Driving assessment centre

[Leeds85]

Hi, my partner has finally made some progress with the Dvla since August last year and he has to go for a driving assessment. Has anyone got any advice on them and what to expect. Thank you

[Hidden]

When my husband went a few years ago, they firstly did some cognitive testing with him and then took him for a drive. It was all very friendly and not at all scary.

[Leeds85 in reply to Hidden]

That's great thank you for your reply. The main thing I am concerned about is the cognitive tests.... Can you recall what cognitive tests he had to do as shaun only did some tests when he went to tthe brain rehab unit 6 months post op which was almost 3 years ago. He has had no further tests since.

[Hidden]

Nothing very complicated. Just things like saying which shape fits a hole, which thing is the odd one out etc. It was just enough to ensure that he could cope with an emergency when driving. Good luck to him.

[john-boy-92]

I did a assessment in March 2018. If your husband has not driven for many months, he should have been offered up to 3 months to take refresher lessons in a dual-control car with an ADI. DVLA do not publicise this. The physical and cognitive assessment will depend on his medical condition and can include, braking reaction time, leg strength, solving a puzzle whilst listening for certain words, freehand drawing a clock face with a specific time etc. The assessment is done by an ADI and an occupational therapist. They will make a recommendation to the DVLA Medical Group for failure, lessons, or reinstatement of the licence. The DVLA Medical Group will decide. Bear in mind that whilst the "Vision Panel" has Opthalmists, the Medical Group does not. If he fails ask for a copy of the assessment report, as an example my assessment report alledged that the assessment had been off road whereas it was entirely on public roads. If you disagree with the decision there is a two stage complaint process within the DVLA, followed by an external assessor, and then a complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO): I have a complaint with the PHSO. Each year about 9,000 car and motorcycle drivers have their licence revoked due to a horizontal field visual defect, currently totalling 50,000 drivers. I wish your husband good luck and, if you have any further questions I will be happy to answer them.

[john-boy-92 in reply to john-boy-92]

I should add that my stroke in July 2016 caused homonymous hemianopia (restricted vision on the right hand side) but otherwise my vision is 6/5 which is excellent.

[Leeds85]

My partner passed the driving assessment on 30th April. It is just a matter of waiting for his licence to come through now. How long did people wait after the assessment? Also the assessment was much harder than I imagined. He had to do a 2 sided test paper, fortunately the examiner read the questions out to him and I was allowed to explain them further. He did struggle with the word finding but anything numeracy based he passed straight away for example he had to count backwards in 7s from 90.

Then they took him on the roads in a busy city, firstly they made sure he was happy with the car on some quiet roads then on to the main city roads. He was asked to pull over and remember the name of a street which they had shown him on a map and then when he saw it he had to turn down that street. He then had to guage temporary traffic lights and then look at the signposts and head towards a certain area. He passed it with flying colours.

I just couldn't believe how intense it was but understand they have to make sure he is safe on the roads. If anyone requires further information on the assessment please contact me.