driving

[Ann]

I read on the FAQs about needing to tell DVLA and car insurance company about being diagnosed with keratoconus - but what will they do? I have nothing written to say that I have been diagnosed with this although have been told by two opticians. Do I need to get something written by them? - or by my GP? Will I have to have a medical check-up by the DVLA and will my insurance premiums go through the roof? I have real trouble seeing when driving at night-time - is this typical? Sorry for so many questions.
Ann

[jayuk]

Ann

This one is a grey area to be honest. There is a legal requirement for driving thus if you meet that; than whether you have KC or not is irrelevant. However, you may tell the DVLA and your Insurance; however it all boils down to; Can you see in terms of the legal requirements under UK Law.

I would suggest that you ask your optician whether you meet the legal requirements; and if you do; an you really want to be sure, fire off a letter to DVLA and your Insurers just letting them know......however I am 99% certain that they will be more interested in whether you meet the legal limits as opposed to the condition you have

In term of Night time driving; Yep! I can relate to that; as can many others....some get severe halos others hazy and fuzzy vision when headlights come straight at you....

HTH

J

[John Smith]

Ann,

I think the rule/law with notification is that you must notify the DVLA if you have, or develop, any condition which affects the sight IN BOTH EYES.

So, if you only have KC in one eye, no need to notify.

When you do notify, they send you a form (which you can download to speed up the process by a few weeks) which you sign giving them permission to ask your Doctor/Optician/Hospital about your vision. The answer from the medics will either be "Fine", "Terrible", or "Borderline".

If you are borderline, the DVLA will call you to a driving test centre and ask you to read a car numberplate. You get three goes (on different cars), too! If you can't read any of them then your licence is suspended until you re-attend and are able to read the numberplate.

Personally, I'm glad of the system. I'd hate to live with myself if I caused an accident and someone was hurt.

Hope this helps.

[Sweet]

I agree with the replies here. Last year DVLA sent me for a visual acuity test after hearing from my optometrist how bad my vision had become. That was ok as i had already informed them as i was driving at the time.

I have always informed the DVLA and insurance of my condition as the worry of having an accident and not being legally covered was really worrying. I know that most here know their vision tests but having it in writing by an optometrist is definately a safer option. Trying to recover from an accident is not the time to be arguing vision tests!-

Take care, Sweet X x X

[GarethB]

With the DVLA it can be a case of no news is good news.

My hospital were contacted and said I was fine to drive with lenses although I have never heard anything from the DVLA.

A passed my Advanced Driving test while clinically blind in my right eye.

Licencse has never been suspended for normal driving, my insurers never load my insurcance they treat it as if I wear glasses and lenses for cosmetic reasons.

It is only my motorsport licence which is now suspended because of the type of lenses I wear. Before my vision changed 2 years ago I was racing and my competition insurers knew about KC and treated me again like any one competing that wore glasses.

DVLA and insurerers are really nice people at the end of the day.

[debby dennis]

hi
i phoned the dvla today (went on their website number is on contact details) i spoke to a lady and explained that i had keratoconus and did i have to report it. She told me that i didn't have to do anything and that they would send me a leaflet with more details on. i asked whether i should inform my insurance company and she told me that it wouldn't hurt to advise them on the situation. i'll have to give them a call tomorow, as we've been busy trick or treating.
it wouldn't hurt to give them a call and find out what they advise, and if you do it from work, the calls free! lol
debby

[Ann]

Somebody told me they thought there were different glasses you could get that may improve vision for driving at night - anybody know anything about this? She didn't have any more info, just thought she'd heard of some. I asked about reactalites at the optician but was told they don't work in cars because of the UV filter in the windscreen.

[Ann]

Thanks everybody who replied to my question - this is all really very helpful! I have been very heartened by so many helpful and supportive people on the forum - this has made it all much easier to understand and come to terms with the KC. Thankyou all very much!
Ann

[GarethB]

In the back of the weekend papers or in soe of the Innovations catalogues that come with the weekend paper have glasses witha yellow tint which are supposed to help at night.

I find it makes everything a sickly shade of yellow and green traffic lights look very similar to red. Just as well I know the traffic light sequence.

The best I have found is an anti glare window film which you can have installed. Many car accessory places do this now.