Have just failed DVLA Field of Vision Test

[Chris348]

This has meant that my driving license has not been renewed. There must be something I can do but have no clue what. Have no symptoms.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. You can make an informal appeal.

65% of people who make an informal appeal have the initial decision overturned and they are asked to reapply for their driving licence.

Arrange for the test to be repeated at an optician of your choosing. You will have to pay for the test.

If you haven't got your Specsavers test results already, the branch you had the initial test will be able to supply you with copies. Some branches tell customers that this is not possible but we have been advised by the DVLA in the past that it is available. If you still have issues of obtaining copies, you can get them from the DVLA.

It is helpful to have copies, so that you can take them along to your private appointment. They can then compare against their own results. If they feel it is worth appealing they will tell you, but if the test results are very similar to the ones from specsavers then there is a good chance that the DVLA will still advise you that the licence is revoked. If the optometrist feels it is worth appealing, send a copy of the latest visual field test to the DVLA enclosing a facing letter explaining that you wish to make an informal appeal against their decision in revoking your driving licence.

[Chris348 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks awfully for the very prompt reply.

I presume that any appeal must provide medical or test evidence to show the state of my vision. Surely I cannot appeal without this? Any ideas where I can go to get further evidence.

Do you know if opticians these days all have the test kit that would keep DVLA happy?

Again, many thanks for your help.

Chris

[CUFCblues in reply to Chris348]

Feel your pain Chris going through same hassle myself since failing DVLA VFT back in April.

Not all opticians carry out same field test that DVLA require, found this out after ringing around few opticians in area who said it would be best to do a repeat test with Specsavers, you don't have to use same branch so check out other branches in area if you think that might help.

Go back for another test, you'll have to pay for it which costs £32, if results are better keep it and try to get supportive evidence that your vision is fine to drive from a consultant if possible, then send this in together with your recent VFT with a covering letter saying you wish to appeal.

I've done just this, DVLA wrote back to say I would have to reapply for my licence but there was no need to fill out usual medical form, they asked for names of my Dr also my Consultant so assume they are writing to them before deciding to issue a licence, it's all very stressful but it's only way to get them to reverse their decision. Good luck.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Chris348]

All of the information needed to make an informal appeal is on my reply to you. All opticians have the equipment to do the DVLA test, but you will probably need to phone around to find an optician that is will to do it for you.

[KitMcG in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

What, specifically, is the criteria to pass the test, do you know? Everything I’ve seen seems very vague.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to KitMcG]

Please find a link to our booklet of driving and glaucoma. You can either download or order a booklet. All our literature is free. glaucoma.uk/product/driving...

[KitMcG]

yes, I’ve read the booklet, but still none the wiser about what qualifies as a pass or fail on the VF test.

[Chris348 in reply to KitMcG]

Am trying to find my way through this matter at present, although it seems like swimming through treacle. Have written to Ophthalmology at our local hospital who have been monitoring my Glaucoma for years now to get their view and to our local GP to see if they know of any local Ophthalmologists ( I guess they will be private) who could assist and to DVLA to get a copy of my results. I do not know at present if the problem is the Specsavers FoV test, or is it really my eyesight?

Have not yet had the chance to read the Glaucoma driving booklet, but will do so asap. Thanks to all who have replied.

[ODTAA]

Unless you have been told by DVLA that you must not drive, and have applied for your licence renewal, you can contiue to drive. I am no longer allowed to drive, and have given up battling with DVLA. I never try to deal with them by phone. It takes ages, you don't know who you are speaking to, and there is no record of what either party has said. Do it by email or letter. I think that the Esterman test (at most Specsavers) bears no relarion to the needs of a driver. Staring at a fixed spot for about 5 minutes is stressful, and would never happen when driving. Tiny pin-pricks of light lasting about 1/5th second are only comparable to a stone being thrown up by a vehicle in front. Several times in my 70 years driving experience this has happened to me, and I have never seen the stone, being aware of it only when I heard the bang. The next smallest object to spot might be a small ball (possibly followed by a small child), but that is moving, and doesn't disappear after 1/5th second. When driving, the eyes are moving constantly, seeing what is in front, behind, the next lane, speed limits, actual speed, directions, roundabouts - the list is endless, and the Esterman test bears no resemblance to any of this. The DVLA applies the law, and presumably the law sets out that a VF test is required in certain circumstances, and the Esterman test is the result. The law needs to be changed, and that must be up to government. Write to your MP? Will it do any good? Not in my lifetime! (I am 92, and every year up to last Christmas, I have driven from South Yorks to Land's End airport twice a year.)