Mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70 being proposed by HMG. Good or bad?

[RogerL]

So you go to Specsavers; they certify that your eyesight is DVLA acceptable when corrected by glasses. They issue you with a prescription and then it is up to the individual to purchase the spectacles and wear them.
Hmmm. Anyone else think there may be a small problem here?
Mel

If a copy of that prescription is sent to DVLA, they can update the existing licence marker to show that spectacles MUST be worn when driving - the police already check for that when they stop a driver - contact lenses are an acceptable alternative and the driver can show they're wearing them.

 

[ProfJohnL]

So you go to Specsavers; they certify that your eyesight is DVLA acceptable when corrected by glasses. They issue you with a prescription and then it is up to the individual to purchase the spectacles and wear them.
Hmmm. Anyone else think there may be a small problem here?
Mel

I don't see a problem, The prescription is yours to use anywhere, not just at Specsavers.

 

[Buckman]

So you go to Specsavers; they certify that your eyesight is DVLA acceptable when corrected by glasses. They issue you with a prescription and then it is up to the individual to purchase the spectacles and wear them.
Hmmm. Anyone else think there may be a small problem here?
Mel

Who pays for the eye test? I think most people could not be bothered to shop around and will buy from Specsavers whose owner supports the government. I thought monopolies were frowned on?

How would the police know if you are wearing the correct contact lens or spectacles?

 

[Beachball]

I be making appointment at specsavers for my eye test because they have car parking and easier acess for my scooter . also i be 70 in a couple of months just waiting for the driving licence renewal form to arrive if not I go to the post office and pick one up .

 

[RogerL]

Who pays for the eye test? I think most people could not be bothered to shop around and will buy from Specsavers whose owner supports the government. I thought monopolies were frowned on?

How would the police know if you are wearing the correct contact lens or spectacles?

The driver will have to pay for the test if they're under 60 - drivers over 60 already get free tests.

When they stop you at a roadside check they can see if you're wearing spectacles, or you can show them contact lenses - if they have any suspicion that either are incorrect they can carry out a roadside numberplate reading test.

 

[Buckman]

The driver will have to pay for the test if they're under 60 - drivers over 60 already get free tests.

When they stop you at a roadside check they can see if you're wearing spectacles, or you can show them contact lenses - if they have any suspicion that either are incorrect they can carry out a roadside numberplate reading test.

If the person needs to pay for the test, then surely they should be able to choose any optician and not be confined to only using Specsavers? Our nearest Specsavers is in the centre of the town which is several or more miles away plus of course you need to park in the NCP car park. Our independent have their own parking and are easy to access.

Having never used contact lenses, would you need to remove them to show the officer?

 

[RogerL]

I be making appointment at specsavers for my eye test because they have car parking and easier acess for my scooter . also i be 70 in a couple of months just waiting for the driving licence renewal form to arrive if not I go to the post office and pick one up .

You can apply for your new licence up to 3 months before the old one expires - if you have a recent photo already in official systems you can apply online. Where a disability or health condition is declared, they'll probably send you a supplementary questionnaire in the post - this will delay the licence renewal but in most cases you can continue driving while they consider the issue.

Some people with a marginal sight prescription, eg after successful cataract operation, may use spectacles but still be able to meet the DVLA standard without them - discuss with the optician about testing, and certifying, without the spectacles otherwise you're committing an offence if you ever drive without spectacles (driving other than in accordance with a licence).

 

[RogerL]

If the person needs to pay for the test, then surely they should be able to choose any optician and not be confined to only using Specsavers? Our nearest Specsavers is in the centre of the town which is several or more miles away plus of course you need to park in the NCP car park. Our independent have their own parking and are easy to access.

Having never used contact lenses, would you need to remove them to show the officer?

The contract Specsavers have with DVLA is to test where drivers have specific sight conditions - hopefully the universal test required for drivers over 70 won't be as strict or have to be done at Specsavers - this should be highlighted during the upcoming consultation process.

 

[otherclive]

The contract Specsavers have with DVLA is to test where drivers have specific sight conditions - hopefully the universal test required for drivers over 70 won't be as strict or have to be done at Specsavers - this should be highlighted during the upcoming consultation process.

I would envisage that other opticians will be authorised to upload prescription and eye test details as there are plenty of examples where organisations or individuals can upload data. Eg: MOT, driving licence or passport photo, car service and caravan service, Government Portal etc. But Specsavers may still be retained as the DVLA advisor where queries occur prior to a decision being made to renew or not renew the licence.

Regarding the cost of an eye test as said earlier for 60+ this is free. But I always pay for the extra OCT scan as like Dusty said better to find out any issues earlier than later. Over the last 10 years retinal photography, followed latterly by OCT has found “ freckles “ on my retina, dilation of one optical nerve and early macular degeneration. Two of the findings saw me referred by the optician to the Bristol Eye Hospital for quick examinations. Fortunately nothing untoward was found as the “freckles” were benign, and the dilated optical nerve had returned back to normal when seen by the hospital. Well worth the extra cost.

 

[Mel]

I don't see a problem, The prescription is yours to use anywhere, not just at Specsavers.

What I was trying to say, was if Specsavers say to DVLA that you are OK to drive wearing glasses, it is still beholden on the person to actually purchase and wear said glasses. It is only if you are involved in an accident that the police ( and your insurance) will know that you are breaking the law. Bit late then. So some folks who already do not take care of their eyesight or think that the law does not apply to them may well just comply as far as getting an eye test is concerned but no further.
Mel

 

[Buckman]

What I was trying to say, was if Specsavers say to DVLA that you are OK to drive wearing glasses, it is still beholden on the person to actually purchase and wear said glasses. It is only if you are involved in an accident that the police ( and your insurance) will know that you are breaking the law. Bit late then. So some folks who already do not take care of their eyesight or think that the law does not apply to them may well just comply as far as getting an eye test is concerned but no further.
Mel

That is the issue. Although prescribed will the person wear the spectacles while driving? Although I agree with the law, how would the police enforce it as they cannot randomly stop a person driving.

