UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Just before Christmas someone stole my purse, unfortunately in it was my drivers photo card. So i sent off to DVLA for a new one. They have informed me that before they can issue me with another one i need to have my eyes examined to see if i am fit enough to drive. I know this has to be done for safety but i just don't think i am going to pass it.

Does anyone know what the visual fields test for driving is and how you need to score to pass it. I am so sure that i am going to fail it as i only really see out of one eye. My car is everything to me, i drive home every month to see my family in Wales and i just don't think i can give it up. I obviously don't drive without a lens in, and i think i can see enough, but i need to prove this.

Also if i fail, am i able to take it again when i get my new lenses as i am going to have one for my left eye, this could mean all the difference. Any suggestions, just really sad here.

Thanks, Claire X x X

keep calm! Have you had an eyetest recently? Your optician should have told if your eyesight wasn't up to driving legally, if they've never done this then you're probably ok unless the corrected vision has worsened recently. I think the exact details are on the dvla website.

Hello

You will find the details on the DVLA website however, just for quick reference for you it reads something like:- to read a car number plate in reasonable daylight at a distance of 20.5 metres (67 foot, I think).

I have also known this to be liked to 5 car lengths.

It also states the number plate letters should be a certain size which is the standard size used now when plates are produced.

Susan

fingers crossed

...and just to reassure you a bit, if the worst does come to the worst...IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.

I lost my licence back in 1989 because I had a seizure. Not had one before or since, but I had one. (It was in the sandwiches section of Marks and Spencer..whatever that means, if I'd have been conscious, I'd have died of embarrassment!! This immediately means you lose your licence for two years (or it did back then). At the time I couldn't believe it - thought life would end, but very quickly you adapt and cope and get around and mobile in other ways.

It's amazing how soon you cope. So I very much hope you are OK, but trust me, you'll be fine.

Oh and the thing that staggered me is how little I missed the responsibility of running a car..they're a pain in the a**e really.

As long as you have at least on good eye and can read the number plate at the correct distance you are OK.

As Susan says, approximatly 5 car lengths in good light and the letters of the standard size. Best place I find is to go past a main dealers (as these have number plates with the proper letter font and size) and stand well back and see if I can read the plate. People think you are just looking at the car to buy. Alternativly I think most theory test centres have a little gizmo that mimics looking at a car number plate at the requierd distance. I also think that they give you a printout to say that you achieved the required standard.

This might be better than anoptician, as mine and my GP both said I was legal to drive. So I drove 1200 miles on holiday and raced my 30 year old sports car round the longest and most dangerous curcuit in Europe to be told a week later that I was not legal to drive. I instantly went under a self imposed driving ban as should I have been involved in an accident and my eye sight challenged at that time, my insurance would be void regardless of the accident being my fault or not.

So first get your sight checked to make sure you are legal to drive.

Should you not be able to get your license back due to sight, then get in touch with your local job centre and HR department and ask about access to work if public transport is not a viable alternative. Mine were very helpful in that through this skeem a driver would be able to take me too and from work.

For me to use public transport, it would take 4 hours to get to work (I tried) and the return journey was different and took 5 hours! this took me past my front door 4 times on the train! By car it is a simple 45 minute drive one way.

Get your eyes checked first and think positive as you do not need 6/6 vision to pass the test, I think the line you need is about the third up from the very bottom of the chart.

Good luck and you know we will all do our best should you need further help. In the meantime I will check the legal requirments from my driving instructor notes (I was training to be an instructor until my KC kicked off again as the instructor colleges were not happy about cancelled sessions just because I some days I can not see).

Gareth

Thanks for all your replies. I guess i am just worrying over nothing, as as everyone keeps telling me cross the problem of losing your license if it happens, not now when i havent taken the eye test yet!!

I am just worried as i know how bad my eyesight is and i just need to keep my car. It is my independence and means i can go home more. I have been on the bus twice but i was so sick (even with an antiemetic before you ask! Nurses are prepared!!) so i just dont think i can do it again!!

I need to phone for an eye test this week and i will let you know how it goes. Thanks for all the support and advice, it really does mean a lot.

Claire X x X

Could actually be your eyesight that's causing the travel sickness! My travel sickness has been getting worse for about 10 years, I was diagnosed with KC a 2 or 3 years ago and the first time I wore my contacts as a passenger I was fine, absolutely no sickness whatsoever. Nowadays if I'm travelling long distance, especially on buses, and can't wear contacts I keep my pinholes ready. Ok it makes me look like an idiot but I only use them if its getting bad.

Yesterday I was at a car show I organise once ayear for over 3500 people and spent the whole day wearing extremely dark safety glasses due to the bright light and also for when I had my lenses in dust did not get underneath. To be honest given the choice of looking like an ideot and seeing vs normal and bumping into things?

Sorry, I will go for the idiot option.

However I will accept that I am extremely lucky in that I can at least go part of the day sighted unlike some people with sight problems.

Thanks for all of your replies. I have booked in for a visual test on Monday, luckily DVLA pay for it. Am so hoping to pass it and get my licence back, this is what you get for having to replace it because of a thief Sorry just really hoping it goes well.

Will let you know what happens, hope things are well here

Claire X x X

Best of luck, Claire. Tell us how you get on!