DRIVING AGAIN

realspeed

realspeed

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Bazza
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Just got my driving licence back from the DVLA
Guess who is a happy chappie. A year with no licence and worrying terribly if I would ever be allowed to drive again NOW I CAN

Had to surrender my licence due to eye problems a year ago. So had a stent put in one eye and drops for the other for a few months. last week went for a DVLA eye test at Spec Savers and eye sight improved enough to let me drive again
 
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That is good news. I can imagine how happy you must be.:)

Dave
 
Excellent news. :-)
Enjoy!
 
The DVLA's "medical" department make the rest of the organization look the model of efficiency! Took them over a year to give me mine back despite both my GP and surgeon being happy for me to drive and having been off the relevant (prophylactic rather than treating any actual condition) medication. Glad they've sorted yours out.
 
Nod I can't uinderstand why. all i did was fill out the form they sent me and gave me a number to quote to Spec Savers to book the eye test. I had to do that within 7 day and about 4 weeks roughly for the eye test The DVLA do not recognise any results from GP's or Surgeons they rely on their own Spec Savers results. Maybe that is why it took so long in your case. One reason is maybe the field test equipment is supplied to spec savers and working to their standard,

The DVLA recalled all machines back in October 2015 because they were not showing same spot brightness across the whole field of view.
My Hospital I suspect is still using old machines with this fault as some were a lot brighter than others. Being National Health they may not be aware of that issue on their machines or not tested to the latest standard
 
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That's great news to hear (y)

Enjoy your driving / independence again
 
Bazza, my problem was open skull surgery and the possibility of fits. Despite not having one and being off the relevant medication (whose name escapes me) for 6 months, as well as having had assorted eye tests in the meantime (including peripheral vision and retinopathy), the DVLA's medical department managed to "lose" my paperwork (although they had the photos that were attached to it when the eventually did give me the license back) and every person I spoke to gave me different excuses and advice, often in fairly impenetrable Welsh accents. They have also removed a couple of categories from the license - not ones I use often but which were handy a couple of times. I could get them reinstated but would have to get a Dr's certificate and pay the DVLA again.
 
Nod they said that now I am over 70 they would remove me from driving vehicles that sat 16 people, ie a mini coach. have to admit being a bit aprehensive about driving again, that is getting used to being "Road Wise" with traffic even after having driven for well over 50 years. 15 months in total of not being behind the wheel is a long time
 
Happy for you Bazza. My advice would be to go out on a few runs at quiet times to get your feel, road craft and confidence back, then there will be no stopping you. :woot:(y)
 
Good idea.

Years ago I was driving down this road I had a strange experience. This beautiful girl was hitch hiking and me being me stopped to give her a lift. It was not long before we got into conversation and the subject got around to work. So I asked her what she did for a living and she said she didn't have to work because she was a witch. Was I gob smacked or not, I said if you are a witch then prove it. Believe it or not she put her hand high up on my leg and I turned into a layby.
 
Great stuff. After my stroke I surrendered mine voluntarily. Was great to get it back earlier this year but I had to convince myself that I felt well enough first. Glad I did so I know just how you feel!
 
realspeed said:
The DVLA do not recognise any results from GP's or Surgeons they rely on their own Spec Savers results.
Click to expand...
Now that's interesting, last time I had an eye test (spec savers) the optometrist or what ever they are called these days, said you are still ok to drive..( I need slightly magnifying glasses to read)
I thought WTF you cheeky git! Now you have me wondering if this is a stealth eye test for the DVLA.
More big brother ? I think I'll change my opticians next time..

I'm not saying that I or anyone else should drive while blind, .
But there is always some possibility of a defective machine, ( as above)
 
Cobra said:
More big brother ?
Click to expand...

Probably not, BUT I could possibly envisage where someone had caused/been involved in an accident & had earlier been told by their optician that they needed new specs for driving, but they hadn't done so yet.
What if a solicitor or insurer found out?

Maybe best to give the new optician a false name & address :LOL:
 
Cobra said:
Now that's interesting, last time I had an eye test (spec savers) the optometrist or what ever they are called these days, said you are still ok to drive..( I need slightly magnifying glasses to read)
I thought WTF you cheeky git! Now you have me wondering if this is a stealth eye test for the DVLA.
More big brother ? I think I'll change my opticians next time..

I'm not saying that I or anyone else should drive while blind, .
But there is always some possibility of a defective machine, ( as above)
Click to expand...


TBH, if an optometrist (OWTCTD!) told me I should only drive with vision correction, I'd only drive with vision correction! Even when I was able to see well enough to drive without vision correction, I wore my specs or contact lenses because I was horrified at just how bad vision can be before it falls below the required standard to drive! Lost too many friends to SMIDSY drivers to risk not seeing something I should have (as well as liking to see things properly.)
 
If an optometrist as a result of an eye test tells you that you need vision correction for driving, he is telling you that you have failed to reach the standard required by law without correction. If you need vision correction to reach that standard (glasses} it is a criminal offence to drive without correction and you will be prosecuted. Your vision test results would be recorded on your prescription of which the Optometrist keeps a record. Besides this there is a moral obligation to think of the health and safety of other road users.
 
from what i understand is that the DVLA ONLY recognised eye test results that they authorise SpecSavers to carry out. If you went to SpecSavers off your own bat the DVLA WON'T accept it. I suppose they might consider corruption by bribing the testers might occur
 
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realspeed said:
from what i understand is that the DVLA ONLY recognised eye test results that they authorise SpecSavers to carry out.
Click to expand...
Ah Ok I just thought the comment was a little odd, as it had never been said before.
 
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