A woman was stopped by Police in Suffolk because of her erratic driving. She had apparently driven down from Manchester, some 200 miles.

Asked to get out and read a number plate from 20 metres she failed. The Police moved her forward until she could read the number plate and it wasn't until she was 3 metres away (10 feet) that she read it correctly.

Her licence was immediately revoked!

How's your eye sight?

Funny that, went for my eye test in May and in one test I had a list of several size letters and got all right apart from the bottom line but the optician said if I couldn’t read any below the third down I should not be driving.
Should they be obliged to notify the DVLA…..?

At Specsavers you complete a questionnaire asking if you drive prior to the eye test, I think most opticians do, obviously if anyone is aware there eyesight isnt good enough to drive they will say no.
I have poor eyesight which was always borderline but good enough for driving, it has now deteriorated so I no longer drive. The optician could inform your GP if you said yes and failed the test who could inform the DVLA ?
You can pass your test at an early age drive all your life and never have another eye test, I am sure there will be quite a few drivers who drive as they need their car to commute and their eyesight wouldn’t pass eyesight test and possibly unaware it isn’t.
There was talk of people over 70 to have mandatory eye tests but it never materialised although you do complete a questionnaire to say you are fit to drive when renewing your licence.

if you drive buses or wagons you have to pass a medical every few years. once you reach a certain age these are done yearly. if you want to keep your licence you have no option but to attend them. for me if you want to keep your ordinary licence you should have a similar one at your own expense. driving is a privelege and not a right. you would not need a specialist doctor to do these tests as people could be trained to do eye tests and blood pressures. as for my eyesight its ok. need specs for close work but not for distance and have 6 monthly tests as i have glaucoma, but fortunetly the medication i,m on seems to be keeping it under control.

Isn't the eyesight test supposed to highlight faults in your eyesight, therefore allowing the optician to correct the deficiency through specs, which is why we all respond to regular checks, or at least we should respond????

Unfortunately my poor eyesight can’t be corrected by specs or laser treatment, I have astigmatism and now glaucoma. I also have cataracts but the consultant said having laser treatment wouldn’t improve my eyesight only make objects clearer.

you are correct in the information i know. Cataract removal has a good chance of improving your eyes though although it did not work for my ma.

You need to drive to Barnard Castle to rest you eyes properly.

Eye tests often highlight blood pressure and diabetic issues which was identified in a few of my friends.The conditions were quite serious.
Eye tests are important.

Improved eyesight but raised blood pressure whilst driving.All the symptoms of it being skimpy top season my doc said.

far more important than dental checks. some go every 6 months for these but only go for eye tests if they find the small print difficult to read if the light is not perfect. i,m not overly fussed if the rest of my teeth drop out but i am not keen on failing eyesight and eventually blindness.