Driving License

[roynett]

HI, has anyone just renewed a driving license, or is about to. my is about to be renewed I have informed the DVLA that I have Macular Degeneration, I haven't needed injections for 16 months and attend the stable clinic every 3 and half months. I am terrified of not being able to drive any more, my optician said that I am perfectly safe to drive, but I don't know what to expect. Are there any thoughts please. Thanks alot

[GavinM]

I have wet AMD in both eyes and injections every 8 weeks in one and 14 weeks in the other. Yet I pass the vision requirement for driving with flying colours. 6/7.5 in one eye, no tunnel vision, good colour preseption and that's it. If Moorfields say I'm fine to drive then there is nothing to report to DVLA. it's only when you're not under medical care you may have an obligation to report your condition. It does seem rather a grey area I know.

[Caradog29 in reply to GavinM]

That’s not actually correct. If it affects both eyes you are obliged to inform DVLA.

[tallyho in reply to GavinM]

You need to let the DVlA know if both eyes but not sure if it is in this case as it only gives the snellen if one eye.

[tallyho in reply to GavinM]

hope all goes well your sight is good (6/6 would be perfect vision) I guess our other eye is the same vision?

[GavinM in reply to tallyho]

Actually my other eye is 6/60 in the very centre but peripheral vision is perfect.

[tallyho in reply to GavinM]

Ag so in that case I would just DVLA as your best seeingbeyebis 5/7.5?abs you have no central vision in the other. You can of course drive with one eye. That’s what I would do anyway. I am 5/50 in my bear seeing eye and had to give up driving at age 42 but that was the right decision though very hard

[Caradog29]

hi, do you have amd in both eyes? If not it’s not even reportable. But if you do and it’s stable with no injections needed there shouldn’t be a problem.

nhs.uk/conditions/age-relat...

DVLA are pretty quick so you should hear quite soon.

[roynett in reply to Caradog29]

Hi thank you for the replys, yes I do have it in both eyes.

[Caradog29 in reply to roynett]

In that case then just to cover yourself you need to declare it. If you look online you will see it’s a reportable condition if in both eyes. The renewal form will ask if you have any reportable conditions.

Renewal shouldn’t be a problem though.

[Polly221pj]

I rang and told them and they said so long as doc hasn't told you to stop all is OK. Sent form me to complete to to cover themselves, licence fine. Sometimes they send people for a field test only certain specsavers do it. Don't do a field test yourself at Specsavers as DVLA only accept what they make appt for.

[GavinM in reply to Polly221pj]

This is my understanding too. And what Moorfields have confirmed. But there is info on the web that says otherwise.

[Polly221pj in reply to GavinM]

Ask your doc then just rung them. I only reported it because I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea but with the docs agreeing I was ok to drive all is OK

[Carol_MacularSociety Partner]

Dear roynett,

Please refer to the guidance in the link below regarding driving and AMD.

macularsociety.org/support/...

The Macular Society Helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111. Alternatively, you can contact us via: [e-mail]

Best wishes,

Carol

Macular Society Helpline

[Janbeach]

In the United States, our eye doctor can fill out a form, to allow you to drive, depending on your eye exams. This goes to our licensing department.

[Richard_44]

I have had dry AMD for over 11 years, and I have renewed my licence 4 times with no problems at all. I have used the same optician since being diagnosed, and I have a check up with him every year. As long as your optician has given the all clear, I'm sure you will have no problems. Happy driving!!!

[Catseyes235]

I informed DVLA but it was during lockdown and it took quite a while to have it ok’d to have licence renewed. Had to give details of hospital and doctor etc who verified I was fit to drive, However I wasn’t driving anyway but best to be safe!