Driving License: HI, has anyone just renewed... - Macular Society

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Driving License

roynett profile image
12 Replies

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

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roynett profile image
roynett
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12 Replies
GavinM profile image
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 profile image
Caradog29 in reply toGavinM

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

tallyho profile image
tallyho in reply toGavinM

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 profile image
tallyho in reply toGavinM

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

GavinM profile image
GavinM in reply totallyho

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

tallyho profile image
tallyho in reply toGavinM

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 profile image
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 profile image
roynett in reply toCaradog29

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

Caradog29 profile image
Caradog29 in reply toroynett

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 profile image
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 profile image
GavinM in reply toPolly221pj

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

Polly221pj profile image
Polly221pj in reply toGavinM

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

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