I have finally received a letter from the DVLA about my driving licence renewal. After four months, they have come to a decision.
After contacting the hospital they are still insisting on sending me to ‘Specsavers’, a High Street optician shop, for a ‘definitive test’. Not only that, but my local branch of that shop just three miles south of here does not have the suitable equipment, so I have to go to Fakenham which is eleven miles away, or Norwich, which is almost twenty miles away.
As far as the DVLA is concerned, the state of the art testing equipment in Norwich Hospital Eye Clinic is not good enough for their purposes. Instead they believe that a small High Street shop has better equipment for their purposes.
If I fail this one-off test for any reason, my driving licence will be permanently revoked, with no appeal.
Is it any wonder I am so fed up?
OMG!
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I seem to have walked into a brick wall. Jennie. Now it is ‘pass or fail’, once I can get an apointment. No appeal.
Best wishes, Pete.
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When do you go for the eye test? You WILL pass! Yesterday I got the last of my vital records from the courthouse, which I will need to prove I am actually me, and get my driver’s license renewed. They even require utility bills that give my name (not hubby’s) and street address. I feel like a criminal who has to prove my innocence. Terrible.
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I have to telephone for an appointment tomorrow. Everything has been shut down here since Wednesday, because of all the Jubilee hoo-hah.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh, of course. Best to you, Pete.
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I wonder if Specsavers are paying commissions for referrals, it would explain why the Police always wear Police 🙂
Such a pain though, and totally ridiculous.
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Specsavers has a lucrative contract with the DVLA, Eddy. I have no doubt that backhanders of wads of cash were involved.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This is absolutely ridiculous Pete I am so sad to hear this I can understand your state of mind right now and just hope that things come out right for you in the end xx
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Thanks very much, Lorraine.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Stay positive Pete, you got this! March in there and get it done! I’m cheering for you, hugs, C
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Thanks for your positivity, dear Cheryl.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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I guess they mean that test where you have to spot lights that flick on and off all over the screen and press a button to indicate how many. It isn’t really an eye test, more a reaction test. Good Luck.
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That’s the one, Julie. A Visual Fields Test. I passed it at the hospital in March, but the DVLA will not accept their findings.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Goodness-what a tangle! Nothing like that here, as of yet. I sure hope all goes well.. Is there any system left, that is sensible? . . .anywhere? Michele
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People are losing holidays because of passport delays too, Michele. The country is falling apart, and all we are getting is ‘Platinum Jubilee’ rubbish forced down our throats.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Sorry to read this Pete. I received a message yesterday to say that after 3 and a half months my passport has now been approved but has to be printed. Hey ho, another 3 months perhaps!
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I saw online that you can ‘Get your passport in 10 weeks’. That seems like a lie too. One of our friends lost her holiday because of the delays, and they won’t pay her compensation because it is not the fault of the company that her passport didn’t arrive.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sounds like corruption to me. Warmest regards, Theo
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That Optician company has a nationwide contract, Theo. I am sure it is a lucrative source of income for them.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Bizarro! After all the headaches, I hope it all works out in the end!
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Me too. Thanks, Susanne.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I just hope — after all this — you finally get your damned license!
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This process has worn me down, Mona. I have been so angry for months, I feel exhausted by it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s all these petty annoyances that add up to drive people mad. If only one could protest by withholding tax payments but “they” seem to hold all the cards. I hope it blows up in their face.
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I used to be quite a bright and cheery person after I retired, (except for complaining about too much rain of course) but these last few months have darkened my mood, Carolyn.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s not surprising. Life is full of difficulties and one can adapt but not when those things are unnecessary and petty. I hope things brighten soon.
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Ridiculous. This showcases the absolute worst of the bureaucratic system. You are living a real-life “Brazil” Pete!
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Yes, it feels like a combination of ‘Brazil’, and Kafka’s ‘The Trial’, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Two characters no one EVER wants to portray! Hang in there, and hope the test goes well – as it should – and you can move on, literally!
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It’s obvious that you and the DVLA do not see eye to eye on testing equipment. But, anyway, it looks like you’ll have to make a little trip to either Fakenham or Norwich. Best regards, David.
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Nicely punned, David. I wish I could smile about it. 😦
Best wishes, Pete.
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I hear Barnard Castle is the place to drive to for testing your eyesight…
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I need to check with Cummings about that!
Best wishes, Pete. x
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😂
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You don’t need the hassle, but somebody should start one of these petitions to force them to explain their policies and see how they like the attention. Have you spoken to your MP? I always noticed that formal complaints seem to be the expected way to go, rather than reasoning. I will save you the details of trying to use my previous account with the UK gov. I understand my problems, though, but yours? I hope things get sorted, Pete, but I hope they end up experiencing a Brazil-like situation themselves. It’s the least they deserve.
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I did go through my MP, Olga. He lodged an official complaint about the DVLA delay in progressing my renewal. I am beginning to wonder if they are punishing me for doing that.
Best wishes, Pete.
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What in the world are they testing you for, Pete? Cataracts, glaucoma, depth perception? It cannot just be straight vision for half the world requires corrective lenses and they all drive. It is mind boggling. I hope you get the tests and pass with flying colors! It certainly is stress inducing.
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They say it is ‘Visual Field Capacity’, Maggie. One of the same four tests I passed in March, at the hospital Eye Clinic. Just time-wasting and obstructive nonsense that makes me livid. I get the feeling they want to deliberately fail me because I made a fuss about the delays, and involved my member of parliament in an official complaint.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I hope that is not the case, Pete.
