Eyesight Report for Driving Licensing Purposes

GreeBo

Why on earth is this report only valid for 30days and yet the optician recommends that your next appointment is in 2 years time?

BrianD

Don't see the problem. This is a medical report for a specific purpose and it is logical that it has a specific time validity. If you go for a medical for a visa or job it is only valid for a specific period even though your doc may say to come back in a year for a check up.

GreeBo

well what are the chances of going from ok to drive without glasses, to needing glasses in two months?
Sounds like a money spinner for someone to me.

Bogger77

It's simply a cert saying that at the time of testing, your eye sight was of X standard. By putting a time limit on it, stops people dragging up a year old report, even though they're blind as a bat. Why a month limit? Cos if your too lazy to submit the report within 30 days, you don't deserve a license.

Not everything got to do with transport in Ireland is a "money spinner"

BrianD

Spot on bogger! Seems when people are too lazy to do something its always because of some one elses "money spinner"!

egan007

Back of tesco receipts - specsavers are offering a free eye test

seamus

Mate of mine has been wearing reading glasses for years, and when he went for his eye exam for the car licence, he was told it was fine. Even a recent check up (< 1 year) the optician told him he was OK for driving without his glasses. He drove around with them on a lot of the time anyway, particularly at night.

He recently went to get another report for a truck licence, and the optician (not his regular one) told him there's no way in hell he can drive a truck without his glasses!

Are there more stringent guidelines for HGV drivers (don't see why there would be), or is it a case of lazy opticians?

Bogger77

That's the problem, all opticians seem to give different perscriptions. But as in all things medical, don't rely on what the Doc says, check your eyes yourself. I do it regularly, seeing if I can read the number of the car in front, at 50yds etc.

Bogger77

seamus wrote:

Mate of mine has been wearing reading glasses for years, and when he went for his eye exam for the car licence, he was told it was fine. Even a recent check up (< 1 year) the optician told him he was OK for driving without his glasses. He drove around with them on a lot of the time anyway, particularly at night.

Reading Glasses shouldn't be worn when driving, unless you got bi or vari-focals!! No wonder your mates eyes got worse. He probably strained them with too strong of lenses.

Reading Glasses are for close up, increased magnification, driving or normal use glasses are more to correct imperfections not increase magnification.

GreeBo

Bogger77 wrote:

Why a month limit? Cos if your too lazy to submit the report within 30 days, you don't deserve a license.

What if you need to go do a theory test aswell?
These things take time, all Im saying is a one month limit is a bit harsh.

fletch

GreeBo wrote:

Why on earth is this report only valid for 30days and yet the optician recommends that your next appointment is in 2 years time?

Agreed, its ridiculous considering, if you pass your test well then that's it for at least 10yrs :rolleyes:

Bogger77

To be honest, if your going to drive round with out checking your eyes regularly, and saying that sure my license doesn't say I need glasses, please leave your car at home and rip up your license. You're as dangerous on the road as a speeding driver.


(by the way, it's one month to apply for your license, you should have passed your theory test before going for the eye exam, the time limit shouldn't be an issue).

GreeBo

Bogger77 wrote:

To be honest, if your going to drive round with out checking your eyes regularly, and saying that sure my license doesn't say I need glasses, please leave your car at home and rip up your license. You're as dangerous on the road as a speeding driver.

No one said they were going to do this, stop stirring. The point is why is the test valid for only 1 month if you arent required to take another test for so long after you get a licence?

Bogger77 wrote:

(by the way, it's one month to apply for your license, you should have passed your theory test before going for the eye exam, the time limit shouldn't be an issue).

"should"?? tell me where it says what order I need to do these things in?
I dont need to have a theory test to take an eye exam or vice versa.
The two are unrelated.

Give me a good reason for the limit and I'll accept it. So far I havent seen any.

seamus

GreeBo wrote:

What if you need to go do a theory test aswell?
These things take time, all Im saying is a one month limit is a bit harsh.

