Driving license renewal and eye test

[brightncheerful]

My d/l renewal is in August this year. According to the Gov info, for the renewal information required, I need an eye sight test that meets the Gov's standard of vision for driving. According to Mrs Bnc's opticians, I took her there yesterday for her update, it's only Specsavers that can do the necessary test for the d/l renewal?

I wear spectacles for driving but I haven't had a eyesight test for at least 20 years. I'm okay about having one done but I don't want to have to go to Specsavers. (Or 'specs averse' as I jokingly prefer.) However, if i do have to go S and my current spectacles fail the test could I then go to Mrs Bnc's opticians to get new lens fitted to my existing frame then retake the test at S, or would a failed test at S count against me?

[supremetwo]

There are special tests relating to peripheral vision and not all opticians have that equipment.

However, this will only be needed if you have or have suffered from such as glaucoma in both eyes.

https://www.gov.uk/glaucoma-and-driving

If you have no eye disease, the standard optician eye test is adequate. This includes the Snellen chart.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules

[Dod101]

If bnc is old enough to need to have an eye test for a driving licence renewal then he should have been to get his eyes checked long ago.

Dod

[Watis]

If bnc is old enough to need to have an eye test for a driving licence renewal then he should have been to get his eyes checked long ago.

Dod

I agree. At the very least, his frames will be hopelessly out of fashion.

Watis

[brightncheerful]

his frames will be hopelessly out of fashion. Watis

For many years i was happy to wear NHS frames, £6 including case. Unhappiness began to set in only as a result of fed up having to defend myself against friends' cryptic comments.

My optician client took pity and sold me two non NHS frames and lens (after eye testing) at wholesale prices.

[brightncheerful]

There are special tests relating to peripheral vision and not all opticians have that equipment.

The eye test that Mrs Bnc had yesterday at her optician included test for peripheral vision so that can't be it.

Anything else special to Specsavers?

[supremetwo]

There are special tests relating to peripheral vision and not all opticians have that equipment.

The eye test that Mrs Bnc had yesterday at her optician included test for peripheral vision so that can't be it.

Anything else special to Specsavers?

There are basic peripheral vision machines for a standard eye test and much more expensive machines if further investigation is required.

Specsavers were awarded the DVLA contact to carry out the more-specific tests after DVLA received eye-problem details from an applicant. This contract ceased in 2018.

https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/professional- ... test-error
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/ ... -equipment

[Lootman]

There are special tests relating to peripheral vision and not all opticians have that equipment.

However, this will only be needed if you have or have suffered from such as glaucoma in both eyes.

The problem is that glaucoma really doesn't have any obvious symptoms and, without the specialised tests, you probably you won't know you have it until it is too late.

So regardless of whether a DL test is needed, it is a good idea to have proper glaucoma tests done annually, including interocular pressure tests, peripheral vision tests and a visual inspection of the optical nerve through a dilated eye.

[brightncheerful]

This contract ceased in 2018.

My optician contact tells it was renewed. As i understand, Specsavers have a contract for a particular test that is required by DVLC. Provided I pass that, i don't need to have a sight test by S.

[supremetwo]

This contract ceased in 2018.

My optician contact tells it was renewed. As i understand, Specsavers have a contract for a particular test that is required by DVLC. Provided I pass that, i don't need to have a sight test by S.

Your optician should offer you the standard test, which does include pressure and peripheral.

I have a relative with Glaucoma.

The process was:-
1) Attended optician for a standard eye test.
2) Optician unhappy with the standard test results.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/glaucoma/diagnosis/
3) Optician writes to GP and via GP an appointment made to eye specialist - more tests.
4) Eye specialist prescribes drops to slow down glaucoma.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/glaucoma/treatments/
5) DVLA advised. Illegal not to advise them.
6) DVLA sends details of a local optician who has similar sophisticated machinery as the eye specialist. Originally not Specsavers - last time was Specsavers.
7) Only that test carried out and result sent to DVLA. The optician is precluded from telling the patient the test results.
8) DVLA renews licence if the test OK. If test is borderline, DVLA may issue a short-term medical driving licence for one year only.
https://www.gov.uk/renew-medical-driving-licence

It follows that a regular sight test is essential for early detection.
You will not be referred to DVLA/Specsavers if you pass this.

