staystrong21 Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 Hello everyone - I'm hoping this forum still attracts some responses! The threads I can see are all a few years old. I'm desperately seeking help and hope. I had an ischaemic stroke in July 2021 leaving with me homonymous hemianopia on the right side (my only deficit). I recovered some sight in the lower section, so the remaining deficit is about 40% (based on results from a Specsavers Esterman test) - not good enough for the DVLA, and they revoked my licence. I'm aware of the exceptional case criteria and I'm DETERMINED to regain my independence. I'm not really sure what I need here, perhaps just some encouragement and a confidence boost - I'm vaguely aware of what I need to do, although in all honestly I don't really know where to start and am feeling overwhelmed. I'm also terrified, and holding back for fear of failure. I know I only get one shot at this, and I really can't fail - so much hangs on it, I'm not sure how I'd cope if I'm refused. Hope is all that keeps me going. I know that I have adapted fully to the deficit, but it's also been so long since I've been behind the wheel I'm scared. Does anyone have any words of wisdom to set me off on the right path? Thank you so much for any input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Hi Staystrong21 a very warm welcome to BTG. All i can say is never give up. Read all the posts from others here, they are very helpful. Good to read you are DETERMIND to get your independence back, that's a great place to start I had double vision and was lucky it did improve and i eventually got my Driving Licence back after 2 years. I had to keep chasing the DVLA and get letters from Specialists etc. I was very nervous about getting behind the wheel again after 2 years. My husband came with me, we found a quiet road and then one with a width restriction to go through. As soon as i started driving my fears went. I drove well and felt great. Went through the width restriction and impressed my husband Saying that, on my bad days i never drive. I just know when i wake up. We wish you well and please let us know how you get on. I do know from experience the DVLA take ages to reply and you do have to keep chasing them up. Good luck Tina P.S. please click on the links below, may be helpful. https://web.behindthegray.net/topic/6865-reapplying-for-license-with-exceptional-circumstances-uk-only/ https://web.behindthegray.net/topic/10610-help-needed-re-criteria-to-reinstate-driving-licence-under-exceptional-circumstances/ https://web.behindthegray.net/topic/9789-getting-so-stressed/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staystrong21 Posted May 27, 2023 Author Share Posted May 27, 2023 Thank you so much Tina, I really appreciate your response and support. I'm still hesitant about starting the whole process, but perhaps I'll try to contact the DVLA next week and put the wheels in motion, so to speak! I'll have a read through the threads too, I know there is so much useful info out there, but have read so much now that these specific signposts will help me gather my thoughts again and stay focused 🙏🏻 This forum is definitely the most helpful source of information I have found, outside of this space it's like driving after stroke (at least with any visual defect) is the world's biggest kept secret! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 So glad you have found this forum helpful Contact the DVLA and as you say, put the wheels in motion. We look forward to hearing how you get on. Good luck Take care Tina 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnie M Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 Welcome here Staystrong21. What a terrible time for you. Many of us here went through the same thing (although mine was quadrantanopia - lower right quarter of my field of vision - rather than homonymous hemianopia - which is over a quarter and less than a half). It really is a waiting game where DVLA are concerned but Tina's advice is good. Keep hoping and keep chasing. My understanding is that Hemianopia is a definitive withdrawal of your licence and it takes more to come back from than quadrantanopia, for the sole reason that you have lost more actual vision. I still think that you could convince the DVLA that you should be allowed to apply for your licence back using the 'special circumstances' criteria, which is very well documented in the various forum links Tina provided. Please feel free to ask questions as there is lots of help here. It took me 22 months to get my licence back but I happily achieved that and have been out on the road as often as possible ever since. Good luck! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imogen Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 Hello, I'm going through the same process as you right now and struggling with a lot of delays from my GP and neurosurgeon in gathering evidence. I have partial quadrantanopia in the upper left after a subarachnoid haemorrhage 15 years ago, since fully treated and stable. I failed the visual field test last month after passing it twice before. Best of luck to you and perservere! I wanted to ask Johnnie and Tina, as this is the most recently used thread, when you had your licence reinstated through exceptional circumstances, were you given a 10 year licence or a short term medical licence? I don't want to have to go through this whole process again in another 1-3 years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted July 6, 2023 Share Posted July 6, 2023 Hi Imogen A very warm welcome to BTG, It is very frustrating waiting for letters and evidence from GP and Specialists and then an even longer wait from the DVLA. Feel for you . Just keep chasing and dont give up. I politely chased every week. In my case i was given a 10 year licence. It took me 2 years. Good luck with everything and please keep us updated. Take care Tina xx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imogen Posted July 8, 2023 Share Posted July 8, 2023 Thank you Tina, great to hear you have a 10 year licence. It's a very frustrating wait- I'm not looking forward to the DVLA part! But reading all the promising stories on here does give me hope in waiting out for a normal licence rather than keep trying the visual field test for a medical licence. Imogen xx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnie M Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 Hi Imogen. I was given a 12 year licence to take me up to 70 years of age. My understanding is that if they approve you for driving then it doesn't come with limits. If you can drive you can drive. Your age may limit the length of licence given, as would be usual. My father in law was still driving at 89 but had to get a licence renewal every three years I think. JM 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imogen Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 Thank you Johnnie, that’s great to hear. I’ve had a medical 3 year licence up until now so it’ll be great to not have to go through this process every few years. I’m 24 so hopefully it’ll be a standard 10 year one. Hope you’ve had a great few years being back on the road! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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