You don't need an eyesight report to take the theory test.

GreeBo

seamus wrote:

You don't need an eyesight report to take the theory test.

Yes, but if I get an eye test first, I then only have 4 weeks to get my theory test and apply for my licence.

Im still waiting for a good reason....

parsi

GreeBo wrote:

Yes, but if I get an eye test first, I then only have 4 weeks to get my theory test and apply for my licence.

Im still waiting for a good reason....

Why does there have to be a good reason ? Most certificates that prove something is in a certain state at a point of time only have a set validity. When you pass your test your certificate of competency is only valid for a certain period - if you excess that period then you can't get your licence (though I'm sure most people go to the licence office the day they pass..).

It would be hard for an optician to want to sign a form with open ended validity - peoples eyes do change especially as you get older...

Do things always have to be cast as some form of monkey-making scam or some form of severe injustice or the outward manifestation of some government plot ?

seamus

GreeBo wrote:

Yes, but if I get an eye test first, I then only have 4 weeks to get my theory test and apply for my licence.

Then don't get your eye test first. Problem solved.

Esel

Bogger77 wrote:

I do it regularly, seeing if I can read the number of the car in front, at 50yds etc.

50yds? AFAIK, you are supposed to be able to read it at 25 yards, not 50.

How good are you at judging distance? I don't think many people could read a number at 50 yards, tbh. Try it 'on the ground' sometime. Walk 50 yards away from a car and then try to read the number.

Also, I'd prefer you to be paying attention to driving rather than 'testing your eyes' regularly.

Victor

parsi wrote:

some form of monkey-making scam

Show me the monkey!

Bogger77

GreeBo wrote:

No one said they were going to do this, stop stirring. The point is why is the test valid for only 1 month if you arent required to take another test for so long after you get a licence?

If I remember correctly, unless you go for another class of license, you do not need to do an eye exam and submit the cert until your 70th birthday. So, the eye test done by an 17yr old, getting first provisional license, will be valid until they hit 70, that's 53 years. Makes the month limit immaterial in that sense.

The limit is there, as with the NCT, it's certificate that says your eyes (or car in NCT case), passes the stanard proscribed by the Dept of Transport, at that moment in time. The 30 limit is it's a reasonable amount of time to allow you to complete the rest of the application process. Since, you do not need to submit an Eye Test cert when you apply for a Theory test, and you cannot apply for a provisional license without first passing a theory test.

Why would you get the theory test first? Makes sense to most people here that you'd do it in the reverse order, pass the theory test, then eye test, then apply for the license the following day. Simple

Bogger77

esel wrote:

50yds? AFAIK, you are supposed to be able to read it at 25 yards, not 50.

How good are you at judging distance? I don't think many people could read a number at 50 yards, tbh. Try it 'on the ground' sometime. Walk 50 yards away from a car and then try to read the number.

Also, I'd prefer you to be paying attention to driving rather than 'testing your eyes' regularly.

Stuck in the wonderful dublin traffic, reading the numbers of as many cars as I can. 50yds (150 feet, not that far, 15 car lenghts in traffic), I can read most plate fonts in good light. Don't get me started on those "customised" plates.

Anyhows, I work most of the day with PC's so I get my eyes tested professionally quite often.

GreeBo

parsi wrote:

Why does there have to be a good reason ?

errrrr ok.

parsi wrote:

Most certificates that prove something is in a certain state at a point of time only have a set validity. When you pass your test your certificate of competency is only valid for a certain period - if you excess that period then you can't get your licence (though I'm sure most people go to the licence office the day they pass..).

It would be hard for an optician to want to sign a form with open ended validity - peoples eyes do change especially as you get older...

open-ended validity was never brought up, but I doubt there would be any noticable difference after one month. (saving sticking a fork into your eye)

parsi wrote:

Do things always have to be cast as some form of monkey-making scam or some form of severe injustice or the outward manifestation of some government plot ?

no, but often they are (Stamp Duty anyone?)

