Finding Out If Someone Is Safe To Drive?

Titch89

I have a friend who is partially sighted in one eye & has all the sight in the other. According to the DVLA & his mum, he has to prove he's safe enough to drive, but how would he do this? He can't take any lessons until he proves he is safe. He can read the number plate from the required distance.

Wig

Presumably an optician would know what the minimum requirement is, as they have to report anyone who drops below the minimum to DVLA. (I think)

Titch89

He does meet the requirements, but he's going to have to (somehow) prove he's safe enough to drive. He has Nystagmus as well, which makes it harder because of the tiredness.

Conor_3

Needs a medical certificate of some sort then. But there's something about this that I don't get. If you put on the provisional licence that you have a medical condition, they have to check that before they issue the provisional licence. Once you've got that licence, you've no need to prove you're safe enough to drive to a driving school because you've already satisfied DVLA that you are otherwise they'd not have issued a licence unless you lied on the form.

cajef

From the DVLA website note the last sentence:-

Visual field standards

You must also ensure that you have an adequate field of vision. The field of vision standard requires a specific width of visual field without significant defects in the sensitive central area. If you have total loss of sight in one eye you must not have any defect in the visual field of the remaining eye. If you have any doubt about whether you can meet the requirements, your GP, optician or eye specialist will be able to advise you.

foreign_correspondent

ask your consultant or specialist nurse for advice, they will know exactly how to proceed

McKneff

the medical proffesion dont have to report anyone with poor vision to the DVLA, its up to the person involved. My husband had only the sight in one eye for 20 years and drove (with permission) he then had problems with his other eye which after 2 or 3 detached retinas deprived him of his periphal vision. He had some sort of test at the opticians and he was advised not to drive because his vision field was impaired. He has never driven since but he still has his licence.

cajef

anniehanlon wrote: »

the medical proffesion dont have to report anyone with poor vision to the DVLA

Your husband has obviously take the responsible and sensible decision not to drive, unfortunately there a lot unlike him who do carry on driving when they are not fit to do so despite the DVLA's driving licence conditions:-

If you've had, or currently suffer from a medical condition or disability that may affect your driving you must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You'll also need to provide details if you develop a new condition or disability or one that has become worse since your licence was issued.

If you already have a driving licence and need to tell DVLA of a medical condition or disability, you must tell them right away and not wait until your licence is due for renewal.

Failure to notify DVLA is a criminal offence and is punishable by a fine of up to £1000

It does seem illogical that unless someone actually informs the DVLA themselves they can get away with driving and maybe cause an accident or worse.

Ms_Chocaholic

Oh no, not another post about Nystagmus :eek:

banger9365

have you ever thought of the sociological affects of been told by dvla that you cannot hold a licence or ever drive because of X problem and you cannot understand why

Titch89

tigtag02 wrote: »

Titch ~ this is NOT your friend, its YOU.

I don't have all my sight in one eye and I certainly can't read the number plate, even ona good day.