Specsavers) but have had it restored both times after submitting an independent test. Unfortunately this all takes time which means you could be without your licence for two or three months.

[monks100]

Thank you for your response.

[Gilbert1908]

Thank you for your post,it was very helpful,

[Ibstockblue]

if you scored 118 out of 120 you have nothing to worry about, by the criteria to pass it would be impossible to fail the Easterman test with that score. Only the best out of 3 is presented to the DVLA, so the two lower ones won’t count

[monks100 in reply to Ibstockblue]

Thanks for that.

[JuliaWendy in reply to monks100]

I'm really appreciating being able to read of everyone's experience. I've been told I need to have the Glaucoma text at Specsavers and I am completely stressed and anxious about it.

I have to wait a few weeks which is making it worse. My general eyesight is not brilliant but I pass all that's needed to ensure I can drive safely and have been reassured on that by my optician. I have not detected any difference in my eyesight since I was told I have Glaucoma and my ability to drive is fine.

I do hope all works out for you and I so identify with how you're feeling. It's been so helpful to read all the other replies.

[woodthorpe]

I understand your problem all too well and how worrying it is. As regards the Esterman binocular visual fields assessment, Specsavers have an exclusive contract with the DVLA. The supervising optometrist should be able to offer an opinion; optometrists know the criteria as regards driving standards, and in your case I think this could have provided some reassurance. My own application for driving licence renewal took 12 full weeks, but why the DVLA takes so long to assess visual field results + the other relevant information is a total mystery. (Please don't forget to take your distance spectacles, (if worn), to assess the visual acuities). I contacted my Member of Parliament about the very long delay, and I must say he was very helpful. I was by no means the first of his constituents to request his intervention. I do hope this response is helpful - you're not alone.