DVLA - Blind in one eye

iregretitall

Hello,

Someone I know was helping his brother complete his DVLA driving license applincation form and when helping him he noticed a section in the medical part about if you have experianced loss of sight in one eye.

The problem, he realised that when he completed his own form about 6 or 7 years ago he didnt select this box when sending off for his own license (he is blind in one eye). I asked him why he didnt tick yes to that part and he told me that had not experianced loss of sight in one eye as he was born like it.

He is a very honest guy and doesnt want to get in trouble however since passing his test about 7 years ago he is worried that if he was to call DVLA that they may take away his license from him, (He drives everyday to work for the past 5 years).

He mentioned that the DVLA allow you to drive if your blind in one eye, if you had an accident and lost the sight in one eye then they say its roughly 3 months to get used to it and then your back on the road.

He said to me he passed the eyesight test after reading a number plate from 20 meters away with the examiner next to him and the examiner didnt ask any questions about why his eye was permantley squinted to the left either.

His point is that he has not experianced loss of sight in one eye as he was born like it so he doesnt know if he should call them and inform them or not.

If he does call them which I get the feeling he doesnt want to (as what he said does make sense being that he has not "experianced the loss") just that he relies heavily on his car everyday to drive to and from work and to visit family twice a month up north that they will revoke his license thus loosing his job which also relies on use of the car for the type of work he does.

What does he do, is he correct with saying he hasnt experianced a loss of sight as he was born like it and is used to it after living with it for 25 years ???

casper_g

Have a look here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/DG_10031253

Most of that page just talks about "if you have sight in only one eye", but it does mention "loss of sight" in one eye once. I can see why this could be confusing -- I tend to read official forms very literally myself, on the possibly unjustified assumption that the language used will have been considered carefully. It sounds like there won't be a problem with your friend driving as long as his sighted eye works well, but if he wants to make sure he's covered himself he should probably contact the DVLA to make sure.

Inactive

No problem driving a car with one eye, as long as he can read a number plate in good daylight at the prescribed distance.

He should have no worries.

Nilrem

Yup, I'd inform them about it, be honest that he's reread it on the renewal form and is worried that he may not have informed them originally.

My dad has effectively lost the sight in one eye (one of many problems with his eyes), but as far as the DVLA are concerned as long as he passes the sight tests they set, and his optician/specialist are happy he's ok (he's on a short licence, but that's mainly because of the other issues).

Basically as long as you can still see ok out of one eye (pass the distance, field of vision etc tests), and the other eye isn't causing problems it should be ok.

maninthestreet

This does worry me - with only one eye you can't judge distances, which is quite important when driving.....

busiscoming2

maninthestreet wrote: »

This does worry me - with only one eye you can't judge distances, which is quite important when driving.....

Surely if the guy has only had HIS sense of sight as it is all his life, then he is able to understand distance?

david39

He should definitely report it because, if he was involved in a serious accident which had in-depth investigation, it would probably come to light and affect his insurance cover, even though he may have previously declared it to the insurer - effectively, he is driving with an insecure licence and the insurer would then have grounds to challenge any claim.

If he reports it, he'll probably be asked to attend a DVLA-chosen optician in his area and undergo a distance-reading test and a field test (that ensures he has a wide angle of view). I recently went through the same process when I renewed my licence at 70 with glaucoma. The whole process takes about 15 minutes and, in my case, the cost was borne by the DVLA but that may have been because I was above retirement age.

drew2k9

he needs to inform them asap, as if he were to have an accident that could even slightly be attributed to only having sight in one eye (ie distances, because having sight in one eye weather from birth or later in life will affect your depth perception, you need to eyes to be able to judge distances accurately no matter what) then he would be in big trouble for not informing the dvla.

i agree the question is probably worded incorrectly on the form, but anyone with any sense would have realised, "oh wait, i onle have sight in one eye, i wonder does that apply to me" as it obviously does.

but as has already been said i think they should be fine with it.

also have his insurance company been informed? they really need to know this too. has he been passed as medically fit to drive by the dvla regardless of passing his test and numberplate test? this is also a must,

he could land himself in a whole world of difficulties if he doesnt rectify the situation as soon as possible.

maninthestreet

busiscoming2 wrote: »

Surely if the guy has only had HIS sense of sight as it is all his life, then he is able to understand distance?

YOu need 2 eyes to be able to judge distance accurately - it's not something you can overcome by living with sight in only one eye for years.
However, as the law allows a person to drive even if they have only one good eye, then it must be safe (I hope).

Inactive

All that matters is the fact that he can read a number plate in good daylight at the prescribed distance, that is all the law requires to drive a motor car.

He can do that, so there is no problem, regarding his eyesight.

drew2k9

having done a bit of research ive found that if he is tested, the dvla will decide if he is allowed to drive as each case is different for individuals where it is regarding monocular vision.

he may have his licence revoked if they feel his periferal vision field is lower than required, or also they may require him to wear special perscribed glasses which aid with increasing periferal vision, or he may have to have his car fitted with additional mirrors for the same purpose.

so the above wide sweeping statement is incorrect.