DVLA C1 retention with medical condition(s)

[colinm]

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!

Must depend on the machine, I do a vft every year, the only bleep comes when you press the button, if you are doing the test next to someone on another machine then you will hear their bleeps. Or am I just deaf?

 

[maingate]

Must depend on the machine, I do a vft every year, the only bleep comes when you press the button, if you are doing the test next to someone on another machine then you will hear their bleeps. Or am I just deaf?

I agree with you, I have had a lot of those tests over the years (for Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration reasons).

 

[Geek]

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.

When I renewed my C1 licence last time, DVLA returned the application asking for a new photo.

I sent it back with a photo and they send the new licence. No mention of any £17 fee.

 

[GeoffL]

When I renewed my C1 licence last time, DVLA returned the application asking for a new photo.

I sent it back with a photo and they send the new licence. No mention of any £17 fee.

Thanks. FWIW, the guidance that accompanies the D2 form says that a new photo is required if renewing your licence in the 56 day window prior to the old one expiring. It says no fee is payable if renewing your licence -- but there's an asterisk to indicate additional information, which points to a footnote that says a £17 fee is payable if you supply a new photo. Yet no new photo is required for those giving up C1/D1 and renewing online -- when a different fee is payable. The D2 guidance says that the fee will be returned if not required -- so Jan's going to attach the new photo as per the guidance and include a cheque for the £17 fee...

 

[Canalsman]

Thanks. FWIW, the guidance that accompanies the D2 form says that a new photo is required if renewing your licence in the 56 day window prior to the old one expiring. It says no fee is payable if renewing your licence -- but there's an asterisk to indicate additional information, which points to a footnote that says a £17 fee is payable if you supply a new photo. Yet no new photo is required for those giving up C1/D1 and renewing online -- when a different fee is payable. The D2 guidance says that the fee will be returned if not required -- so Jan's going to attach the new photo as per the guidance and include a cheque for the £17 fee...

I sent a £17 cheque last time and a new photo. The £17 was refunded.

 

[Okta]

If you renew in the 90 to 56 day window a new photo is not needed.

 

[jann]

I also sent a £17 cheque because it sounded as if I should.
They cashed the cheque and sent me a refund with another cheque!

 

[Canalsman]

I also sent a £17 cheque because it sounded as if I should.
They cashed the cheque and sent me a refund with another cheque!

Me too!

 

[Cath D-W]

In 2022 my husband applied to retain the C1 on his license, what a saga! The form went with all parts completed to DVLA, it was returned a few weeks later with an error which was corrected and returned, the same happened again, it took 3 times to sort. We came to the conclusion that what happened each time was that the checker found one error and returned it, lesson learned to double and triple check the eye test and medical details as well as your own part. Each time it was a pretty minor problem, such as a box not ticked, one was an error by Specsavers! The following year it was my turn, even that had one return which was Specsavers again!! We start again this year, fingers crossed for a more simple experience!

 

[Canalsman]

In 2022 my husband applied to retain the C1 on his license, what a saga! The form went with all parts completed to DVLA, it was returned a few weeks later with an error which was corrected and returned, the same happened again, it took 3 times to sort. We came to the conclusion that what happened each time was that the checker found one error and returned it, lesson learned to double and triple check the eye test and medical details as well as your own part. Each time it was a pretty minor problem, such as a box not ticked, one was an error by Specsavers! The following year it was my turn, even that had one return which was Specsavers again!! We start again this year, fingers crossed for a more simple experience!

This is probably a little too late, but may help others...

I took photos with my phone of all the forms the first time I submitted them. Thankfully they were not returned. I used the photos the second time to ensure that I completed the forms in the same way, and that the D4 forms were also consistent with the first application.

I didn't want any inconsistency to slow down the process.

 

[Canalsman]

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.

Just to muddy the waters further my renewed licence arrived, finally, this week.

Guess what?

I have both C1 AND D1 on the new licence!

 

[maingate]

I can muddy the waters even more.