I do not understand why they raised the Specsavers test with you when they have not carried out the standard tests.

[pochisoldi]

I must be missing something here.

All you have to do is sign a declaration/tick the box which says you meet the eyesight requirements.

Given that eyesight deterioration in most cases is gradual and can easily go unnoticed, it would be sensible/reasonable to get a normal eyesight test at any opticians, and specifically ask the optician "Does my eyesight meet the minimum requirements for driving?", and rely on the opticians findings and advice when you tick the box/sign the form.

For the record, I have never paid a penny more for an eyesight test where I have queried whether my eyesight meets the standard (with or without glasses), or where I've asked the optician to look out for potential accidental damage when I used to work regularly with laser/fibre optic systems...

PochiSoldi

[bungeejumper]

I've never had a problem with Specsavers, actually - my local branch have always been very thorough and have the latest equipment, which is not a claim that every optician can match. And the departmental head of ophthalmology at our local teaching hospital, who I know, moved there from Specsavers, which I suppose must suggest something about professional levels?

I go for all the options when buying my usual varifocals (thin lenses, wide focus angle, tints and filters, etc), but I do cut corners with my driving glasses.(Eek. ) They're only plain lenses after all, and I really don't care that much what I look like when I'm driving, because I'm the only person who doesn't have to look at me. So I made a note of the model number on a frame that I liked and bought the damn glasses instead from Glasses Direct. Got two pairs for rather less than what the optician wanted for one pair.

BJ

[ten0rman]

Guess which 75 year old has this morning had his 2 yearly eyesight test? All ok, and believe it or not, I can still pass the Driving License eyesight test without glasses. Which I think says more about the poor quality D/L test than it does about me.

So, the usual tests of different lenses looking for the clearest/sharpest image (very little change from 2 years ago), checks for astigmatism etc (little or no change), puff test for eyeball pressure (apparently slightly variable over the years, but not enough to worry about), examination of the eye interior using a bright light (all ok apart from the usual detritus left behind after occasional bouts of iritis over the last 55 years), photograph of the eye (all ok and no change compared with previous tests), and finally the width of vision tests on each eye individually and without glasses, ie watch the moving spot and press the button to match the fixed dots seen (100% this time - sorry. can't remember what it's called).

We talked about the D/L requirements - the optician is fully satisfied. I did say that I do use glasses for driving because they do make things clearer. Answer was good.

So there we are, all clear for another two years, eyesight wise that is! Can't speak for other parts, eg the floor that's getting further away, the ears that don't work as well as they should, nor the brain, although I have been told by both a doctor and a nurse practioner four and two years ago respectively that they think I'm ok!!!?? Maybe I'll ask questions at the annual check up this year!

And so onto the D/L renewal later this year.

Cheers,

ten0rman

[Garless]

Before I had my cataracts treated I chose not to drive at night, probably should have stopped driving but was OK shopping. Now can easily pass the read a car plate and visual field tests. So if in doubt get the tests done. I was much more concerned with my fathers reaction time before he finally gave up his licence.

[Lootman]

Guess which 75 year old has this morning had his 2 yearly eyesight test? All ok, and believe it or not, I can still pass the Driving License eyesight test without glasses. Which I think says more about the poor quality D/L test than it does about me.