GreeBo

Bogger77 wrote:

Since, you do not need to submit an Eye Test cert when you apply for a Theory test, and you cannot apply for a provisional license without first passing a theory test.

Why would you get the theory test first? Makes sense to most people here that you'd do it in the reverse order, pass the theory test, then eye test, then apply for the license the following day. Simple

Say, for example, you decide to go get your provisonal one day.
You ring up the handy number for the test centre and they say ok, we can book you in in 2 weeks time, you think grand, thats that done.
Next on my list is an eye test cert, ring them up and they say drop down tomorrow.
Now what happens if you fail your theory test first time?
There goes one valid eye test cert.

seamus

GreeBo wrote:

errrrr ok.

No, seriously. Why? It's a completely trivial matter. You have no reason to get this eyesight test, other than to apply for a driving licence, a process which takes a few minutes of your time to fill out and pop in the post. How does a 30-day validity period in any way affect you?

no, but often they are (Stamp Duty anyone?)

You see, this is the problem. People automatically assume that because the Government seem to be charging for no good reason, then it's a scam. Fact of the matter is, the Government needs money. Stamp duty is too high at the moment, but it is necessary.
If this is a scam, it lines the pockets of opticians, nobody else. I can't see how it could be a scam in that case.

GreeBo

seamus wrote:

No, seriously. Why? It's a completely trivial matter. You have no reason to get this eyesight test, other than to apply for a driving licence, a process which takes a few minutes of your time to fill out and pop in the post. How does a 30-day validity period in any way affect you?

See previous post. Or, say you get run down by a bus and spend 5 weeks in a coma.
AND you are forgetting about the Theory Test. Give me a solid reason why it couldnt be valid for 6 months.

seamus wrote:

You see, this is the problem. People automatically assume that because the Government seem to be charging for no good reason, then it's a scam. Fact of the matter is, the Government needs money. Stamp duty is too high at the moment, but it is necessary.
If this is a scam, it lines the pockets of opticians, nobody else. I can't see how it could be a scam in that case.

I know Governments need money which is why I have no time for the no Bin Tax muppets. Stamp Duty on the otherhand is a Prohibitive Cost thats needs to be updated as it no longer serves its purpose (Taxing Luxury Homes)

Oh and if you read my post you will see that I said "Sounds like a money spinner for someone to me" I didnt mention the government. If there is no good reason for a 1 month period then why is it so?

seamus

GreeBo wrote:

See previous post. Or, say you get run down by a bus and spend 5 weeks in a coma.
AND you are forgetting about the Theory Test. Give me a solid reason why it couldnt be valid for 6 months.

If you've been run down by a bus, and spent 5 weeks in a coma, applying for a provisional licence is the last thing on your mind. </pedantic>
I'm not forgetting about the theory test at all. To apply for the theory test involves picking up the phone. To get an eye test involves going to an optician. Ergo, most people will apply for the theory test, take a day off to do it, then on the same day as they pass, go down and get an eye test (because they've taken the time off, and have it to spare), photographs and send it all off in a big envelope.

GreeBo

You can continue to provide ways around it, but the question remains, Why?

seamus

Why not?

IgnatiusJRiley

GreeBo wrote:

AND you are forgetting about the Theory Test. Give me a solid reason why it couldnt be valid for 6 months.

In fairness it should only really need to be valid for about a week.
If you can't get yourself together to send off an application form within a month then you're just as likely to forget all about it and then start whinging about why the thing is only valid for 6 months.
As for the theory test, surely you would read into all the requirements of getting your licence before going to get the eye test (I know I did) and therefore get it AFTER you have passed the theory test? Or is your complaint that these things aren't setup with lazy folk in mind?

Bogger77

GreeBo wrote:

You can continue to provide ways around it, but the question remains, Why?

It's 30 days because...

when they wrote the regulations, they had to define a date.
30 days seems like more than enuf time to get round to popping in into the post with the form. If they, the civil servants, felt that 30 days wasn't enough, it'd be 60 days or 90 days.


or... more simply put.
That's just the way it is.