Two years ago I gave up the C1 (or so I thought) because I had two Cataracts and I decided to sell the 4.5 ton motorhome we had. So I just renewed the over 70 three yearly driving licence in the normal manner. When I received my new licence, I still had the C1 on my new licence.

 

[Rod]

Just to muddy the waters further my renewed licence arrived, finally, this week.

Guess what?

I have both C1 AND D1 on the new licence!

 

[trevskoda]

I now have a cataract starting in my right eye, got new glasses which are as usefull as a fart in a sand storm, close vission on right eye now mid distance vission and i cannot read the speedo or GPS in the van, long distance also out of focus, left eye fantastic, been back 5 times to specksavers, waste of time.
Up to 5 years nhs w list or £2000 private, not sure what to do incase they fook the eye up, not a easy fix either.

 

[guerdeval]

Not sure if you can choose where in the UK to go for cataract surgery but here in Worcester there are now 3 private clinics plus the hospital doing NHS work, the wait for me was 3 weeks at the clinic.

 

[SimonM]

I now have a cataract starting in my right eye, got new glasses which are as usefull as a fart in a sand storm, close vission on right eye now mid distance vission and i cannot read the speedo or GPS in the van, long distance also out of focus, left eye fantastic, been back 5 times to specksavers, waste of time.
Up to 5 years nhs w list or £2000 private, not sure what to do incase they fook the eye up, not an easy fix either.

Trev, I’ve spoken to many people who have had the same concerns about cataract surgery - and EVERY ONE OF THEM said how easy (and quick) the whole operation was. That included my bruv-in-law who is terrified of even just going to the dentist. Then how almost instantly everything became crystal clear once more.

 

[colinm]

Not sure if you can choose where in the UK to go for cataract surgery but here in Worcester there are now 3 private clinics plus the hospital doing NHS work, the wait for me was 3 weeks at the clinic.

I think Trev meant to say 5 months.

 

[GeoffL]

When I had my diagnosis over three years ago, I was initially put on the queue for the local NHS Trust main hospital where the waiting list was over six months. A few questions and a phone call to a private clinic doing NHS work got me transferred to the clinic and a wait of about two months.

Trev, I’ve spoken to many people who have had the same concerns about cataract surgery - and EVERY ONE OF THEM said how easy (and quick) the whole operation was. That included my bruv-in-law who is terrified of even just going to the dentist. Then how almost instantly everything became crystal clear once more.

For me, the experience was quick but terrifying! Probably just me, but I didn't relish people poking about with my eye! The crazy thing was that, even with a shield in place, the vividness of the colours was amazing. The fields were so GREEN and the sky so BLUE! A grey veil had been lifted...

 

[trevskoda]

I think Trev meant to say 5 months.

No 3 to 5 years here, well so the staff in specsavers tell me, and they want to book you in private with cathedral eye clinic, maybe a backhander is the order of the day.

 

[mistericeman]

I now have a cataract starting in my right eye, got new glasses which are as usefull as a fart in a sand storm, close vission on right eye now mid distance vission and i cannot read the speedo or GPS in the van, long distance also out of focus, left eye fantastic, been back 5 times to specksavers, waste of time.
Up to 5 years nhs w list or £2000 private, not sure what to do incase they fook the eye up, not a easy fix either.

My other half developed cataracts 3 years back ...one very bad ....the other following on a pace .

She was terrified of the procedure ....and even took the option of mild sedation (almost unknown for her to take an aspirin)

Our NHS farm out eye work to a firm called Spa medica ....

From her being referred by her optician ....to first procedure was less than 3 months ....

Spa Medica were unbelievably professional and great care wise and communication .

She was in for less than 4 hours of which only about 15 to 30 minutes was actual surgery .
And was amazed driving away that she had vision back again ....

Shortly followed by the other eye ....

No pain ....worst was a mild discomfort ..

And now is getting back to functioning again after losing her job (and a whole lot more) due to being unable to drive ...

She says she will regret not getting it sorted for the rest of her days .