DVLA driving query

[Mimi987]

I am having trouble getting any info from DVLA re renewing my driving licence.

Not sure this is relevant for Health Unlocked but I would appreciate help.

I applied to renew my driving licence over two months ago and whenever I check the application it says 'renewal in progress'. I declared my glaucoma in one eye but this does not affect the sight in the other eye. There does not seem to be any way of contacting them - the phone is always busy.

I am 'legal to drive' as the sight in my good eye is good, but I would like my licence!

Thanks

[Puckaster]

I had to apply for a licence due to glaucoma. It took ages to come, over two months. I did manage to speak to someone, and they said, if you’ve applied, and are legal to drive, you can drive for 12 months while you wait. I’m sure it won’t take that long though!

[Mimi987 in reply to Puckaster]

Thanks Puckaster I have been waiting over 3 months! Yes I don't think I needed to declare my glaucoma as it is only in one eye. I think I may have gone into too much detail on the online declaration! (And of course I have no record of what I actually replied to the online questions). Also stupid to send my old licence back to them. I think I will take the notice from DVLA saying my licence renewal status is in progress with me in the car when driving!

It is annoying you can't contact them

Thanks again Paul

[Rdevon]

As glaucoma is a notifiable condition for getting a licence you must state it when applying fora licence. The DVLA will then send you correspondence advising you of nearest opticians approved by them for eye testing and you must make an appointment.The test is a spatial awareness test similar to one’s carried out by normal optician but with both eyes open and wearing glasses if required. There are also other normal tests like reading letters from screen etc. When completed, the optician may or may not tell you the results ( they are customers of DVLA so not obliged to tell you )and they send results through to DVLA

DVLA will eventually send new licence if results are ok but it takes ages. I have been waiting over two months.

[Dumyat26 in reply to Rdevon]

But they obliged to give you a printout of your results, but in my experience you have to ask. Best to ask before you start. You can also do the test with and without glasses. I have occasionally done it 4 times at one sitting to choose the best result.

[Mimi987 in reply to Rdevon]

No correspondence from them about a test! Rang Specsavers and they just say they act on DVLA instructing them. Did DVLA send you and Specsavers a notice re the test? What is the process? Why is it taking DVLA over 3 months in my case? Ringing them seems hopeless and I tried an email address which turned to be for lorry drivers I think!

Thanks for your reply

Mimi

[Rdevon in reply to Mimi987]

DVLA sent me a letter which listed the nearest approved opticians but it was then down to me to arrange the appointment. I seem to think that had to be done within two weeks or so.

As previously stated, once Specsavers had done the examination they were going to send off the results.

Perhaps it is worth keeping evidence of your attempts to get in touch with DVLA, …..copies of emails and if leaving message by phone, save that too.

[Mimi987 in reply to Rdevon]

Thanks Rdevon. Do you know the email address of DVLA? The one I found turned out to be for lorry drivers! I thought Specsavers were the authorised eye testers for DVLA, I rang them up and they said they just get told by DVLA to do the test.

[North-Sea]

Hi Mimi

I checked out Glaucoma uk website for advice:

Glaucoma in one eye

If you have glaucoma in just one eye, you only need to tell the DVLA if you’re a commercial (group two) driver.

Group one drivers with glaucoma in one eye and normal vision in the other don’t need to let the DVLA know.

Group one drivers with glaucoma in one eye and ocular hypertension in the other also don’t need to inform the DVLA.

And DVLA:

If the condition only affects one eye and you have sight in both eyes, you only have to tell DVLA if you:

do not meet the visual standards for driving

have been told you may not meet the visual standards for driving by a GP, optician or eye specialist

From the sounds of it, your Glaucoma in one eye doesn’t need to be declared unless you are a commercial driver.

Have a look yourself for reassurance or ask at your local library for help doing this.

Good luck

[Mimi987 in reply to North-Sea]

Thank you North Sea! Yes I don't think I needed to declare it, I think I may have gone into too much detail on the online declaration! (And of course I have no record of what I actually replied to the online questions). Also stupid to send my old licence back to them. I think I will take the notice from DVLA saying my licence renewal status is in progress with me in the car when driving! Already waited 3 months! Thanks again Paul

[eye4thefuture]

Hi. I have Glaucoma in my left eye only, my right eye has excellent sight when I recently

renewed my licence on line the relevant question asked was "do you have a condition that affects both eyes" I know that you don't have to inform the DVLA if only one eye has Glaucoma this is clearly stated in "Glaucoma UK's pamphlet on driving with Glaucoma" so you may have to make it clear that only one eye is affected. I hope your licence will come through soon.

[Rdevon]

I have an address for the department that deals with this.

Drivers Medical Group, DVLA, ABERTAWE,SA99 1TU.

This was on a return envelope for the medical driving licence. There is an online service which I used and which the letter indicates is quicker gov.uk/renew-medical-drivin....

Good luck

[Jazzers]

Hi, Not sure if this is the number you tried or whether you called the main DVLA number, but the medical conditions number is 0300 790 6806. I've called this several times in recent months and always got to talk to someone within a few minutes. It might be worth a try if you are not getting a response with the main number.

I've also had success with this email address, although it did take several weeks for my reply

[e-mail]

Very best wishes, I'm stating the obvious, but you really don't want to get into the specsavers test cycle unless you really have to and if you only have glaucoma in one eye, you shouldn't have to unless you are seeking a higher level licence, as others have said here.