Yes. I’m only 68 yet I made the mistake of being honest and stating that I am suspected of having glaucoma in one eye. Naturally, the DVLA instantly cancelled my licence and has been dragging their feet ever since I informed them in November.
In January, I was then informed that I have no sign of any glaucoma and, of course, I informed the DVLA.
Now, at the end of February, they have insisted that I have an eye examination at their preferred opticians, Specsavers. I am sure that the examination will concur with the findings above by the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital - regional specialists.
God knows how long it will take the DVLA to restore my licence after that!
In a year and a half, I too shall be 70 so I fully expect a similar pantomime then!
I tuned seventy last July Barry and they sent me a form to fill in a few weeks before hand, returned the form, and licence came back return of post… I thought that they had forgot to include a couple of groups I was qualified to drive…Minibuses, and 7.5 ton trucks…Apparently when you reach seventy you have to get eye tests and medicals if you still want to drive those, so I let them go…
I have to pass an eye test for my truck licence every time I renew it but that has always been the case and is not age related however once I turn 80 I have to take a driving test each year to keep it. I suspect I will give it away then.
After 75 my doctor has to certify that I am medically fit to drive, I think this has to happen every two years.
It is here Bruce, once you get to seventy you have to supply proof of your medical status and eyesight otherwise they take away your right to drive trucks and minibuses.
It costs quite a bit for all the tests, and a ‘war and peace’ of documents to fill out. Just not worth it now on the off chance I might need to drive either of them…
I gained my class 2 HGV licence with the army back in '68, although at 17 I couldn’t drive civilian trucks. Over the years though I kept the licence current just in case I needed it, which I did occasionally, but gave it up in my late forties as the costs of medicals and the paperwork were just too much of a bother.
I failed my test for HGV 2 Barry, good job I did probably because I had a heart attack two years later and that would have brought my lorry driving to an abrupt end anyway.
I bought a van and became a self employed courier, the best job I ever did… Delivered some things and saw some places!
I thought that they had forgot to include a couple of groups I was qualified to drive…Minibuses, and 7.5 ton trucks…Apparently when you reach seventy you have to get eye tests and medicals if you still want to drive those, so I let them go…
Delivered some things and saw some places!