If you think the UK DL vision test is lenient I suggest that you take a look at the vision requirements for Florida. Since that State relies on a constant influx of wealthy older retirees it has decided to make it very easy to drive there. From their State requirements:

"Applicants who have 20/70 vision in either eye, may pass with or without corrective lenses if vision cannot be improved; however, if one eye is blind, or 20/200 or worse, the other eye must be 20/40 or better."

https://lowvision.preventblindness.org/ ... e/#Florida

Before I had my cataracts treated I chose not to drive at night, probably should have stopped driving but was OK shopping. Now can easily pass the read a car plate and visual field tests. So if in doubt get the tests done. I was much more concerned with my fathers reaction time before he finally gave up his licence.

Everyone I know who has had catarct surgery has been thrilled with the improvement in their acuity. And it's now the most popular surgery performed by the NHS, and minimally invasive, so there really is no excuse for not having it done if you're blurry.

[Garless]

Before I had my cataracts treated I chose not to drive at night, probably should have stopped driving but was OK shopping. Now can easily pass the read a car plate and visual field tests. So if in doubt get the tests done. I was much more concerned with my fathers reaction time before he finally gave up his licence.

Everyone I know who has had catarct surgery has been thrilled with the improvement in their acuity. And it's now the most popular surgery performed by the NHS, and minimally invasive, so there really is no excuse for not having it done if you're blurry.

The only problem after the ops was I needed sunglasses as the world became so bright!

[ten0rman]

Hi Lootman,
I can't really comment on the UK driving eyesight leniency or not. I can only go by my own experience in that I have taken, and passed, three UK driving tests, all without glasses. These were all in the late teens. In my say mid-late 50's I started wearing glasses for driving & TV purposes and was amazed at the improvement in my vision, eg the tiles on a church roof suddenly became much clearer, and that made me realise how much I had deteriorated. Unfortunately, I then commented to my GP about that deterioration during a driving medical, and got told that my eyes were better now, than his had ever been. Needless to say I shut up, but it did make me wonder just how bad his eyes were, and from that I started wondering about the UK D/L test. So, a further 20 years on, and I can still pass that test without glasses, and I know that my eyes have deteriorated further, and that really does make wonder about the test, and if we really should improve it.
Maybe I've been lucky in that I have enjoyed reasonably good eyesight all my life, and in both eyes.

There is, of course, the other problem of whether a person is capable of using their eyesight or not. Mrs T. is one who on the face of it doesn't use peripheral vision, yet for me, peripheral vision is essential. That is why I was so pleased to pass the eyedot test thingy at 100% because as far as I can see, that particular test does test peripheral vision.

Regards,

ten0rman

[melonfool]

"I haven't had a eyesight test for at least 20 years. I'm okay about having one done but I don't want to have to go to Specsavers."

1) you shouldn't be on the road if you've not had an eye sight test for over twenty years, especially if you wear spectacles (how do you know which ones to wear, where do you get them?)

2) other opticians are available, hundreds of them. If you weren't half blind you'd have noticed them.

Mel

[csearle]

At the risk of being a tad off-topic, a decade or so ago when getting a medical to renew my PPL I had to stick my chin in a machine (made by hp) that flashed points of light at random ahead of me. If I saw them I was supposed to click a switch I was holding. In this way the gadget mapped my field of vision.

For some reason, in all these years since 1990, I've only been required to do this once.

Rgds,
Chris

[melonfool]

There is, of course, the other problem of whether a person is capable of using their eyesight or not. Mrs T. is one who on the face of it doesn't use peripheral vision, yet for me, peripheral vision is essential. That is why I was so pleased to pass the eyedot test thingy at 100% because as far as I can see, that particular test does test peripheral vision.

Regards,

ten0rman

Yes, that is the peripheral vision test. What on earth do you mean your wife doesn't use her peripheral vision, do you make her wear blinkers or something? It is essential for all of us, for balance, to help us move out of the way when something comes at us....

I have weirdly excellent peripheral vision, I always pass that test 100%, I can see a hair in the sink while I'm brushing my teeth, until I look at it, then it's gone! Really odd to be able to see something without looking at it.

Mel