Driving Sight Failiure!

chunkytfg

Spender£ wrote: »

After having my first ever driving lesson i was asked by the instructor to read a number plate from distance and i failed.
I do wear specs but i had no idea my sight was this bad, he told me i won't be getting any other lessons as i would be a liability on the road. I wanted to start a new chapter in my life but i'm not sure whether to get a second opinion.
My optician said my eyesight will not get any better but she was surprised to hear i failed reading the number with my glasses on.:(

Out of interest what is you're prescription?

IIRC anything worse than +12 or -12 is bad enough to be considered 'blind'.

My glasses are +4.75/+5.25 and without them or my Contact lenses I will give myself a headache trying to read a plate at 20./67 feet but I can just about do it. With them it's fine.

Jackmydad

What worries me is the number of people you see driving, who are peering through the screen, leaning as close to it as they can get.
Of course if you asked them, they would be able to see fine. . .

Want a licence?
Get a proper eye check, not a self assessed "I can see a bright yellow juggernaut jack-knifing towards me at 20 yards so I'll be OK"
Should be a requirement to hold or renew a licence IMHO.

no1catman

The problem with the self-assessment is that it doesn't ask the right questions.
It asks (if memory serves) rather naively does your sight meet the legal requirements? I mean who is going to say 'no'!

What it should IMHO say is something like:
- "When did yo last have an eye-test" Please enclose a copy of your prescription if you had one.

If the DVL gets a reply of more than a year (or even worse), told to get one and supply the prescription or confirmation one not required.

facade

no1catman wrote: »

What it should IMHO say is something like:
- "When did yo last have an eye-test" Please enclose a copy of your prescription if you had one.

If the DVL gets a reply of more than a year (or even worse), told to get one and supply the prescription or confirmation one not required.

Even the NHS suggest every two years is fine, unless there is a clinical reason to check them more often, or you are over 70.

no1catman

facade wrote: »

Even the NHS suggest every two years is fine, unless there is a clinical reason to check them more often, or you are over 70.

Since 'self-assessment' was mentioned thought that referred to 'over 70' - when a few months before that birthday drivers are contacted by the DVL to renew their license (or not).
Because I did my renewal on-line I lost a couple of classes - but then I can't imagine wanting to drive a 7.5 to truck!! Or a mini-bus (with passengers). Though about fifteen years ago, used to do about 2,000 miles a month in a large (Boxer) panel van. Now it's more like 2000 a year!

AdrianC

no1catman wrote: »

Since 'self-assessment' was mentioned thought that referred to 'over 70' - when a few months before that birthday drivers are contacted by the DVL to renew their license (or not).
Because I did my renewal on-line I lost a couple of classes - but then I can't imagine wanting to drive a 7.5 to truck!!

A lot of pensioners find they have to change the motorhome they've been used to driving for a smaller one when they hit 70...

Vortigern

Spender£ wrote: »

I do wear specs but i had no idea my sight was this bad...

Were your specs clean?

I know of a person who failed his test because his glasses were dirty. After cleaning them he could read the number plate perfectly.

AdrianC

Vortigern wrote: »

Were your specs clean?

I know of a person who failed his test because his glasses were dirty. After cleaning them he could read the number plate perfectly.

mad_spaniel

I had an eye test yesterday with vision express. 2 years ago with Specsavers. I was told my long distance had improved now and I no longer needed to wear glasses when driving. I queried this and was told that sometimes sight improved. I only expected it to get worse with age, so news to me.

Car_54

mad_spaniel wrote: »

I had an eye test yesterday with vision express. 2 years ago with Specsavers. I was told my long distance had improved now and I no longer needed to wear glasses when driving. I queried this and was told that sometimes sight improved. I only expected it to get worse with age, so news to me.

You should contact the DVLA and get the code removed from your licence, to save you any future inconvenience.