• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Driving License revoked

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
No, it's an absolute joke.
Basically I've been without it now for 10 month's and all I've done is go around in circles. When it was first revoked both my GP and I asked the DVLA if I could have a second opinion, to which I was refused. I got a solicitor involved due to the discrepancies filed on the report the consultant sent to the DVLA. The DVLA refused two of my reapplications based on me not providing enough evidence. The evidence I provided was two excel documents containing all of my blood glucose meter readings over a period of 8 month's showing proof that I have not suffered any hypo's within that time, blood test results twice within the space of 7 month's, eye screening results and podiatry results all showing no issues, two reports done by my GP and a letter of support wrote by the diabetic specialist who diagnosed and treated me for 9 years.
Last month the DVLA wrote a letter to my GP containing what other evidence I needed to provide them with, I was not allowed a copy of this letter as apparently it contained information that I wasn't allowed to see!!!.
I was then informed by my GP that I could now have a second opinion authorized by the DVLA. I was given two options, first option was to book an appointment through the NHS to see a specialist consultant and wait, or take the second option of being referred to a private specialist that I would have to pay for...
I chose to pay and go private for obvious reasons. When I had my consultation the consultant couldn't find any issues with my control or awareness. He stated to me that my control was good and highlighted reasons for my revocation, all going back to not having a diary with me at my initial appointment with the first specialist consultant, bearing in mind I wasn't asked to take one with me.
The consultant told me how strict the DVLA are and advised that I change my insulin to one that suits my lifestyle and start using the freestyle libre continuous monitoring kit.
It gets better, the libre kit I was advised to use and qualified for on the NHS I couldn't get. I was given the patches but not the reader (no body could get the code for the reader so I still don't have it). I've got to go back to the private specialist in 6 weeks (pay again) with results from my changes, if its positive he will write a report to the DVLA requesting I'm given my license back, and even that isn't a guarantee.
 
Yes I know and I'm aware that a phone can be used, however my phone doesn't work too well at the moment, the battery doesn't last more than a few hour's before it needs recharging and I can't afford to buy another one at this time.
I'll just keep using the old method of finger pricking until I can either afford a new phone or the medical professionals can prescribe me with one (a new reader).
 
andy campbell said:
🙂🙂Newbie here.
I'm 55 and have been diabetic since the age of 7. I have just had my license revoked after my DVLA check up at Spec Savers, totally shell shocked. I'm self employed and need car to get to work and as I live out in the country this is proving very difficult.
I've had laser treatment to both eyes, last treatment was about 14 years ago and eyes have been OK since. Just so happens had my diabetic eye check up the week after revocation, explained to consultant what had happened, he checked my eyes and he said that there had been no change to my eyes since last visit 6 months ago.
So, I want to appeal this decision and have started to look at getting further tests carried out independent opticians, is this a non starter? Will letter/reports from consultants and GP help, (I've read that DVLA will not accept this kind of "argument"). Lots of arguments here, why can someone drive with one eye and not someone with reduced peripheral vision. When driving you do not look straight ahead, you are constantly looking around, looking left and right to check the road. I saw an optician Saturday past, I asked about "one eyed" drivers and asked how they manage, he said they turn their head to see what is coming!! So why can we not have the same
"treatment" when it comes to driving, it makes no sense.
What can be done?? Eye sight is perfect bar this small anomaly🙂
Click to expand...
I had exactly the same circumstances as you 5 years ago, same laser treatment, been T1 for 40 years, then specsavers (who could not operate the machine correctly) sent a report to the DVLA and my licence was revoked - it took me 7 months to get it back on appeal following my submitting a test from an independent optician. As you rightly say nobody drives with their head in a fixed position looking straight ahead!!
I wrote to my MP at the time and was told that this test was an EU requirement - lets hope that now we’re out the test will be dropped and common sense prevails - best of luck!
 
You might be interested to read this: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/oct/17/motorists-banned-dvla-eyesight-test-faulty-equipment Unfortunately they tend to put admin staff to do these tests. Sometimes they set it to go too fast. Also other problems. When tenders were put in for this contract Spec Savers put in such a low cost it should have been obvious that corners would have to be cut. The DVLA were not going to look into their practice or question why their tender was masively cheaper than everyone else's.
 
Lilian said:
You might be interested to read this: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/oct/17/motorists-banned-dvla-eyesight-test-faulty-equipment Unfortunately they tend to put admin staff to do these tests. Sometimes they set it to go too fast. Also other problems. When tenders were put in for this contract Spec Savers put in such a low cost it should have been obvious that corners would have to be cut. The DVLA were not going to look into their practice or question why their tender was masively cheaper than everyone else's.
Click to expand...
When Specsavers conducted my test the operative had 4 attempts to set up the machine and at one point 3 members of staff were arguing over the correct set up. Finally post test they said they did not know how to download the results and would have to wait for someone from another branch to do this!! Doesn’t exactly fill you with confidence when your livelihood depends on a driving licence!
 
Specsavers gave me the wrong prescription glasses - so I could not see properly out of my left eye and kept clipping the curb when driving - I could have killed someone - so I went back to my old optician.
 
I loved Specsavers for years where I used to live - but not after I moved to Coventry.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top