DVLA upcoming seeing test for drivers over 70.

[Drago]

Regardless of my health or eyesight I plan to quit driving in my early 70s. Its a chore I do as possible and even then only under sufferance, and don't want to waste time, money or intellectual capacity doing something so onerous.

 

[fossyant]

I think every driver has a duty of care, to seek a checkup if you suspect poor vision. You then have to declare if you need glasses to drive

People don't though. SIL carried on driving with cataracts so bad she was operated on virtually immediately when they found out. She couldn't see well at night

Crazy really. As a glasses user I've been keen to always ensure I can see well. I couldn't drive without them.

 

[bikingdad90]

Eye tests are one thing but what about mental capacity too?

It is sad to say but some people start to develop signs of mental health decline as they get older; not sufficient enough to impact every day activities but enough to impact cognitive functioning when driving, yet people are still allowed to drive. For example, getting confused about where they are, speed limits etc.

 

[Bristolian]

I believe that the only acceptable test for DVLA is one done by Specsavers.
They bought the contract a while ago.

Whilst I understand what you mean, it would be more correct to say that the only provider approved to conduct the DVLA test are Specsavers.

 

[Bristolian]

As someone who will be 71 in a few days time (no cakes please ) and an IAM advanced driver/observer I have no issues with being told I have to have an eyesight test to renew my license. I wear varifocal glasses and get my eyes tested every two years but if my eyesight isn't up to scratch then it doesn't matter how good my mechanical driving skills are I'm a danger to other road users and should not be behind the wheel of two tons or metal capable of travelling at 100+ mph. Also, as a road cyclist I would rather approaching drivers were able to see me.

I do, however, take issue with the way this is being implemented and it smacks of underhand dealings between DVLA and Specsavers. Having a single provider for this important test is a rather contentious position which is being challenged by Age UK, with a likelihood it will end up in court. It is also suggested that Specsavers have neither sufficient stores (approx. 900) nor qualified Optometrists to be able to handle the volume of tests needed annually. Of course, if they fail enough in year one that potential problem will be reduced/go away. The DVLA contract states that only qualified optometrists who have been specifically trained to carry out the test are authorised to conduct it but, as anyone that uses Specsavers will know, it is usually a shop assistant that carries out the visual field and intraocular pressure tests. This will be something that will be watched carefully when I go for my test in a couple of years time.

The Government are clearly intent on removing older drivers from our roads, despite all of the evidence that they are far less likely to cause a collision that other age groups. Is imposing this test on the over-70s ageism? I don't know, but it is creating yet another us and them conflict with the "news" media stoking the fires as they do with anti-cycling rhetoric. TBH, if my wife wasn't disabled and reliant on us having a car I'd probably hand in my license in a couple of years anyway.

PS: Not only are older drivers less likely to cause collisions but they are more likely to pay their VED, insure their cars and have a valid MOT than many younger drivers - it's a generational thing - the older generation are generally more law-abiding. No offence meant to any younger, law-abiding, drivers reading this

 

[Profpointy]

We bullied my late father into having an eye test, in part because it was increasingly apparent he couldn't see properly to drive. The lady told him his sight was indeed quite poor but he was technically legal to drive with me desperately gesturing to her not to say that !

He had cataracts in both eyes and when we left he casually said "I thought it was cataracts". FFS was my immediate thought! He did subsequently have both eyes done and could then see perfectly without glasses even to read.

 

[Profpointy]

Eye tests are one thing but what about mental capacity too?

It is sad to say but some people start to develop signs of mental health decline as they get older; not sufficient enough to impact every day activities but enough to impact cognitive functioning when driving, yet people are still allowed to drive. For example, getting confused about where they are, speed limits etc.

Do you include "attitude" and "Not driving like a twat" as part of mental capacity or just the decline due to age?

 

[dicko]

Specsavers have tested my eyesight three times for the DVLA eyesight test (once every three years) each time I have passed. I had a Cataract in my right eye which was removed (2020) and since then not needed glasses for driving. I will be 79 at Christmas and am thinking of giving up our Ka but retaining my license as I may buy a cheap Scooter. I did fail my DVLA test last time but the Specsavers optician told me to do it again and don’t press the button so much on the vision test, I then passed ok.

 

[mistyoptic]

I believe that the only acceptable test for DVLA is one done by Specsavers.
They bought the contract a while ago.

That is a specific “field of vision” test which is not the same thing

 

[Once a Wheeler]

Sites such as this one give a good guide to whether you should get your eyes tested. Their results are only a guide, not a test, so if they are at all unclear for you, get tested by an optician.

 

[Alex321]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but AFAIK there has been no decision on introducing compulsory over-70 eyesight tests.

There are lots of headlines about it (including several saying it is due to be introduce in October this year), but I have not been able to find any official information at all.

And it isn't something the DVLA can just decide to do, it needs regulations.

Currently, you just have to tick a box on a renewal application every three years to say "I am still fit to drive". According to various articles, in future you will need to pass a sight test and get a doctor's certificate of fitness. But as I say, I cannot find anything official about this.

 

[Alex321]

People don't though. SIL carried on driving with cataracts so bad she was operated on virtually immediately when they found out. She couldn't see well at night

Crazy really. As a glasses user I've been keen to always ensure I can see well. I couldn't drive without them.

My nephew was killed a few years ago, when he was on a motorcycle at night and somebody pulled out in front of him - turned out they had cataracts in both eyes (which had been diagnosed) - he apparently said "my doctor didn't say I shouldn't drive", but was still convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

 

[Alex321]

Sites such as this one give a good guide to whether you should get your eyes tested. Their results are only a guide, not a test, so if they are at all unclear for you, get tested by an optician.

Totally useless for anybody who needs reading glasses.

 

[Drago]

Oh, the DVLA do lots of stuff while ignoring the law and regulations.

For example, their newish definition of motorcaravan is utterly at odds with the Con and Use 1986 definition. The DVLAs is their own made up one, the Con and Use one is actual law, legislation approved by Parliament.

This is important, as speed limits are different to that for the vans upon which theyre based.

So the dibble prosecute for speeding on the basis of DVLA category, and then the court invariably throws it put because the DVLA do not decide speed limits, Parliament does.

Im surprised anyone at the DVLA can even spell DVLA.

 

[presta]

Just out of interest, has anyone on here got any experience of driving on Section 88, and if so, how did that work out for you?

Specsavers have tested my eyesight three times for the DVLA eyesight test

When I asked Specsavers if my eyes were OK for driving the guy told me I'd have to test them myself, as his room isn't 20m long.