An elderly woman has spoken of her frustration after being asked to drive to another county to take an eye test for her licence.
Sue Roberts explained that she had been requested by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to take an eye test because of her age.
The 79-year-old said she took an eye test at her local Specsavers branch in January, but failed.
The DVLA informed Ms Roberts that she would need to travel to the nearest agency-approved medical centre for another test.
A DVLA eye test uses specialist equipment to measure the condition of someone’s eyesight through visual acuity and visual field tests.
Specsavers highlights that only some field machines can perform tests specified by the DVLA to their standards, meaning that not all locations can carry out a specific DVLA sight test.
The grandmother of five was told that there are no approved centres in Cornwall or Devon, and that the closest location was 175 miles away in Somerset.
Ms Roberts told Cornwall Live that she suffers from other health issues that would make an examination difficult, let alone the long drive to Castle Cary.
The driver explained that she was asked to travel 175 miles for an eye test to keep her licence
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DVLA/GETTY
She added that it would also be a difficult task to undertake for her 72-year-old partner, especially as a 400-mile round trip.
The motorist added that she would lose her licence if she could not attend the exam, although the DVLA has now allowed Ms Roberts to take her test closer to her house.
She said: “If I don’t pass, I’ll hold my hands up and say, ‘Okay, I failed it’. I’ll get on with it. I’ll get on with not being able to drive.
“But I think they can see that it’s not fair. I’m not going to be the only one that this is going to happen to.”
Only certain Specsavers locations are equipped with the facilities to host a DVLA-approved check
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PA
Ms Roberts emphasised how important it was for her to remain behind the wheel and retain her independence for herself and her partner.
Once a motorist reaches 70 years of age, they are required to renew their driving licence every three years, rather than every 10 years for younger motorists.
At this time, they must declare any medical conditions that could impact their ability to be safe behind the wheel.
However, the UK maintains its system of self-declaration, which has been criticised heavily by experts who warn that this can lead to drivers staying on the road to maintain their independence.
Adults are recommended to get an eye test every two years | PALabour recently announced plans for a consultation to introduce mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over the age of 70 to take as part of the Road Safety Strategy.
The consultation will run until May and could lead to “cognitive assessments” being run in the future to improve conditions on the road for all users.
The DVLA told Cornwall Live that it had resolved the issue with Ms Roberts, but would not comment further on individual cases.
GB News has approached the DVLA for a comment.
