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DVLA field test

T

the_anticarb

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Well I have my DVLA field test next week, and frankly I'm scared. I've had a lot of laser, but had my fields tested at the hospital and I have a normal binocular field.
What I want to know is, is the test accurate and reliable? Is there any way I could fail it despite the hospital telling me my field is normal? And any tips or hints for the test itself?
Its scary to think that the future of my license depends on me having my head inside a flashing box for five minutes clicking on a button, but I am hopeful that there is no way I can fail the test if my field is normal. Is that a fair thing for me to say?
Also, if someone did fail the test for some reason, are they allowed another go before losing their license? That would seem fair, but I know that the DVLA have often been accused of being less than fair with people in this situation.
 
Hi AC

I have had many of these and they are pretty consistent. Just remember to keep your eyes focused on the red spot and don't get put off if there are a load of beeps without a light, as there is a limit to how many false positives you make.

Hope all goes well for you. :thumbup:
 
I had a dvla fields test last December. I`ve had both eyes lasered and have been T1for around 32 yrs
The hospital fields tests are concerned with your central vision. The dvla test is supposedly more about testing your peripheral vision which can be affected if you've had PRP treatment.
The good thing is the DVLA is done by a certified optician and you do the test with both eyes open I passed the first run ok but the optician made me redo it as I had clicked the button too many times. The second run through he was happy with and told me there were no problems with my eyes in regards to driving and said the DVLA would be in touch .. I received a letter confirming I was ok to continue driving and my eyes would be reviewed regularly.. ie before they renew my licence which is 3 yearly at present
However I would think if you do fail then you loose your licence as you`re not fit to drive :cry:
 
Thank you - I did the actual test the DVLA use at a private eye hospital as I wanted to see if the laser had affected any of my vision. It had in the left eye alone, but luckily we use both eyes to drive and with both eyes open it was not a problem I got 99% just missed one little dot in the periphery which was probably just not pressing the button fast enough, I don't think I actually have a field defect.

I have heard some horror stories about the DVLA snatching licenses off people with no appeals process which made me a bit twitchy.

So can I be fairly confident that if I mess the test up the optician will give me a second chance? And does the optician say on the day if they think you have passed (I know final decision rests with dvla)

I think I am more scared of this test than my original driving test - at least then you could just rebook and do it again if you fail!
 
The optician I was told to use by the DVLA gave me second chance straight after the first test ie I didnt leave the test machines seat! so I`d guess it will be the same for you too if you need it. As I mentioned above he did verbally say all was ok and not to worry about driving. The DVLA posted a letter through about 6 weeks later to repeat this.
I was also very tense at the test
 
Thanks. I keep telling myself that going through the trauma of this test for the DVLA is the price I have to pay for having sight-saving laser, as without the laser I'd surely be blind in at least one eye now, but I'm still not looking forward to it. The opticians the DVLA selected didn't have any availablity for two weeks and I just want to get it over and done with now. I did ask them if I could have a practice run first, but they said no I just have to go in and do it.

Ah well I am fairly sure I will pass, it's a shame they can't just make a decision based on our retinal photographs or something, but its only 5 mins of my life and then hopefully it will be over for another 3 years.

Do you know if I will get a 3 year license, i last had laser in October so wasn't sure if they would give me the three year one as i had to put that on the form. My consultant looked at my eyes last week and said they're stable, but I'm not taking that for granted as I know things can quickly change.
 
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