Licence with field vision loss

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Rollingwheels

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Fordingbridge, UK
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Since 2002
Hi my brother renewed his licence this year but as he is 70 got the wrong one so only had a 3500kg, he applied for another one with the c1 and took the medical but was referred for another eye test because of a field vision problem, because he already had the 3500kg one decided to downplate the van and ignore the eye test, he has gone to Morocco for the winter and I have been opening his mail for him the DVLA has sent him a letter to say because he never made an appointment that he should now no longer drive, my question is does anyone know how strict the eye test for the standard license is once it has been flagged up, I am just trying to find the easiest path for him to keep his license,
Thanks
 
Here is a link to the DVLA page, you have to tell them if you have problems that affect both eyes.
For a C1 you have to tell them if you have a problem with one eye.
If he had taken the test and found only one eye affected he would be OK for a B licence.

www.gov.uk

Driving eyesight rules

The eyesight rules to pass your driving test and for whenever you're driving.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
Likely his insurance is now invalid as DVLA say he is not to drive so in a bit of a pickle.
 
He could possibly get a licence by going down the Exceptional Criteria Exemption route. He will probably have to take an offroad assessment at a DVLA approved centre - I used the one at the Derby and Burton University Hospital Trust which will hopefully show that he has adapted to the visual impairment. Be warned though that if he has certain other eye problems such as glaucoma he will not be eligible to get a licence through this route. He can get a form from the DVLA.
 
Rollingwheels said:
Hi my brother renewed his licence this year but as he is 70 got the wrong one so only had a 3500kg, he applied for another one with the c1 and took the medical but was referred for another eye test because of a field vision problem, because he already had the 3500kg one decided to downplate the van and ignore the eye test, he has gone to Morocco for the winter and I have been opening his mail for him the DVLA has sent him a letter to say because he never made an appointment that he should now no longer drive, my question is does anyone know how strict the eye test for the standard license is once it has been flagged up, I am just trying to find the easiest path for him to keep his license,
Thanks
Click to expand...
This what the DVLA say on their website (and I'm sorry but it's not good news for your brother):

The visual standards for driving​

You should meet the standards if you:
  • can read a number plate from 20 metres away
  • have no double vision
  • have a normal field of vision in at least one eye (your optician can test this)
If you’re not sure if you meet the visual standards for driving, you should get advice from your GP, optician or an eye specialist.

I suspect your brother needs to get something sorted regarding the eye test asap. There's £1000 fine awaiting plus I'm guessing that his insurance is pretty compromised as he has been told he should not be driving. Maybe needs to fly back and sort it out in the UK?

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TDub49 said:
This what the DVLA say on their website (and I'm sorry but it's not good news for your brother):

The visual standards for driving​

You should meet the standards if you:
  • can read a number plate from 20 metres away
  • have no double vision
  • have a normal field of vision in at least one eye (your optician can test this)
If you’re not sure if you meet the visual standards for driving, you should get advice from your GP, optician or an eye specialist.

I suspect your brother needs to get something sorted regarding the eye test asap. There's £1000 fine awaiting plus I'm guessing that his insurance is pretty compromised as he has been told he should not be driving. Maybe needs to fly back and sort it out in the UK?
Click to expand...
Actually - given the demographic of the motorhome world, Funsters could do worse than check out the full guidance on driving and health - it's interesting reading: https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving
 
Yes l know bit of a problem unfortunately I can’t contact him to let him know I am just trying to help any way I can
 
TheTwoOfUs said:
He could possibly get a licence by going down the Exceptional Criteria Exemption route. He will probably have to take an offroad assessment at a DVLA approved centre - I used the one at the Derby and Burton University Hospital Trust which will hopefully show that he has adapted to the visual impairment. Be warned though that if he has certain other eye problems such as glaucoma he will not be eligible to get a licence through this route. He can get a form from the DVLA.
Click to expand...
Ok many thanks I will read up on this
 
When applying to maintain my C1+E at 70 I had already been diagnosed with glaucoma in one eye although the other eye was tested at 20/20 with no problem so DVLA insisted on a field vision test which showed a very small loss of periphery vision and as a result my C1+E was revoked.
It seems that my one perfect eye would still have given adequate field vision to maintain my basic licence.

I cannot give an answer to the problem the OPs brother is in.
 
Rollingwheels said:
Yes l know bit of a problem unfortunately I can’t contact him to let him know I am just trying to help any way I can
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Doesn't he have a phone?

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Do not tell him yet. Research if he is at fault if he has not seen the message. I would have thought a good lawyer would feel he had operated in good faith. Contact the DVLA and advise them he is out of contact. Of course they may advise the foreign police.
 
68c said:
Do not tell him yet. Research if he is at fault if he has not seen the message. I would have thought a good lawyer would feel he had operated in good faith. Contact the DVLA and advise them he is out of contact. Of course they may advise the foreign police.
Click to expand...
What's the old saying? "Ignorance is no defence under the law" . . . . ? It's not a great situation but not irretrievable if approached in the right way.
 
According to a very close relative ;-) (ex DVLA medic)
He IS legal to drive under 3.5, it is his C1 that is revoked.
Should be clear in the letter.
 
bladerunner said:
According to a very close relative ;-) (ex DVLA medic)
He IS legal to drive under 3.5, it is his C1 that is revoked.
Should be clear in the letter.
Click to expand...
Many thanks I will read the letter in more detail

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bladerunner said:
According to a very close relative ;-) (ex DVLA medic)
He IS legal to drive under 3.5, it is his C1 that is revoked.
Should be clear in the letter.
Click to expand...
If the DVLA don’t know whether it is one eye or both eyes would they perhaps revoke all aspects of his license?

I had my D4 Vision Assessment completed by my Optometrist last week, she said that she could not complete Section 3 without doing a Field of Vision Test. Fortunately she included the test in my regular NHS eye check up. Today my Doctor did the rest of the form and was pleased to see the Vision Assessment already done. She said that when they do the Vision Test the DVLA know that their assessment is crude compared to the one the Optometrists do and sometimes this leads to a referral.
 
I have Glaucoma, partial loss of vision right eye. I have to renew my driving licence every three years for which I have to have a field of vision test. This is to keep my B licence.
 
68c said:
I have Glaucoma, partial loss of vision right eye. I have to renew my driving licence every three years for which I have to have a field of vision test. This is to keep my B licence.
Click to expand...
Ditto. It's always a bit tense every three years, particularly as OH is no longer allowed to drive.
 
bladerunner said:
Field of vision only needed for C1

self declared if under 3.5t
Click to expand...
That is not correct you have to declare any eye problem, the main difference between a B and a C1 one is for a B licence you only have to declare a problem if it is in both eyes, for C1 either eye.

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We do not contradict each other. I was only referring to field of vision testing.
I agree you need to self declare, as opposed to mandatory optician diagnosis.
 
Not sure how relevant this is to the query but this is my experience. Have no vision in my left eye and did the usual three year licence renewals. Applied for my last car licence in 2020 and DVLA Medical Dept. stated I had to do a Field Vision Test. This could only be at a branch of Specsavers, their nominated optician. I had not notified DVLA of any change in my vision. Unfortunately for me, they considered my field vision didn’t meet their criteria (which I was unable to establish with them), so have now lost my licence.
 
I have had an eye condition since birth in my left eye and now wet macular in it, DVLA aware, my licence has a code which shows I must use glasses when driving.

my vision test is 6/36 in my left eye. Checked by hospital annually together field test.

A police traffic friend confirmed to me years ago they are aware of such code and if I was stopped whilst not using them I could be prosecuted.
 

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