Age 70/Glasses

Bonniepurple

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81954013#Comment_81954013

Yep. Easiest thing in the world. Every time you renew your photocard licence you need to attach a recent (within 1 year) eye test report. That then will not only show if you meet the (frankly low) eyesight standard for driving, but also if you have some medical conditions that you should have declared to the DVLA but might not have got around to (eg diabetes, glaucoma).

Nebulous2

I get my eyes tested every two years, at vision express. For at least the last three tests they have asked me if I drive, and have specified that I meet the standard required for driving, without any prompting.

I have a relative who developed glaucoma, was referred to the eye hospital by his optician, where they told him they were referring him to DVLA. He then received a letter telling him to surrender his driving licence immediately. So the system may be inefficient, but there is a route to confirming that someone's eyesight does not meet the standard required for driving.

badmemory

Of course the problem is if you never bother having your eyes tested & are happy to lie at licence renewal time as some seem to be then you get away with it until caught. Irresponsible definitely but that seems to be acceptable by many these days. You do actually have to have a licence before they can take it off you.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81960301#Comment_81960301

I think all drivers should have regular eye tests, every 2-3 years as a condition of retaining their licence. No test, no licence.

badmemory

Me too! Age is completely irrelevant. I've said before on here that both my parents & my sibling needed glasses to both drive & read by the time they were 25, so I had regular eye tests from before I was 20. Better safe than sorry but didn't need them until mid 50s for reading & almost 70 for driving.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81960334#Comment_81960334

People acquire age related illnesses, so age is a factor, which is why your driving licence expires when you reach 70 and when renewed, it must then be renewed every 3 years.

Car_54

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81960183#Comment_81960183

AFAIK optometrists are not qualified to diagnose diabetes, or indeed anything other than eye-related problems.

badmemory

They are not qualified to diagnose iron deficiancy but thankfully (as of over 60 years ago) they can.

Skiddaw1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81960523#Comment_81960523

No, but they can spot underlying issues and make the appropriate referral.

A friend of ours was diagnosed with a brain tumour following a routine eye test.

Car_54

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81961272#Comment_81961272

Indeed, but referring to a specialist is different to informing the DVLA.

The original suggestion was that they should report conditions (e.g. diabetes) to the DVLA. My optician "knows" I've got diabetes, but only because I've told her..