GreeBo

Bogger77 wrote:

It's 30 days because...

when they wrote the regulations, they had to define a date.
30 days seems like more than enuf time to get round to popping in into the post with the form. If they, the civil servants, felt that 30 days wasn't enough, it'd be 60 days or 90 days.


or... more simply put.
That's just the way it is.

So the 30 days has nothing to do with your eyes its purely the validity of the form, which you have to pay to get.

dont make no sense to me boss.

Capt'n Midnight

What's all the fuss about. You don't need the eye test until you apply for the license and you can't apply for the license without the eye test. So once you have decided to do it ya might as well do them together.


Also some centres are up to 54 weeks waiting time for driving tests, so 30 days is kinda academic.

Bogger77

GreeBo wrote:

So the 30 days has nothing to do with your eyes its purely the validity of the form, which you have to pay to get.

dont make no sense to me boss.

You have to pay your optician, not the Dept of Trans, but yes, you've got it. It's nothing to do with your eyes, it's the form.

aliveandkicking

The one month rule existed before the theory test did so it was never an issue. And also the government doesn't benefit a single cent if someone sends in an expired eyesight report in fact it costs the government money in administration costs and working time to reject an application because of an eyesight report so it would benefit everyone (except the opticians) if people would do things properly.

GreeBo

aliveandkicking wrote:

The one month rule existed before the theory test did so it was never an issue. And also the government doesn't benefit a single cent if someone sends in an expired eyesight report in fact it costs the government money in administration costs and working time to reject an application because of an eyesight report so it would benefit everyone (except the opticians) if people would do things properly.

ARGH RTFP:mad:
I didnt say that the government would make any money from this, read the posts people, dont assume things.

In fact, one could argue that it would benefit EVERYONE if the time limit was increased.

Capt'n Midnight

GreeBo wrote:

ARGH RTFP:mad:
I didnt say that the government would make any money from this, read the posts people, dont assume things.

In fact, one could argue that it would benefit EVERYONE if the time limit was increased.

If you didn't notice the 30 day limit earlier, I would respectfully suggest that you should consider a visit to an optician.

GreeBo

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

If you didn't notice the 30 day limit earlier, I would respectfully suggest that you should consider a visit to an optician.

Notice it where?
It's on the form that you get in the Opticians, Dick Head.

BrianD

The 30 day limit has nothing to do with how long or short it takes to apply for a driving licence, pass test etc. It's a medical report for a legal document and no medical report has an open ended validity. If you do any other medical for official reasons, it is valid for similar lengths of time only.

I can't see what the fuss is about. You can't apply for a provisional licence without your theory test so once you have that done you do your eyesight test and post the lot off. Your provisional licence will state must "wear corrective lenses" (if that is the case) and this will transfer onto subsequent licences. Though, I don't know what happens when you get corrective eye surgery!!

seamus

BrianD wrote:

Though, I don't know what happens when you get corrective eye surgery!!

"I'm wearing contacts ociffer"

That's what I would do anywho, and it's never been questioned (yes, I do wear contacts pretty much all the time while driving, if not I'm wearing glasses, cos I'd be blind otherwise), a Guard has never even asked me about it.

I'm sure you can apply to have it removed once you hand in a cert from an optician saying that your eyesight is corrected.

GreeBo

BrianD wrote:

The 30 day limit has nothing to do with how long or short it takes to apply for a driving licence, pass test etc. It's a medical report for a legal document and no medical report has an open ended validity. If you do any other medical for official reasons, it is valid for similar lengths of time only.

Exactly, so if this eye test is only valid for 30 days why is it that when you get a Full Licence you dont need another eye test for 10 years.
Also, for the hard of seeing, I never said it should be open ended, merelythat 30 days is pointlessly short.

BrianD wrote:

Your provisional licence will state must "wear corrective lenses" (if that is the case) and this will transfer onto subsequent licences. Though, I don't know what happens when you get corrective eye surgery!!

