DVLA C1 retention with medical condition(s)

Specsavers blew it for me, the fat geek misdiagnosed something that was happening in my eye then tried to cover up his mistake. I ended up in hospital three days later for an emergency operation with a detached retina.
 
Canalsman said:
I avoid driving at night for two reasons.

Firstly the ridiculously bright LED headlights.

Secondly, as you age your eyes take longer to adjust to changes in light levels. This problem is exacerbated by the above!
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The Government has launched research into the problem of headlight dazzle. The RAC has reported increasing numbers of drivers saying they are troubled by bright and dazzling lights at night and is calling for action. The first thing to be outlawed may be retro fitting led headlights which lack automatic washing and beam aim, it seems glare from dirty led headlights is a particular problem.
 
The headlights lights on my EV are brilliant, but I bet it’s not so good for other road users coming towards me.
 
Okta said:
The first thing to be outlawed may be retro fitting led headlights which lack automatic washing and beam aim, it seems glare from dirty led headlights is a particular problem.
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Retro fitting LED headlamps is already (or should be) an MOT fail

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Good news today from DVLA.

I have met the Group 1 requirements so I can retain my C1 entitlement.

I did not meet the Group 2 requirements so I have lost my D1 entitlement.

Evidently standards have been tightened over the last three years.
 
I was told I had to meet the Group 2 requirements to keep my C1, perhaps because I am over 70.
 
Okta said:
I was told I had to meet the Group 2 requirements to keep my C1, perhaps because I am over 70.
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That is apparently incorrect.

From the letter from DVLA:

You meet the eyesight standard for C1 as you only need to meet the Group 1 (car and motorcycle) eyesight standard to drive this category of vehicle.

I am over 70 too.
 
I'd be grateful for you to scan and post that letter (with personal info redacted) as Jan recently had her D4 medical and meets the eyesight requirement for Group 1 unaided but needs glasses to meet the requirement for Group 2. That way, I hope we can head off a "01" restriction on her C1 entitlement.
 
GeoffL said:
I'd be grateful for you to scan and post that letter (with personal info redacted) as Jan recently had her D4 medical and meets the eyesight requirement for Group 1 unaided but needs glasses to meet the requirement for Group 2. That way, I hope we can head off a "01" restriction on her C1 entitlement.
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No problem...

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Canalsman said:
No problem...
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Many thanks -- I now need to phone DVLA as I'm unsure whether Jan needs to send a new photo and pay the associated £17 fee also. I'll take the opportunity to mention your letter and check that she won't get the 'glasses' endorsement for C1.
izwozral said:
Strewth, I think I had better get my eyes checked again, all I can see is blur!
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You need to click on each of images and then click the (+) control to enlarge each image to 100%. Once you've done that, you shouldn't need 6/1 vision to read it!
 
I just did a bit more digging on the C1 need for Group 1 or Group 2 medical requirements. Bit of an odd situation it seems that Group 1 standards apply to Visual Acuity but Group 2 standards are required for Field of Vision, which makes C1 a hybrid of the two standards. The advice I was given that I needed to meet Group 2 standards for my C1 was in respect of heart problems, not sight, so it probably was accurate advice. How a Doctor is supposed to know which standard to apply to a particular condition must be a right minefield.
 
Okta said:
I just did a bit more digging on the C1 need for Group 1 or Group 2 medical requirements. Bit of an odd situation it seems that Group 1 standards apply to Visual Acuity but Group 2 standards are required for Field of Vision, which makes C1 a hybrid of the two standards. The advice I was given that I needed to meet Group 2 standards for my C1 was in respect of heart problems, not sight, so it probably was accurate advice. How a Doctor is supposed to know which standard to apply to a particular condition must be a right minefield.
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I don't think the doctor is expected to know which standard to apply since the D4 for asks for 'raw data' rather than opinion. It asks for the visual acuity uncorrected and, if that's not good enough for the Group 2 standard, whether glasses etc. are worn for driving and also the corrected acuity. It's then up to the DVLA to interpret that data AFAICT with respect to each of the categories you're seeking to renew... Relevant bit of the D4 below:

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My C1 was revoked last July for medical reasons. I have appealed with a consultant letter saying I am fit to drive - very long story short I have received a form to sign this week giving them permission to contact my doctor/ consultant. I am in Portugal and had to email form back, thanks to my neighbour for scanning it for me. It’s supposed to only take 10 working days to get an email response onto their system, it took October 1st to December 20th last year to inform me that my consultants letter sent as an email attachment couldn’t be read. Martin’s C1 expires in June, he will also need a medical ….
 
GeoffL said:
I don't think the doctor is expected to know which standard to apply since the D4 for asks for 'raw data' rather than opinion. It asks for the visual acuity uncorrected and, if that's not good enough for the Group 2 standard, whether glasses etc. are worn for driving and also the corrected acuity. It's then up to the DVLA to interpret that data AFAICT with respect to each of the categories you're seeking to renew... Relevant bit of the D4 below:

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It is not just the D4, there are a whole range of medical conditions that have to be notified to the DVLA between applications. This is a personal responsibility not your Doctors but they sometimes need your Doctor to certify that you are fit to drive before you resume using your licence. Which standard does the Doctor apply? My Doctor said I needed to comply with Group 2 requirements because Group 1 only applies to cars and motorcycles of less than 3500kg.
 
Okta said:
It is not just the D4, there are a whole range of medical conditions that have to be notified to the DVLA between applications. This is a personal responsibility not your Doctors but they sometimes need your Doctor to certify that you are fit to drive before you resume using your licence. Which standard does the Doctor apply? My Doctor said I needed to comply with Group 2 requirements because Group 1 only applies to cars and motorcycles of less than 3500kg.
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However for vision ability Group 1 applies for C1 retention as per the DVLA letter...
 
Okta said:
Only the visual acuity test is to Group 1 standard, the field of vision eye test is to Group 2.
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Canalsman said:
That is not what their letter says.
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AFAICT, you're both correct -- at least going by the guidance for D4 medicals (part cited below). You need to meet the higher field of vision requirement for C1 entitlement gained after a certain date, but those renewing Grandfather's rights need only meet the Group 1 requirement. Sorry, it's an image -- but see what you think:

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A word of advice on the visual field test.

The machine makes an audible beep when a light spot is illuminated. However it makes a beep occasionally when no light spot is illuminated.

I reached the end of the test and failed because I'd responded falsely on the beep on four occasions - a maximum of three false responses are allowed. Annoying since I'd scored 100% on the actual spot responses.

I was offered a second attempt with ear defenders and passed!
 
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