DVLA Over 70 Eye Tests

[Terry]

I was sat about 2 meters from a wall on which there were some letters about 5 cm high. 

"Can you read those letters"

That reminds me of a cartoon, way back in the days when the chart was a printed sheet hung on the wall.

"Can you read the last line on the chart?

"Yes: P-R-I-N-T-E-D-I-N-E-N-G-L-A-N-D ..."

[pwdrive]

Here's the classic eyesight sketch:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9vtk4_...sketch_fun

Lawrence.

[Sparks]

I did the DVLA eye test today, the whole journey from leaving the front door to getting back again was exactly 4 hours. Two hours on the buses, one hour 20 minutes walking, and 40 minutes for the test iteself. I missed two dots out of a total of 112, but the DVLA now has to decide if I have passed. I may well have missed two dots simply by blinking at the wrong time! All very inconvenient, and I dare say a lot of folk my age would have found it too much for them (the busses and walking etc).
Bob

[Refugee]

I would have never done all that.
By car to a bus route that passes the eye test place just far enough out of town that the parking is free and then take one bus for a shore distance and let those traffic wardens get nothing..

[Sparks]

No idea where I would find free parking in a strange town. Also, the Specsavers was in a pedestrian zone, but not all that much of a walk from the bus station and in a straight line. I didn't really mind the two one hour bus journeys because I could relax and think about things without any parking worries. I just think that as Specsavers have the DVLA contract, ALL their shops should have suitable testing equipment. A lot of the walking was unnecessary, because I did go around the car boot sale in Preston between buses, but I am aware that some over 70s would find it too much.
Bob

[Refugee]

I use street-view to read the parking regulation signs before I set out to strange towns.

[Sparks]

I don't even set out to strange towns in the car, as I don't particularly enjoy driving. Only use the car for going into town for local shopping and to the supermarket. Anywhere further away, it is the bus or the train. My problem with driving is simply that I get lost easily, and parking is always a problem in strange places. Satellite navigation does not help because it seems obsessed with getting you on the motorway, and I have not driven on a motorway for over 30 years!
Generally, you could say that I have no desire to travel anywhere these days after having seen the whole world during many years at sea.
Bob

[Murphyv310]

Walking is one of the best things that you can do. Even though I have a bad knee I still take on board what I was told after my CABG and aim to walk at least four days a week two miles.

[Refugee]

You want to see the traffic in Worksop.
I could walk faster than the traffic even with a medical condition that for a time took away quite a bit of my motivation. Now that that is fixed no car can beat me into town if I leg it.

[Sparks]

I don't have any problem walking. The only thing I need the car for is when heavy items have to be carried such as shopping, things I might purchase on a car boot sale, or taking things to the tip! The ridiculous thing about the DVLA eye test is that it seems to be rather haphazard. On being told that I had missed two dots, I was told that I could try again. I asked what would happen if I missed four dots, or more, and was told that would be sent to the DVLA as well as the first one, and may count against me, so I just left things as they are and hope I get my licence renewed. Another ridiculous thing is, that if I have failed, they haven't told me, and I can legally drive until such time as the DVLA condescend to tell me if I have failed! Missing a couple of small dots of light means absolutely nothing when driving as one does not drive as with head clamped in a vice staring straight ahead, the eyes and head must move somewhat to keep a good watch on things. Apart from anything else, as the eye department at the hospital told me my field of vision was excellent, only one week ago, I have greater faith in their machine that one in Specsavers.
Bob