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Vincent

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About Vincent

  • Birthday October 5

Profile Information

  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Devon
  • Interests
    Reading , Long country walks, history, cricket, table tennis.

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  1. Hello to all, so sorry that I have not been in contact for so long. On October 27 th 2020 I finally took my DVLA arranged Driving Assessment in Exeter. I thought that I wouldn't need any tuition even though I hadn't driven for 22 months. I was so happy to be given a date for the assessment that I didn't read the letter fully and the fact that I could have had tuition. I thought that I drove well for the assessment I all Road conditions. The Assessor informed me that I would be fine but that I needed four hours tuition to practise my reversing. He said that he would advise the DVLA of this. I knew that I had struggled with the different gear box configuration, and the fact that there was no handbrake was disconcerting. After SEVEN weeks I had heard nothing from the DVLA, so I rang my Assessor ; imagine my disappointment when he said that the DVLA were not returning my license because I had a minor (their word) touch of a kerb and because I was driving too near the kerb, they didn't mention my reversing and the Assessor's recommendation to sit another assessment after practising reversing. My Assessor stated on the phone to me that he didn't think the DVLA had read the whole Assessment with his recommendation at the end! It is IMPOSSIBLE to get through to the DVLA on the phone and they don't acknowledge letters. They have gradually broken me. I have written to them pointing out so many mitigating factors, but they have seized upon what they take to be a visual field weakness. It seems arbitrary and unfair. Johnnie M, I feel that I have let everybody down, and I am very sorry that I haven't been in touch for so long. Wishing everybody on the list all the best. Vincent.
  2. Tania, if I can add to Johnnie's comprehensive reply; I also was left with a quadratananopia but I now shop, walk in the countryside and play sport without problems. Since my stroke I have met two acquaintances locally who unknown to me both had sight in only one eye.Both drive without problems. When I produced my 'Exceptional Case' letter to the Head Orthoptist at the local hospital I think it came as a surprise to her; I think most professionals think that a failure in the FoV test precludes driving. I was advised to exercise my eyes in every way possible, so I presume the same applies to your partner. Good Luck, Vincent.
  3. Hi Tania, firstly, sorry to hear of your husband's stroke. I didn't reply initially as I knew that the excellent Johnnie would reply more comprehensively than I ever could. My eyesight slowly improved over the first couple of weeks following my stroke, but I am left with a deficit in peripheral vision. Like Johnnie I applied for exceptional case status, but it was a statutory requirement to wait a year since my stroke. Because of Covid19, everything seems to have come to a standstill at the DVLA, but I have been told verbally by the DVLA that I will be sent for a driving assessment. Please keep your husband's spirits up as a failure in the Esterman test is not necessarily the end of driving. Vincent
  4. Johnnie, once again many thanks. It can be Kafkaesque ,however,dealing with the DVLA. When I rang on Monday the eigth, the person professed no knowledge of my good news from the week before and said the medical team hadn't even looked at my case. I was speechless! When I gathered my thoughts and cooled down I rang again in the afternoon and spoke to someone else who , after putting me on hold to investigate, stated that I have been recommended for assessment, but that the assessments have grinded to a halt because of Corvid 19. I still do not have my assessment news in writing, but I assume a backlog for the same reason. I'll certainty take your advice 're.cancellations. Many thanks. Vincent.
  5. Johnnie, you're a star! Some good news. Before I received your comprehensive email yesterday, I gave the DVLA a ring yesterday. The initial DVLA recorded message stated that no calls were being accepted. I persevered and spoke to a member of staff who stated that I will have to sit a driving assessment, and i will receive a letter to this effect in due course, which is all I ever wanted. I'm very happy but I realise that with the corvid 19 lockdown it could be a long wait. At least I know that things are moving. Many,many thanks for all the time and care that you've taken in helping me and others. Vincent.
  6. Many, many thanks, Johnnie. To cut to the chase, my license was revoked following a DVLA-arranged and paid for Field of Vision test at Specsavers. I failed this test which is when I received the DVLA letter listing seven criteria to apply for exceptional case status. I waited for a year to elapse since my SAH and had an appointment with Head Orthoptician at my local hospital. She kindly wrote to the DVLA to support my claim. After MANY weeks the DVLA asked me to request her support to confirm that I had adapted efficiently to my loss of peripheral vision. The thing is, neither she nor my GP really know me from Adam, but she did say that I play League standard table-tennis, walk on obscur public footpaths in the countryside, and shop and cook as before. The Occupational Health team checked my everyday skills for a couple of weeks immediately following the SAH. I have advised the DVLA of the foregoing, and I would be prepared for any test or assessment of my driving. When I refer to the field of Vision test, I am presuming that it is the same thing as the Easterman test. I hope this clarifies my situation. Once again, I cannot thank you enough for your knowledge and help; also this wonderful website. I shall take your sage advice also to search quadrantanopia on this site. Vincent.
  7. All the above posts and replies are really helpful. I had an SAH IN DEC2018 so I had to wait a year to take the Field of Vision test and apply for Exceptional Case status. Failed Field of Vision test at hospital in Jan 2020. However, I had the seven conditions to apply to be achieve Exceptional Case status. I have lost some peripheral vision in both eyes, but I have been playing top standard table-tennis twice a week since two weeks after my SAH. Still waiting to hear from DVLA: how can I prove to them that I do everything as pre-stroke except drive? Any help or advice gratefully received.
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