DVLA Rant

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Dawney

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi

So fed up need to get this or my chest, three years ago when I told the DVLA about my diabetes type 1 things went smoothly.

My renewal came through as my licence expires 18/9/09. I have filled in aload of paperwork with appointment dates etc... and a copy of my sight test and screening from April 09.

They have just wrote back saying before they will renew I need a sight test with one of their nominated opticians WHY..... I had one 4 months ago. They are paying for the test, woopydo which is tomorrow at 2pm. I am doing this in works time and the letter states they will not pay of travel expenses.

I can't get through on the phone to ask WHY. I feel its a time waste especially my time and money. I have only been in my job a few months and feel like my diabetes is in they way even though nobody says anything.

This is the first time I have renewed after the inital call made to the DVLA. Are they normally like this when you need your licence.

😡😡
 
hi Dawney sorry to hear you seem to be having a total nightmare i cant advise as i dont drive but i hope you get it all sorted out it sounds like 1 more hassle you really dont need

good luck with it x
 
dont know if its different because you have a full licence but when my provisional was renewed My diabetes consultant signed a few forms saying fine i didnt have to do anything

Sounds like a pain and i hope it not like it all the time i have my test in a few weeks

stuart
 
I damn well hope not Dawny, still at least work are okay about it, hope you're not having to shell out too much to get there! If things get heavy, I've got contacts at DVLA!!
 
Did DVLA tell you the appointment time & date as well as nominated optician? If so, that seems particularly tough, as you might be able to pick a more convenient time eg missing less work or combining the journey with another task, making better use of your time or money. I've been lucky - each renewal has only required a GP medical, or, since going to hospital each year, stating hospital & consultant details on the form, then DVLA writes, with no further involvement from me.
I'm going to move this to the driving DVLA forum.
 
Hello,

I've been driving since I was 18 (now 31) and was diagnosed not long after passing my test.

I have renewed my license 4 times, most recently in February and I've never had to go for any further checks. I just fill in the forms and give permission for them to access my GP notes and thats it.

Seems very strange.

NiVZ
 
Sounds like a real pain. I don't drive, so one less hassel for me. The nurse at my doctors decided I needed to go on the Patient activity referal scheme. I am having a major problem getting an appointment at a times to suit me and a letter or something to prove I have the appointment. All stress we can do without...
 
Dawney said:
I can't get through on the phone to ask WHY. I feel its a time waste especially my time and money. I have only been in my job a few months and feel like my diabetes is in they way even though nobody says anything.
Click to expand...

Hi Dawney,
I sympathise with your problem.

Use this number 01792 799080. Direct line to the medical branch. And it's cheaper.
 
Last edited:
Hi Copepod
The letter said I had to make the appointment within 4 days of the date I received the letter, no date or time appointed, but when I rang the nominated opticians they said they are very busy no saturdays available or lunch times, so I am having a late lunch as its 2pm. Also which i didn't mention I must take the letter from the DVLA and to take a passport or utility bill,to the appointment b****y hell its the opticians
 
brightontez said:
Hi Dawney,
I sympathise with your problem.

Use this number 01792 79908. Direct line to the medical branch. And it's cheaper.
Click to expand...

thank Tez will try this number.
Dawney sorry to hear you are having these problems I need to chase my driving lisence it expires in september and I sent the forms over a month ago and heard nothing. Hope your appointment goes ok.
 
The test DVLA require isn't usually a full eye test, but a periphery vision test.

I think they are looking for 120 degree field of vision which is the legal minimum to drive with.

The reason for the nominated optician is that some don't have the required test equipment for the specific DVLA test.

As for the tight time window for contacting the optician its so that the overall timeframe for your license renewal isn't compromised.

An issue I've experienced with DVLA is that they can run to the 11th hour before issuing a new license.

If your license expires and you don't have permission from DVLA in writing, usually your new license you are technically and legally not able to drive as you don't have a driving license.

Leaving the making of the appointment too long will result in the whole process being delayed and DVLA don't want to be faced with people saying it's DVLAs fault.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top