Told I can no longer drive

Posted , 2 users are following.

Went for my regular 6 month check today and after faring badly on my field test and also faring badly on a driving field retest the doctor said I should no longer drive.

I have had glaucoma for about 10 years and I am now 57.

I understand I can appeal to DVLA for a retest but my question is how do I stand legally with reference to driving? Am I legally allowed to drive until the results of a DVLA retest. The hospital I guess will send a letter to DVLA of their findings and they will send me the offer of a retest or recind my licence straight away? Part of my job is driving so I need some answers quickly before I explain my situation at work. Thanks if you can offer me some valuable advice!

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    What a blow, Alfie.  I have just had a look at the DVLA website and it says the following

    You must surrender your licence to DVLA if your doctor tells you to stop driving because of your medical condition, or if you don’t currently meet the required standards for driving.

    Surrendering your licence voluntarily may mean you can start driving again sooner.

    Was it an Ophthalmologist in hospital who told you this?

    I'll post the link after this.

    • Posted

      Thank you very much for your reply. Yes, a huge blow as my wife is disabled and gets mobility allowance herself so I have to ferry her around!

      Yes it was an Ophthalmologist and not my doctor.

      I've contacted an expert at specsavers and she tells me that I will receive a letter from DVLA IF they have sent a letter to them. They will then send me to the opticians who have the DVLA contract in my home town of Grimsby (which just happens to be Specsavers) and they will give me several tests to determine my fate. If they have not contacted DVLA then I should wait for my next appointment at the hospital in 6 months or (I'm guessing my GP contacts me?)  So atm, according to what they have told me I'm thinking I'm ok to carry on for the time being? Any thoughts? 

      Thanks again for taking the time to reply!

    • Posted

      You must surrender your licence to DVLA if your doctor tells you to stop driving because of your medical condition, or if you don’t currently meet the required standards for driving.

      Surrendering your licence voluntarily may mean you can start driving again sooner.

  • Posted

    I can't add 2 posts at the same time!

    My previous one, is a quote from the DVLA website.  I think you probably need to be very wary of driving if an Ophthalmologist has told you not to drive.  The last part of the statement I copied, says that if you surrender your licence voluntarily, might mean that you are able to start driving again sooner.  Perhaps you would be better talking to your GP because it would be awful to be prosecuted if something was to happen.  You might find that your insurance no longer covers you.

    And it isn't you, it is the idiots on the road who could cause a problem.

    I'm sorry Alfie but I would be wary too, of what the person from Specsavers told you.  As they told me 2 or 3 months ago, they are NOT medically qualified.

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