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DVLA is beyond a joke and not fit for purpose. I’m jumping through hoops with them too, and hitting my head on a wall pretty much. It’s the same with all government departments – hoop after hoop to get back to where it started.
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Sorry to hear you are in a similar situation. The lack of accountability at the DVLA is a national scandal.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete
I think the same can be said for a few other government departments too
Stay strong mate
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I’m so sorry to hear you’re still trapped in the bureaucratic maze of absudity.
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That’s just how it feels, Liz.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ugh. I hope everything works out for you.
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Thank you, Jeanne. I need to end the stress one way or another.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh Pete sorry this was not the news you were hoping for. I’m going to still be here rooting for it to go in your favor. Sorry this is taking such an emotional toll on you.
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Thanks, Christina. It came out of the blue, and has really shaken my confidence in the future.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It makes me sad to hear that from you Pete. Did you get the email I sent a couple weeks ago?
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The one on the 12th of May? I did, thank you. I replied on the same day. x
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Yes, but then I sent another.😁 Maybe you did read both. Hope your days get better soon Pete.
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I don’t think I had another one after that, Christina.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wow, you keep going in circles, don’t you?!!
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If I had a weaker personality, GP, I think I would be on Prozac by now.
Best wishes, Pete.
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At least you’ve had a little bit of progress.
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If I pass the test, then of course I will be relieved, Peggy. But it should never have come to this.
Best wishes, Pete.
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What a ridiculous situation, Pete: it’s just ‘jobsworth’ bureaucracy rampant! I was hoping to renew my licence [due next month] online this week [they promise “normally around a week” to renew online , and cheaper than the paper process with all the delays] but because my licence shows Jon, and my passport [which they could use the photo from for the licence] shows Jonathan [my full, legal, name] they wouldn’t renew the licence because they couldn’t confirm my identity! You’d think whoever wrote the software would allow for this sort of thing, wouldn’t you? My next best option is to take the application to the main post office in town where they will take my photo and charge me £4.50 for the privilege, and then submit the application electronically, so hopefully still fairly quick. What a palaver! Cheers, Jon.
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It is just that kind of nit-picking nonsense that drives me crazy, Jon. They won’t take the word of a Hospital Consultant that I am fit to drive, but will take the word of a technician in a High Street shop. My fate is in the hands of someone who is not professionally qualified. It is just insane.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Dang it! This is not good news. I have two friends – both 91 – who are driving here and had no issues with getting a license. The UK is stupid to make you run through hoops. Ridiculous! So sorry!
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Thanks, Lara. I have much older neighbours who can hardly walk, but are still driving every day. I do feel ‘singled out’, for some reason.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Correct me if I’m wrong Pete, but this isn’t the same Britain that colonized the world, is it?
Where did that one go? I’d move there.
Apparently, based on your situation this one couldn’t find it’s way from Dover to Calis and return home with a nice brie.
Sincerely, I feel for you brother.
CT
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It IS the same Britain that colonized the world. That is true. But it is also the same Britain that lost the American Colonies. Given their policies back then and given the fact that Britain is always favourable to tradition and pomp and ceremony, it is understandable how some of the policies affecting their citizens would be somewhat unfair. I am so sorry to hear that Pete has to endure this kind of torture from his governmental agencies. I hope this turns out well for him.
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Thanks very much, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Chris. The bureaucracy in this country is run by a bunch of jobsworths.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Just don’t get this Pete, unbelivable. Send a copy to your specialist I’m sure they would back your corner. By the way Gavin got in touch
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According to the DVLA, my hospital eye consultant does not ‘test for the same parameters’ as Specsavers. Complete bollocks of course.
Cheers mate, Pete.
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Unbelievable.
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I feel trapped in a crazy ‘system’, Lucinda.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Boris is blinder than you Pete, but we’ll keep an eye on your exam results.
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Thanks, Gavin. This DVLA stuff is really getting me down.
Cheers, Pete.
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Jeez I’d like to know who makes these rules up … Fingers crossed you’ll sail through I think the no right appeal is a bit tough though x
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The only appeal option is to get a letter from my Hospital Consultant and try litigation through the courts. I don’t think I coulld afford that, or stand the stress either.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Thats crazy, Pete.. Lets hope you get a positive outcome.. x
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the system is insane to say the least
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It is driving me crazy, Beth. Pun intended!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Bureaucracy – got to hate it!!!
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I have been raging for months, Jack. It has made me feel quite ill, to be honest.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Never mind, Pete. The government has a plan. They’re going to sack 90,000 civil servants. So by the time your results get back to them, there’ll only be four people left to process them. They won’t be able to tell you that your licence has been revoked until sometime in the next 20 years.
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Cheers, Ian. It seems to me that they suddenly become very ‘efficient’ when it comes to possibly cancelling your licence. Perhaps they get some dark thrill out of being able to stop people driving?
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s bonkers. Still, nearly there now, do the test and get the licence and everything will be better. 🙂
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I feel like I used to before an important exam. The stress of potentially failing the test is making me very depressed, and I can’t concentrate properly.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A bit of positive thinking needed Pete, if the hospital think you’re OK it’s more than likely Specsavers won’t find a problem.
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I know, but it has dragged on for so long, it has really affected me. Can’t shake it at the moment.
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Beggars belief, Pete – mine expires at the end of this year, so not looking forward to the renewal process 😱
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If you don’t have any ‘notifiable’ eye problems, you should sail through it, Chris. One of my neighbours renewed his in February, and it only took ten days to come back!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for that ray of hope, Pete 😃
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