Driving License

[John Smith]

It's a funny old world!

One minute you're quite happy, driving along and seeing, not perfectly, but comfortably enough to be driving. And then you get a Bad Eye Day.

This was just after I moved house, so of course, I had to notify the DVLA. Their new form asks a pertinent question for KCers - "Have you now, or have you ever had, any eye condition which affected the vision in both eyes".

Well, for me I had to say yes. More forms arrive in the post. What have you got? Which consultant? Which hospital? How long? When did you last visit? Then... poof! Driving licence not returned! Letter saying it's been revoked!

Urgent phone calls, and verbal assurance that the revokation is cancelled, and yes, I can drive again as long as I can see to the required standard.

Some time later, I realise that the licence is still not returned, but this was just after a rejection episode, so wasn't really worth chasing.

Then, just as my vision with sclerals was pretty good, I apply for my licence to be returned. More forms (this time, I was sneaky, and downloaded them from the web!). More letters to opticians. More delay.

Then terror. Another rejection. Followed by worse news. The DVLA want me to have a sight test! NOoooooooooo!!

My consultant is not sure why my vision isn't up to much at the moment. It's often (but not always) cloudy, and is now getting to the point where I see circular rainbow halos around bright lights. One thing she was sure of though: I'd almost certainly fail the DVLA test.

Then yesterday was the day of the test. Do I pass and get my licence back, or do I end up applying for a free travel pass?

I turned up at the test centre on a misty day, and was greeted by my examiner. He explained the rules. I'd get up to three goes. One car he'd select would be obviously further away than the required distance. If I failed that, I'd get a car a little closer. Another fail, and the tape measure would come out. Fail that one and it's sayonara!

So into the car park. "Please read the number of the Mercedes over there".
"Err..."
"It's the silver one!"
"Thanks. Sorry, can't read it."

Oh dear. Car 2.

"Have a go at the blue Vauxhall on the left". Pity; I could manage the one on the right!!
With only a little difficulty I read the number.
"Sorry, that's not right. Try again"

Thankfully, on a more careful read, I discovered I was one letter out.

I'VE PASSED!!!!!

And on a bad eye day too. Still can't believe it!

[Kim Remmington]

John
That's fantastic. Well done eyes!!!

[jayuk]

John

Good on ya and congrats!!

Was that with the rejection "eye"....? If so thats good going after your episodes over the past few months!!

[Andrew MacLean]

Well done John! I'm still no further forward.
Andrew

[John Smith]

Was that with the rejection "eye"....? If so thats good going after your episodes over the past few months!!

Yes, that's the grafted eye. The other one is pretty useless without a scleral (fingers only), although with the scleral it is a little better, and certainly helps the grafted eye out a bit.

Of course, I should have said: I was wearing the single scleral in my non-grafted eye and glasses over the grafted one for the test.