Canalsman
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I learned quite a lot today...
I decided to apply early for the C1 etc retention on the second occasion that I needed to do so. Because I have a medical condition, limited vision in one eye, it has to be done via post.
The first C1 retention request was back in 2021 during Covid times and it took over four months! There continue to be reports of slow processing so I applied at the end of December just after the three month pre-expiry application window had commenced. Much to my surprise I had a reply dated 8 January requiring a visual field test again. Unfortunately I can't attend within the stipulated four weeks because I'm in Spain.
I called the DVLA on the number provided and rather than wait in a queue I requested a call back which came some 30 minutes later. I explained the situation and enquired if the test could be deferred. The advice given was to call the Specsavers DVLA team on the number provided in the letter attached to the DVLA letter.
Their response was that the test could be delayed by up to 15 days after the initial 28 window. This didn't help given that I plan to returm mid-March so I called DVLA again for further advice. After another successful call back the rather less helpful DVLA person stated very bluntly that if I couldn't comply with the time period requirements the licence renewal application that I'd made would be cancelled. And that my driving licence would be cancelled TODAY and that I would no longer be permitted to drive!
This despite my licence expiry being 25 March!
I decided to call Specsavers again to book an appointment within the permitted window then return to the UK early. A very helpful gentleman listened to my explanation of the situation and told me that the DVLA information was incorrect.
The key point is that there is a procedure to cope with an applicant's inability to attend for a sight test. This is not unusual, for example a driver who has had a cataract operation cannot be tested for six months. Ill health and absence from the country are other reasons.
What Specsavers are doing on my behalf is the following. They are writing to DVLA to cancel the existing request for a sight test, in Specsavers terms the existing case is to be cancelled. Further the explanation is provided to DVLA and a request made for a new case to be opened so that I am able to attend. In my case DVLA will be asked to open a new case at the beginning of March. This request will then be added to DVLA's renewal application notes and I should receive a further letter, under a new Specsavers case number, requesting my attendance for the requisite test.
I panicked at what I was told by the DVLA, as you might imagine, but thankfully due to the help provided by Specsavers the problem has been resolved.
I thanked the kind man profusely and told him that my next pair of specs will be purchased from them. A big UP to Specsavers!
I decided to apply early for the C1 etc retention on the second occasion that I needed to do so. Because I have a medical condition, limited vision in one eye, it has to be done via post.
The first C1 retention request was back in 2021 during Covid times and it took over four months! There continue to be reports of slow processing so I applied at the end of December just after the three month pre-expiry application window had commenced. Much to my surprise I had a reply dated 8 January requiring a visual field test again. Unfortunately I can't attend within the stipulated four weeks because I'm in Spain.
I called the DVLA on the number provided and rather than wait in a queue I requested a call back which came some 30 minutes later. I explained the situation and enquired if the test could be deferred. The advice given was to call the Specsavers DVLA team on the number provided in the letter attached to the DVLA letter.
Their response was that the test could be delayed by up to 15 days after the initial 28 window. This didn't help given that I plan to returm mid-March so I called DVLA again for further advice. After another successful call back the rather less helpful DVLA person stated very bluntly that if I couldn't comply with the time period requirements the licence renewal application that I'd made would be cancelled. And that my driving licence would be cancelled TODAY and that I would no longer be permitted to drive!
This despite my licence expiry being 25 March!
I decided to call Specsavers again to book an appointment within the permitted window then return to the UK early. A very helpful gentleman listened to my explanation of the situation and told me that the DVLA information was incorrect.
The key point is that there is a procedure to cope with an applicant's inability to attend for a sight test. This is not unusual, for example a driver who has had a cataract operation cannot be tested for six months. Ill health and absence from the country are other reasons.
What Specsavers are doing on my behalf is the following. They are writing to DVLA to cancel the existing request for a sight test, in Specsavers terms the existing case is to be cancelled. Further the explanation is provided to DVLA and a request made for a new case to be opened so that I am able to attend. In my case DVLA will be asked to open a new case at the beginning of March. This request will then be added to DVLA's renewal application notes and I should receive a further letter, under a new Specsavers case number, requesting my attendance for the requisite test.
I panicked at what I was told by the DVLA, as you might imagine, but thankfully due to the help provided by Specsavers the problem has been resolved.
I thanked the kind man profusely and told him that my next pair of specs will be purchased from them. A big UP to Specsavers!
…. glad your European wandering can continue uninterrupted and you are able to return to the UK as planned in your own timescale 
..
