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  • Driving licence renewal at 70

    Had my 3 year driving licence reminder this week from DVLA. As I have an eye condition (glaucoma)I was requested to have an eye test at Specsavers. After booking an appointment I went along to my nearest branch yesterday. They did a field test (zapping the white dots) which I got 100% then had the acuity test (reading the chart). Has the standard for driving been upped? as the size of letters on the chart for minimum standard seem a lot smaller than last time I had the test (3 years ago)
    On the old type chart they were quite big and you really would have bad eye sight not to be able to read them. The minimum was line 5 (6/12) Specsavers like most opticians these days use a computor generated chart which maybe is not as clear as the old paper cart.
    Anyway good news I passed.

  • #2
    I am just coming up for my first 70+ licence. As I am not prepared to let DVLA rob me of some licence classes, namely C1, D1, C1E and D1E, I am having to go for an eye test and a medical. These are for LGV's up to 7500kg and minibuses, with and without trailers.

    At the medical, do they still make you bend forward and cough?

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    • #3
      Originally posted by IanCordes View Post
      I am just coming up for my first 70+ licence. As I am not prepared to let DVLA rob me of some licence classes, namely C1, D1, C1E and D1E, I am having to go for an eye test and a medical. These are for LGV's up to 7500kg and minibuses, with and without trailers.

      At the medical, do they still make you bend forward and cough?
      That will be the standard LGV/PCV medical conducted by your GP (or other authorised source) GP's charge for this can be £100 or more (last one I had when I was driving buses & coaches) was £75 five years ago.
      If you are all clear with no problems (mainly heart or eye conditions) the licence will be issued by DVLA after its been through their medical section.
      BUT if you have declared an ongoing medical condition, or you doc finds one, you will have to undertake additional tests at places specified by DVLA. Usually a local hospital if heart related or Specsavers for eye conditions.
      Best of luck.

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      • #4
        There are approved companies who do it, because most doctors won't do the eye check as well. My GP wanted £130 for the medical, but didn't really want to do it, so gave me the number of a company who specialise in these medicals. They also do the eye test, all for £58; not so bad, as the eye test would have been on top of my GP's bill.

        As for underlying conditions, if they discover something then it could be timely anyway, couldn't it?

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        • #5
          Originally posted by IanCordes View Post
          As for underlying conditions, if they discover something then it could be timely anyway, couldn't it?
          Yes it can take up to 2 months whilst all the checks/tests are made. Good thing is that you will be OK to continue driving on your expired licence till its all concluded. Up side of this is that you may get a couple of months extension on your licence period as they dont back date to licence expiry date.

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          • #6
            Doctors on Wheels do medicals for HGV drivers quite cheaply. Acceptable to the DVLA but not the ACU for some reason. Dogsbody

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            • #7
              Diabetic

              If you think being 70+ is bad try being a diabetic on insulin and wanting to hold onto all you codes!!

              Every year you get "summoned" to take an eye test and a medical with all implied menaces, it makes me feel like a criminal. You can't go to your GP, you have to go to a specialist at the hospital 30+ miles away.

              I'm not HGV but drive a Motor home which is 4t and tow a trailer which is 1t+

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