licence revoked - no letter for appointment for test was received.

[JennyRose1]

yesterday my husband came home to a letter stating licence revoked as he had not attended a Specsavers appt following a letter sent by DVLA. At no point did he receive a letter otherwise an appt would have been arranged following him being diagnosed with glaucoma and declaring to DVLA himself in January this year. He is so upset as we don't know what to do as he drives for a living!

I am hoping a call to the medical team will resolve the issue but I have read so many horror stories about the customer service.

Has anyone else had this experience or can offer any advice.?

we have spoken to specsavers who said they received notification that he required the test by as the letter ignored case closed. Again, the letter was not received.

thanks !

[Islandhome]

I did not receive my last letter re Specsavers appt. I rang DVLA and they issued a new letter in a couple of days. It may be more complicated as licence revoked (I was renewing mine so still had licence) but I would think first thing to do is call them. Someone on here may have a direct number for this. I rang general number and was passed round a few people but got there eventually. Good luck.

[Iona57]

When I was going through this process two years ago I had two letters. There was the initial one telling me to make the appointment with Specsavers , then a fairly strongly worded reminder a week later. So if you haven't received any letters that certainly points to a problem at their end.I don't know the DVLA number but the Glaucoma UK helpline will have the details. Glaucoma UK helpline number is 01233 648170.

[Beecalmed]

Hi! First I so feel for you and your husband. Its an awful mess of a situation.

So Ive had a lot of problems with the renewal of my medical driving licence this time round from both DVLA and Specsavers. Neither of my letters calling me to test at Specsavers ( so neither the original call to test letter OR the reminder letters arrived) luckily I had already called and checked that DVLA had received my medical form (due to a previous cock up) and they told me that the "test at Specsavers" letter had been issued. 10 days later and nothing had arrived. So I called and got given the codes to quote verbally and booked in to the Specsavers Ive used last few times as obviously I didn't get the list either. It all turned out ok for me luckily.

My advice is to call DVLA medical team, if necessary take the call back option as they are very busy and you can be on hold for ages but try not to miss the call. Explain you never received the letter and then be honest and say that you are on this Glaucoma Uk forum and are aware that other people haven't received their letters either recently, and politely request that they need to sort this out.

As the licence is revoked you may need to appeal but hopefully if they know there has been an administrative cockup at their end then they may find a way to resolve it without appeal. Back the call up with an email so that you have a record of what you told them and when. Try to remain polite if you can. But be persistent and if necessary ask to speak to a manager as there has been an administrative cock up. There are some okay people in DVLA you just need to get through to them and past the call takers who I think often don't have all the info or time to listen.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[JennyRose1 in reply to Beecalmed]

Thanks for the advice.

I have emailed and spoken on the phone. They have advised that is a priority case but would give no time frames in sending out the relevant letter for the eye test. They have also stated even though it is not Dave's fault as he did not receive any letter his licence remains revoked until the Specsavers test is complete.

Although disheartened that no time scale can be given I remain hopeful that they will generate the letter for the eye test in the coming week(s).

Interestingly there was no shock that we hadn't received the letter! It was accepted we hadn't which tells a story.

I will keep you posted on updates. I have said I will chase the end of the week.....

remaining hopeful for now .....

[JennyRose1 in reply to Beecalmed]

I called again!! Spoke to a fantastic lady who immediately arranged for his licence to be reinstated and for a new letter for tests to be sent out. What a different standard of service from yesterday. It is shocking, however, pleased with this afternoons outcome.

[Beecalmed in reply to JennyRose1]

Oh I’m so so pleased for you! You must be so relieved! Yes it pays to be persistent until you find someone receptive. So easy to be put off and give up. I do think they need the feedback. I always say I’m not complaining, I’m not moaning I’m just giving you valuable feedback so you can improve things.

My only advice is to call again in 5 days if you haven’t had the letter to check when it was issued in the system. Agree a set time to wait and if it doesn’t arrive by then you should call and ask that they give you codes and a reference verbally and that you would like to have deadline extended. Base this request on the fact so many of us haven’t received the letters they sent out this year. My letters just never arrived!

[JennyRose1 in reply to Beecalmed]

Thank you. Interestingly the lady from DVLA said it was being posted tonight and if not received by end of week to call back. I also have the number form Specsavers DVLA so will check in with them at the end of the week also. They also said they had tried to call Dave about it on his mobile .... he's checked his call history and nothing in the timeframe. All very odd!

[Beecalmed in reply to JennyRose1]

Sounds like you got the very helpful lady that I got after many fruitless calls. Sounding pretty hopeful I would say.

[KieranGlaucomaUK Administrator in reply to JennyRose1]

Hi Jenny. So glad to hear that they have reinstated his license. It was frustrating, as when I spoke to you there was nothing we could do to resolve the situation for you or your husband. I'm so glad you called again and persisted with it. Hope all goes well with his visual field test. Very best wishes.

[Anonoms]

Why not book in somewhere to do a practice test to relieve the pressure when he has the real one. You would have to pay but might be worth it ...and might tell him if he would pass or not.