 

[otherclive]

That is the issue. Although prescribed will the person wear the spectacles while driving? Although I agree with the law, how would the police enforce it as they cannot randomly stop a person driving.

But if there’s a RT offence or RTA the police could always check to DVLA if the persons licence disclosure says they require glasses or contacts for driving. Should they not be wearing them at the time an offence has occurred irrespective of anything else.

 

[RogerL]

What I was trying to say, was if Specsavers say to DVLA that you are OK to drive wearing glasses, it is still beholden on the person to actually purchase and wear said glasses. It is only if you are involved in an accident that the police ( and your insurance) will know that you are breaking the law. Bit late then. So some folks who already do not take care of their eyesight or think that the law does not apply to them may well just comply as far as getting an eye test is concerned but no further.
Mel

That is a general issue with motoring law - transgression isn't discovered until an accident occurs or the driver is stopped - just as drink-driving and drug-driving can only be detected after the event.

 

[RogerL]

That is the issue. Although prescribed will the person wear the spectacles while driving? Although I agree with the law, how would the police enforce it as they cannot randomly stop a person driving.

Random stops are permitted in the UK - according to gov.uk "The police can stop a vehicle for any reason. If they ask you to stop, you should always pull over when it’s safe to do so. You’re breaking the law if you do not stop"

Being stopped by the police while driving

What happens if you're stopped by the police while driving - breath tests, motoring offences, faults with your vehicle, seizing your vehicle

www.gov.uk

 

[Dustydog]

Good replies 👏👏

My own research from earlier posts indicates,

The DVLA pays for an eyesight test that it officially requires you to take with their contracted optician, Specsavers. You should not be charged for this test irrespective of your age!

Yes, if you need prescription lenses to meet the legal eyesight standards for driving in the UK, it is a condition of your motor insurance policy that you wear them while driving. Driving without them makes your insurance invalid, and any claim would likely be refused.


Last summer my Posterior vestibular detachment was scary in North Wales. The A&E at Porthmadog don’t do eyes . They sent me within the hour to the Specsavers Ophthalmologist in Porthmadog. He had all the kit and reassured me the issue was not serious and would heal,. However as we were on holiday he referred me to the Bangor Eye hospital for a double check two days later. Great service. And the Specsavers chap was mid 30 s and knew his eyeballs😉

 

[Gafferbill]

My driving license is endorsed with the code 01 which denotes a legal requirement to wear prescription glasses.
This effectively means I am not licensed to drive if I am not wearing them.

 

[Buckman]

But if there’s a RT offence or RTA the police could always check to DVLA if the persons licence disclosure says they require glasses or contacts for driving. Should they not be wearing them at the time an offence has occurred irrespective of anything else.

That is correct, but by that time it is too late as the accident has already occurred. Due to vanity issues some people refuse to wear spectacles in public.

Random stops are permitted in the UK - according to gov.uk "The police can stop a vehicle for any reason. If they ask you to stop, you should always pull over when it’s safe to do so. You’re breaking the law if you do not stop"

Being stopped by the police while driving

What happens if you're stopped by the police while driving - breath tests, motoring offences, faults with your vehicle, seizing your vehicle

www.gov.uk

My point exactly. They need a valid reason and cannot randomly stop a vehicle. Unfortunately if there is no valid reason, some people scream discrimination etc and try and sue the police. probably why we have so many idiots on the road.

 

[RogerL]

My point exactly. They need a valid reason and cannot randomly stop a vehicle. Unfortunately if there is no valid reason, some people scream discrimination etc and try and sue the police. probably why we have so many idiots on the road.

The reason doesn't need to be valid - they can stop you for ANY reason

 

[Buckman]

The reason doesn't need to be valid - they can stop you for ANY reason

At that point they are skating on thin ice and need to be careful, but Mr Plod can probably answer that question better than any of us as he has real life experience.

 

[otherclive]

Isn’t it defined in the Road Traffic Act. They do not need a reason to stop a vehicle, but should have a reason to search the occupants and/or vehicle. .

 

[RogerL]

At that point they are skating on thin ice and need to be careful, but Mr Plod can probably answer that question better than any of us as he has real life experience.

Most police officers are too busy following up suspicion of criminality to have time to stop drivers without suspicion.

 

[ProfJohnL]

If the person needs to pay for the test, then surely they should be able to choose any optician and not be confined to only using Specsavers? Our nearest Specsavers is in the centre of the town which is several or more miles away plus of course you need to park in the NCP car park. Our independent have their own parking and are easy to access.

Having never used contact lenses, would you need to remove them to show the officer?

There so many things in life where you may need to pay for a service or goods, yet there is only one supplier you can use, and they may not be the most convenient to access. That's real life.

 

[Buckman]

There so many things in life where you may need to pay for a service or goods, yet there is only one supplier you can use, and they may not be the most convenient to access. That's real life.

I do understand that as I am not that naive!

 

[RogerL]

There so many things in life where you may need to pay for a service or goods, yet there is only one supplier you can use, and they may not be the most convenient to access. That's real life.

Why is there only one Monopolies Commission ?

 

[otherclive]

Why is there only one Monopolies Commission ?

There isn’t a Monopolies Commission any longer, it morphed into the Competition and Markets Authority. A more prestigious and upmarket title. 😃