Question about driving test and wearing glasses....

Lord TSC

Moved to "Learning to Drive"


So, officially, I failed an eyesight test when applying for my driving license, and so had to get glasses. It's on my licence I need the glasses when driving.

The truth is I really don't. I failed, but barely. I have trouble reading letters and numbers at far distances, but my sight is fine when it comes to seeing cars, obstacles, dangers, etc. The optician even said that he knew I would never really wear them, but he had to sign the sheets honestly. I've been driving for sixth months without the glasses on and have zero problems with anything except reading a sign at a great distance.

The main reason I don't wear them is I have some problems with stuff near my eyes and affecting them, and when I wear the glasses, I start to get a bit nervous/start to freak out a bit. I can barely keep them on for more than 30 seconds without freaking out. The eye test itself was a nightmare and I barely slept the night before worrying about it.

So really what I want to know is if the driving test inspector is going to insist I wear them? I bring them with me all the time when I'm driving. I do have a pair of sunglasses which I'm ok with wearing (barely) and someone told me I should try and bluff my way through the test with them on, saying they are medicated sunglasses Do they test your vision in the test itself? How strict are they with the whole glasses thing?

(*Has a feeling someone will give out that I have to wear them, its the law, how dare I ask, etc etc.*)

callaway92

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

So, officially, I failed an eyesight test when applying for my driving license, and so had to get glasses. It's on my licence I need the glasses when driving.

The truth is I really don't. I failed, but barely. I have trouble reading letters and numbers at far distances, but my sight is fine when it comes to seeing cars, obstacles, dangers, etc. The optician even said that he knew I would never really wear them, but he had to sign the sheets honestly. I've been driving for sixth months without the glasses on and have zero problems with anything except reading a sign at a great distance.

The main reason I don't wear them is I have some problems with stuff near my eyes and affecting them, and when I wear the glasses, I start to get a bit nervous/start to freak out a bit. I can barely keep them on for more than 30 seconds without freaking out. The eye test itself was a nightmare and I barely slept the night before worrying about it.

So really what I want to know is if the driving test inspector is going to insist I wear them? I bring them with me all the time when I'm driving. I do have a pair of sunglasses which I'm ok with wearing (barely) and someone told me I should try and bluff my way through the test with them on, saying they are medicated sunglasses Do they test your vision in the test itself? How strict are they with the whole glasses thing?

(*Has a feeling someone will give out that I have to wear them, its the law, how dare I ask, etc etc.*)

You failed the test. Stop saying you "don't need glasses".

You are putting other people's lives in danger, and if you were in an accident, you would be fúcked over with insurance if you weren't wearing them.

Common sense, yo'. I can't believe you even asked it.

**Timbuk2**

What if you try wearing your glasses all the time, even when not driving - I'm sure you will get used to them soon, so you won't find them uncomfortable during your test - if you can wear sunglasses then I'm sure you'll get used to actual glasses if you give it a go!

There'll be a number '01' on your licence which means you are required to wear corrective lenses, so the tester will know this, but I'm not sure how much you'll be interrogated over it - you could be wearing contact lenses for all he/she knows though!

MugMugs

callaway92 wrote: »

You are putting other people's lives in danger, and if you were in an accident, you would be fúcked over with insurance if you weren't wearing them.

Common sense, yo'. I can't believe you even asked it.

Talk about somebody think of the children! Get a grip.

OP the instructor may well insist on proof of you wearing your mandatory eye correction be them specs or contacts.

I'm the same as you and keep my glasses in the car just in case I'm tired or dusk etc....

Mugs

Daisy03

I did my test today and I am also required to wear glasses. I, however, am blind without them and I wear them all the time.

The tester never asked about them and there is no eye test on the day. For all she knew it could gave been clear glass in the frame and not prescription lenses.

If you turn up without glasses for all they know you could be wearing contacts.

By the way I'm not condoning not wearing glasses. Not only is it safer to you and other road users but also think about your vision in the long term... There is a greater chance of your vision deteriorating if you don't look after it now. You would be surprised how quickly you get used to glasses.

Good luck with the test.

Daxve

I'm short sighted and wear glasses watching TV and for viewing things at a distance but I don't wear them at other times. Despite needing glasses to see properly I have always passed the minimum standard for driving. I had an eye test in February and asked the optician and she said I still pass. I wouldn't drive a car without wearing my glasses even though legally I can my awareness of whats going on around me isn't nearly as good as I have to focus much harder on the road straight ahead of me. If I can pass the test the standard of the test is not high enough and you have failed this test so your eye sight is worse than mine.

That said no mention was made of it when I sat my test. I actually ended up having an argument in tax office over it as I ticked the box for needs glasses they then asked for the eye test to prove I need glasses I told them I passed the test but I don't drive without my glasses and that I had no problem with the endorsement on the license but they wouldn't allow it without the failed eye sight test! so I changed the form and now there is no mention of it on my license.

Cathalog

Just bluff that you're wearing contacts, simple.

Btw, in orser to failed that test, you must have pretty bad eyes! I'm not required to wear glasses but I honestly hate driving without them because it's a little blurry.

Lord TSC

Btw, in orser to failed that test, you must have pretty bad eyes! .

Thats the thing, I really don't. I have no problem seeing anything but itty bity writing at a great distance. I can still see Stop signs, road markings, read license plates in front of me and all that. I just have one little aspect of my vision which meant, legally, the optician had to fail me. As I said, even he said on the day I'd likely never wear them except for the test.

seavill

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

Thats the thing, I really don't. I have no problem seeing anything but itty bity writing at a great distance. I can still see Stop signs, road markings, read license plates in front of me and all that. I just have one little aspect of my vision which meant, legally, the optician had to fail me. As I said, even he said on the day I'd likely never wear them except for the test.

From the way you describe it the optician said that he thought you will never wear them, as I presume you made him aware of your fears or whatever it is about glasses, not that he thought you do not need to wear them.

From my recollection of doing the test they do ask you to read a numberplate or writing on a wall far away, that was 10 years ago so maybe that has changed now. That was the only eye test that I remember.

As someone mentioned and speaking from personal experience not wearing glasses when you need to even just for certain periods does nothing but damage your eyesight in the long term, and you will notice a bigger change over time, rather than looking after it now, and just wear them when driving and at no other time if you don't need them.

Cathalog

seavill wrote: »

From the way you describe it the optician said that he thought you will never wear them, as I presume you made him aware of your fears or whatever it is about glasses, not that he thought you do not need to wear them.

From my recollection of doing the test they do ask you to read a numberplate or writing on a wall far away, that was 10 years ago so maybe that has changed now. That was the only eye test that I remember.

As someone mentioned and speaking from personal experience not wearing glasses when you need to even just for certain periods does nothing but damage your eyesight in the long term, and you will notice a bigger change over time, rather than looking after it now, and just wear them when driving and at no other time if you don't need them.

I can confirm that this has changed. You do not do this anymore. (Hence why you get a test from an optician now)

spurious

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

Moved to "Learning to Drive"


So, officially, I failed an eyesight test when applying for my driving license, and so had to get glasses. It's on my licence I need the glasses when driving.

<snip>
(*Has a feeling someone will give out that I have to wear them, its the law, how dare I ask, etc etc.*)

You need to wear glasses.

What other rules and laws do you think you won't bother with?