Driving License

[John Smith]

Thank you to all the well wishers. Usually, on first sign of a rejection, I'd be down to eye casualty as fast as I can arrange a lift/call a cab. However, as I'm already in the throwes of a rejection episode, I'm not really sure that it would help.

Since the rejection episode started 3 weeks ago, I've had two relapses now, each lasting about a day or less. Each time on waking. Taking the prescribed drops (Maxidex or FML - the former is much better but I have adverse reactions to it) throughout the waking hours calm it down again; thankfully.

Of course, as the saying goes "if symptoms persist..." I'd be making my way to casualty anyway!

[John Smith]

Just found some more relevant stuff. We are entitled to concessionary travel if:

"(g) would, if he applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol."

38. Under Section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 the Secretary of State may refuse to issue a driving licence on the grounds of the applicant's medical fitness. Those who are currently barred from holding a licence are people with:

i. epilepsy (unless it is of a type which does not pose a danger - see below);
ii. severe mental disorder
iii. liability to sudden attacks of giddiness or fainting (whether as a result of cardiac disorder or otherwise)
iv. inability to read a registration plate in good light at 20.5 metres (with lenses if worn)
v. other disabilities which are likely to cause the driving of vehicles by them to be a source of danger to the public

39. It is not a condition of entitlement under this category that the disabled person should apply for and be refused a driving licence (which would be unduly burdensome for everyone involved). For people with any of the disabilities (ii) - (iv) listed above the local authority can be confident that a licence would be refused and should therefore be able to issue the travel pass automatically. For (i) epilepsy - the bar is not automatic and depends on the circumstances:

40. The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 permit the grant of a driving licence to a person with epilepsy if that person:

(a) has not had an epileptic attack whilst awake for a year or more, or
(b) has a history of attacks whilst asleep, and only whilst asleep, over the past three years or more,

provided that the driving of a vehicle by that person is not likely to cause danger to the public.

[Andrew MacLean]

John

Very helpful info about legal definitions of 'blindness' etc, and expecially the notes about eligibility for travel passes.

I'll let you know how things go with the DVLA.

I'll be thinking of you in the coming weeks as you wait for your own license, and have the added stress of a rejection episode.

All the best

Andrew

[Richard In Wales]

When my cornea went POP I wasn't asked about my driving by the specialist, he said well your blind you can't drive so why mess around.

Funny thing is though even though I'm registered partially sighted I am allowed to drive now as I can pass the eye test good enough for the specialist not to have to inform the DVLA.

He say there are loads on people with one eye that drive and as long as I use my head and don't drive when I'm not up to it he's happy with that.

[John Smith]

We do need to remember that although I am sure we are all sensible enough not to drive when we can't see, we still have a legal obligation to inform our insurers and the DVLA of the condition.

[Richard In Wales]

I ride a trike, it's my life, it's all I own or have. I can't ride that I'm dead

[rosemary johnson]

Please do remember that the vision requirement for driving a motor vehicle on the public highway covers not just acuity, but also field of view.
Tht is, you need not only to be able to read a number plate at however many metres it is, but to be able to see things coming from a sifficiently wide angle round you.
Personally, I wouldn't drive with only one eye "up to scratch" because I find it so hard to judge distances.
Rosemary

[Richard In Wales]

Loads of people drive with just one eye, the bloke downstairs is a driving instructor and he only has one eye

[Andrew MacLean]

The story so far:

I wrote to the DVLA to ask for my license to be returned. Three weeks later they sent me a form to fill in (I understand from John that I could have short-circuited this bit by downloading their form from the WWW).

I filled in their form and sent it back.

That is where things have stalled. Still we wait patiently in the hope of a reply in the fullness of time!

On the question of mkonocular driving, I understand that it is possible to drive if you have had one eye removed. In this case the assessment made by your optician (Or one nominated by the DVLA) is of visual accuity and visual field. Rosemary is right that this forms part of the legal equirement, but it is quite possible to fulfil the requirement without two good eyes.

I'll keep you posted on how when and whether I move forward!

Andrew

ps My older brother retired recently and has gone to the United States to ride his Harley from coast-to-coast. Alarmed by forecasts of a severe winter in the central continent he has repaired to the oceanic climate of Florida to wait out the winter. Who said Old Age Pensioners get no fun?

[GarethB]

My last visit to the hospital has shown I fulfill the requiments for being clinically blind in the right eye, but we are working on fixing it.

Somethings the DVLA are really quick on, trabsfer of registrations less than a week. Claiming back unused car tax was three months. It seems department dependent on how quick you get a result, but they confirmed I am OK to drive with one eye as long as the vision is corrected in tht eye for the duration I am driving. As if I needed to be told, but I ges they need to cover themselves.