Current Affairs 2025

[Ray B]

What is the big problem with drivers over 70 having to have an eye test to check if you can see to the required rules. If you fail you could lose your licence.
Personally I would extend it to include under 70s to pass eye sight test, maybe every 5 years. I turn 78 in a couple of weeks time or so and have regular check ups
Why anyone could be against the new rule amazes me, I certainly would not want to drive if I couldn't see clearly,and would not like the idea of someone else driving who has defective vision.

[Onelife]

I was borderline at my last eye test and I can’t imagine my eyesight having got any better this past couple of years. If I do find myself having to surrender my licence next year I and others like me who live in rural areas with no public transport will find life far more difficult…Yes’ perhaps I’m being selfish and irresponsible but I consider myself a far better driver than many with 20/20 vision.

[Onelife]

What is the big problem with drivers over 70 having to have an eye test to check if you can see to the required rules. If you fail you could lose your licence.
Personally I would extend it to include under 70s to pass eye sight test, maybe every 5 years. I turn 78 in a couple of weeks time or so and have regular check ups
Why anyone could be against the new rule amazes me, I certainly would not want to drive if I couldn't see clearly,and would not like the idea of someone else driving who has defective vision.

I think all 75+ drivers should be made to take mental awareness tests…some can’t even remember when their bloody birthday is

[Jan Rosser]

One of the problems is that the optometrist does the test advises your eyesight is poor and you shouldn’t drive but it is the legal obligation of the patient who fills in the form to advise the DVLA of this but many don't and won’t. There are circumstances where the optometrist will inform the DVLA but my friend who is an optometrist says this rarely happens. I have an eye test annually now - 78 next month too Ray!

[towny44]

I am quite happy to have my optometrist advise the DVLA if my eyesight fails the test, but switching to taxis would not present me with the same problems that Onelife would have. But I hope he, and anyone who fails the test, would do the right thing and give up driving.

[david63]

How is this eye test going to work? Do you go to the optician for a "special" test? Do you go somewhere to read a number plate? Who is going to pay for this? Will the eye test be during the day, at night or both (known fact that night vision is worse than day vision)?

Very easy to make a statement as to what should happen but more difficult to actually come up with the solution and then enforce it.

And why pick on the over 70s? Everybody who drives should have to undergo the test.

[Stephen]

I expect most of us have an annual eye test, and if a particular area of your sight is poor then you are told you need new glasses or have your current glasses adjusted.

As for enforcing the rule, my guess is you will need to provide an opticians report and send to the DVLA.

[Onelife]

I expect most of us have an annual eye test, and if a particular area of your sight is poor then you are told you need new glasses or have your current glasses adjusted.

As for enforcing the rule, my guess is you will need to provide an opticians report and send to the DVLA.

And they’ll no doubt add that to the price of your annual prescription adjustment…. biggest rip off merchants in town are these optician companies.

[Stephen]

They always hit your pocket somewhere.

[towny44]

I expect most of us have an annual eye test, and if a particular area of your sight is poor then you are told you need new glasses or have your current glasses adjusted.

As for enforcing the rule, my guess is you will need to provide an opticians report and send to the DVLA.

And they’ll no doubt add that to the price of your annual prescription adjustment…. biggest rip off merchants in town are these optician companies.

Pensioners do not pay for a sight test, and we find the "optician companies" to be far cheaper than the local ones. We changed to specsavers about 10-12 years ago when our local optician was charging over £400 for a new pair of glasses, specsavers are nowhere near that price yet and that includes a "free" pair of prescription sunglasses.

[Stephen]

Agree John. My wife uses a high street company where as I use Tesco opticians, and am very happy with them.

[screwy]

Don’t need an eye test. Good lord I can see planes at 30000 plus ft plus. How far do they want me to see.

[Stephen]

Health and safety gone mad. What a nanny state we have become.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2zrj2vvzo

[Mervyn and Trish]

Health and safety gone mad. What a nanny state we have become.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2zrj2vvzo

Maybe they should lay me flat on the same grounds.

Agree John. My wife uses a high street company where as I use Tesco opticians, and am very happy with them.

We use Specsavers and find the prices reasonable and the service excellent.

[Ray B]

. I have an eye test annually now - 78 next month too Ray!

Yes,I know as you follow a few days after me.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Trish 78 today. But don't tell her I told you. I'm her toy boy of course.

[Jan Rosser]

Trish 78 today. But don't tell her I told you. I'm her toy boy of course.

Happy birthday to Trish who I’ve never met but feel I know from your posts Merv - hope you’ve spoilt her today

[Ray B]

Happy Birthday Trish. I will back what Janis said, hope he spoils you in a slap up restaurant.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We had a lovely lunch out.

[Ray B]

Did you push wallet out at the Primo Piano Ristorante you old romantic.

[Stephen]

Did you push wallet out at the Primo Piano Ristorante you old romantic.

Don’t be silly. Merv needs at least a month to get everything in place for a wallet extraction from the underground vault.

Happy belated birthday wishes to Trish from us both.
We have met and socialised with both Merv and Trish in Madeira. Cost me a fortune

[Ray B]

Stephen, while standing at the bar, you caved in first then.

[Stephen]

Stephen, while standing at the bar, you caved in first then.

Merv done that old trick of holding back making out his shoe laces had come undone. I wouldn’t have minded except he was wearing slip-ons.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Did you push wallet out at the Primo Piano Ristorante you old romantic.

Don’t be silly. Merv needs at least a month to get everything in place for a wallet extraction from the underground vault.

Happy belated birthday wishes to Trish from us both.
We have met and socialised with both Merv and Trish in Madeira. Cost me a fortune

Actually Mrs S got her purse out. Stephen had left his wallet in his other trousers. But don't tell anyone.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Did you push wallet out at the Primo Piano Ristorante you old romantic.

Actually a very nice place called the Plumicorn at the Tawny Hotel. A posh gaff where lots of celebs stay.