And what if you are 50 and you pass your eye test, in 10 years time you could be blind as a bat, but its ok, coz you got your form in within 30 days.

Its a stupid time limit that serves no purpose at all.
Its been a week an not one person has come up with a good reason for 1 month.

BrianD

Greebo wrote:

Exactly, so if this eye test is only valid for 30 days why is it that when you get a Full Licence you dont need another eye test for 10 years.
Also, for the hard of seeing, I never said it should be open ended, merelythat 30 days is pointlessly short.

errr. you are missing the point! Your eyesight test is a document that determines whether you should wear corrective lenses and this information is endorsed on your licence. Once that is estalished it is really irrelevant how many eye tests you have after that.

An eyesight test really has no time duration but the certificate that the states the results of the test has 30 days.

GreeBo

BrianD wrote:

errr. you are missing the point! Your eyesight test is a document that determines whether you should wear corrective lenses and this information is endorsed on your licence. Once that is estalished it is really irrelevant how many eye tests you have after that.

Not so, that only makes sense if you fail the eye test, what about the majority whom pass it? Why are you not required to have an eye test every two years, as the opticians advise?

BrianD wrote:

the certificate that the states the results of the test has 30 days.

Exactly, and to return to post #1 in this thread, WHY?
Give me one good reason why its so short.

BrianD

One good reason? Because it is a legal medical certificate that has to have a time span. No other medical certificate will last you more than 30 days. This is standard practice and it makes perfect sense. 30 days is a reasonable length of time.

Greebo you are clutching at straws here! It's like asking why is the earth round! Please re-read what I and others have posted.

isolde

I went for an eye sight test or whatever it's called, and the optician said that I have to wear glasses when driving, etc, etc. So I applied for licence, included optician's report, and got licence in post other day but it doesn't say anywhere on the licence that I have to wear glasses when driving.

Strange.

~isolde.

seamus

isolde wrote:

I went for an eye sight test or whatever it's called, and the optician said that I have to wear glasses when driving, etc, etc. So I applied for licence, included optician's report, and got licence in post other day but it doesn't say anywhere on the licence that I have to wear glasses when driving.

Strange.

~isolde.

There are numbers on the third inside page of the licence, beside the category you've applied for. One of them will mention the eyes (in a number form).

isolde

I know

The eyesight number isn't there.

BrianD

It is, it's "01 - Must wear corrective lenses". The number is printed in the "restrictions" column and there is also a printed unsert with the explaination of each number. This seems to be a new thing as I renewed my licence recently. My old licence just had a stamp on it about the corrective lenses.

isolde

no.. no it isn't. despite the fact i need glasses at times, i can read the restrictions list and the glasses restriction thing, 01, isn't there. must have been an oversight.

~isolde.

BrianD

Perhaps there has been in your case.

GreeBo

BrianD wrote:

One good reason? Because it is a legal medical certificate that has to have a time span. No other medical certificate will last you more than 30 days. This is standard practice and it makes perfect sense. 30 days is a reasonable length of time.

So you still dont have a good reason. You could at least be honest and say so.

BrianD wrote:

It's like asking why is the earth round!

Err the Earth is round because of a magical thing called gravity!

RicardoSmith

BrianD wrote:

Perhaps there has been in your case.

When I got my licence renewed a few years back, they didn't put the date that I got my first licence on it, but the date that the replacement licence was issued on. So it looked like I'd only had a full licence a short time. This is a problem when trying to hire cars, since they want to see that you have a full licence for 2 or even 3 years. At the time they wouldn't change it, saying the hire company could fax them in a request and they would fax them out the relevent details. Since they are not open at the weekends and take days to respond to most communications, this was unworkable for me. So I was fumming until I realised they'd not put glasses restriction on it. So when I told them about it, they agreed to reissue the licence with the original date and the glasses restriction on it.

So maybe theres a few cases where they've forgotten to put it on there.