Dvla - what happens next

Hello all, just looking for any shared experiences so that I know what to expect next.

Following a stoke in Feb 2022, I was advised that my upper quadrant vision has been effected and the Dr (optometry) advised that I needed to notify the dvla. I am having a Specsavers field vision test tomorrow but have attended hospital today for a check up on vision and unfortunately my vision hasn’t improved. The Dr says that unfortunately it would be a fail on the driving test.
So, I’m just wondering if anyone can advise what happens next. I’m going along to Specsavers tomorrow and assuming I fail the test :blush: I assume they notify dvla. Do they then write to me and request that I surrender my license or do they request that I don’t drive for a given period?
My Dr says that she believes that I can make a submission for special consideration a year after my stroke when I can ask to be assessed on the road. Is there anything that anyone recommends in the meantime (any access to special instructors) as by this point I’ll not have driven for quite some time.
Thanks in advance for any insight x

Hi Applewhite-- Unfortunately, I can’t offer any information regarding your vision problems and driving. But, I did want to say that you are very early in stroke recovery. There will likely be many changes taking place during the next months-- and years. Your vision may really improve as the brain rewires and heals. I had a leg brace for several weeks after my stroke, but now I walk a mile a day without a brace. So, what you are experiencing now can change over time. So, don’t be too discouraged. We all just keep on keepin’ on --practice our exercises, etc. My best to you. :slightly_smiling_face: :heart:Jeanne

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Thank you Leanne for you kind words and so pleased to hear that things have improved for you. I’m ever hopeful! :two_hearts:

When you inform the DVLA they will send you all the relevant information on what happens next. Basically you need to wait a year to prove your condition is not degenerative and then you can apply for an exceptional drivers license. I am not far enough along the process yet to tell you what that is going to be like but I understand we will need a GP’s note confirming they are happy and then an assessment by the DVLA.

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Hi very interested to hear how you got on at specsavers i have similar problems with my eyes had hospital last week slightly worse than the last time lovely lady gave me the form and filled it out for me i look at it (no pun intended ) moving on to the next chapter in my life and dont let the B*****d grind you down all the best mike

Hi Mike, so I had the Specsavers test and the optician there just said that they would pass the results to the DVLA and that he couldn’t comment on any decisions that they may make. I did ask to see the test and it was the same as the hospital one the day before so from this I’m drawing my own conclusions.
So waiting now to here the outcome from the DVLA and getting my head around the bus timetable! :wink: x

Ah the bus timetables thats a thing to get your head around lol bit like having a stroke what used to take half an hour takes 3 haha :rofl:

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You can apply to the DVLA to continue driving even though you have a defect and will be given a temporary licence to take an assessment at a disabled driving centre.
To get this I had to submit a dossier of evidence to support that I was adapted to any defect.( mine was left field peripheral ,mainly upper quadrant ,affecting both eyes)
I submitted a letter from my doctor and a letter from a consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital ,both confirming that I was fully adapted.
With my temporary licence I was able to have some practice lessons with a specialist disabled driving instructor in the months leading up to my assessment.
At the assessment I was first checked by the examiner and a nurse as to my field of vision,coordination etc before being allowed to drive them round an off-road circuit.
Prior to this I had a test to check that I could read a number plate at the required distance ( I could )
After 15 mins on the circuit I had satisfied the examiner that I was safe to take out on the road.
I drove around for 35 mins on a mixture of roads ( urban,country mixture of 30,40, 60 70 mph limits)
Their report is sent to the DVLA medical Group who make the final decision.

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Similar to tony, but I had my stroke in 2007. After 3 months in hospital, when I came out I looked at the DVLA website, and while they said I must report the stroke, I couldn’t find any guidance on when to report. So, not wanting to be a menace to others on the road, I decided that I would need an assessment of my driving ability when I felt confident. I went for an assessment some 6 months later, when I felt able to drive, and had the examiner say that i should treat driving as physiotherapy and there was no reason for me not to drive.
At this point, I rang DVLA to inform them that I had had a stroke, but had been passed fit to drive, and I asked how long it would take them to process the paperwork, so that I could start driving. The response, ‘Have you still got your driving license?’ Yes. ‘In that case there is no reason for you not to drive.’
Their reasoning appears to be that you will drive if you’ve still got your license. If you have no intention of driving until you are passed as fit to drive, why complicate matters by telling the DVLA.
If they will be informed by another agency, then you will have to live with their ruling.