Thank you , cant understand why you would only get one chance if there is continuous improvement? Ii have seen my gp and will do again in the near future,i was driving completely confidentally for 3 months with no problems!
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I have seen a lot of anecdotal comment but have limited 1st hand experience. I have read quite a lot of the DVLAs documents from their website and other peopleās commentaries which are sometimes confused.
Anecdotally I have heard that once the āunfit to driveā pronouncement has been made it is final. Therefore not applying too early is a tactic to consider.
the medical professions generally are aware but arenāt expert in DVLA policy - specSavers as the contract holder will be better informed than GPs. if you have a test They are required to inform the DVLA. Iām not sure if the test of eyes and the assessment of driving are one item or can be two items on the path to return of your licence
I do know that surrendering a licence makes the future recovery easier than if it is revoked. Having your licence revoked is temporary, it isnāt the permanent step. Having failed the assessment for its return is the permanent decision.
Not sure Iāve really added anything but I hope that his points help.
I think Iāve posted all of the links that relevant to the DVLA in other posts which can be found by searching with a magnifying glass above
Caio
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@sandraplaskow did you read the assessment for medical professionals that @SimonInEdinburgh posted at the start? Chapter 6 deals with eyes and gives exceptional circumstances. In my opinion there wouldnāt be any point unless you can pass the test at specsavers. This is the phone number for DVLA medical line maybe they could better guide you 0300 790 6806. Hopefully you can get continued improvement. Good luck
Steve
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Thank you ,yes i have read and spoken to dvla and will do so again after my next visual field test
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I too was in exactly same predicament .Thankfully I am now back driving again
Reading your story reminds me so much of me at the same stage . I was desperate to get back to work and driving in particular . I had left sided vision field loss . originally it was almost entirely gone on the left with me walking into door frames that i simply couldnāt see
I fell out with Specsavers on several occasions as i was jumping the gun . Every time i was aware of a small improvement i booked another test and failed
I have no particular specialisation in this field i can only speak of my own experience
I was advised by ophthalmologist at my local hospital that it is possible for the brain to reroute following stroke and make new pathwayās to repair lost sight due to stroke or tia
Please donāt quote me on that i have no specialist knowledge .
In my case it took from April to August off road until i was eventually passed fit to drive by local hospital
I was fortunate and i am aware of that so i can only hope you have the same experience .
I did every eye exercise possible BTW
I donāt know if it helped but it made me feel better at the time
My vision is now better than it was before my stroke . My prescription has improved
Good luck Sandra
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Well done !!
As well as leaving time to have beneficial effects what exercises or other actions did you take to help deliver this improvement?
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Thats is an uplifting story and am so pleased you had a great result ,how did you eventually persuade the dvla that you were ok to drive and what evidence did you produce? I am presently on holiday with no need to drive and my last result at the hospital was much improved. I cannot bear thinking of the whole summer not being able to drive , in your experience should i have field tests every 6 weeks? How long from start of your stroke to be able to drive?
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By the way did specsavers have to do your final test? And did the dvla take your doctors recommendations?
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I had my stroke in April. Advised the DVLA at that time. Failed the vision test in August then passed in October. Specsavers advised the DVLA and I was approved to drive in November. That said, I am now driving again, but only for 15 minutes a day, as I get so incredibly tired. Between August and October, I used the Visual Attention Therapy app to improve my left peripheral vision and I had scalp acupuncture which seemed to help.
I really wouldnāt be in a mad rush to get back on the road, let your brain do a bit more healing first. Driving is very hard on a fragile brain, so many things to think about at the same time. I am amazed at how knackered I get on country roads that Iāve driven on daily for 20 plus years.
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So pleased you are driving , i had been driving for 3 months after my stroke when i hadnāt been diagnosed yet! Up and down motorways with no problem?, these comments are all very helpful in giving me some hope ,will look at the therapies
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@HSE1 thank you for sharing your story it gives us all so much hope, that recovery could be possible after sight loss following a stroke best wishes well done x
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I am still not siting for dvla to let me drive I had my bleed oct 22 they surrendered my licence for a year they said but still I have not heard after repeated letter phone calls and have a clean bill of health from dr eye clinic and neuro surgeon who says there is no problem! I donāt understand I feel Iām able to drive and yet getting so frustrated as my bus pass runs out in March and Iām going to be stuck as I cannot walk really now a daysā¦ I will be ringing again next week to find out what the hold up is.
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That doesnt sound good! I found i could call them and am away from home atm and will do so when i return.why cant you renew your bus pass? As i have said having another visual peripheral test on march 7th with Boots opticians,wish me luck ,am not looking forward to going home and having my husband drive me around!
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