What to do when you fail driver's license eye test??

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smb3

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So my driver's license will only expire next year, but I want to ask this question just in case.

What can be done if you fail the driver's license eye test? In my case, I barely passed the one from 4 years ago. The guys there had to test me three+ times.

I wear spectacles and they told me not to use spectacles on the last test. Also have a scratched cornea in one of my eyes, so this makes things worse. What used to happen is that the one eye was strong enough to make me pass the eye test. Won't be like this the next time.

I'm not looking to dodge any process or laws. Just seeing what the possible options are when the time arrives.
 
I think they will refer you to an optometrist. But mate, if you cannot pass that test are you comfortable driving and see other cars at a distance?
 
Insist on wearing your glasses.

The last time I went there were people being tested both with and without glasses.
Some asked to try without and then if they failed they redid it with...
 
What if you need glasses like you cannot see far, how does it work then?
 
I find this odd. Why the hell would you do the text with out glasses if you wear your glasses all the time? Who the hell would get in the car and take their glasses off and start driving?
 
BeatBot said:
I think they will refer you to an optometrist. But mate, if you cannot pass that test are you comfortable driving and see other cars at a distance?
Click to expand...

I always drive with spectacles. Without spectacles, I'd be driving with near sightedness (can't see far distance things until they're close enough, but that's only signs with text).
 
Thor187 said:
What if you need glasses like you cannot see far, how does it work then?
Click to expand...

This is my case (at least in the one eye, other eye is just blurry where I can make out objects, but never text). Was told to do it without glasses even though I told them I can't see at a distance. Makes no sense to me, but yeah.
 
I could only pass my test with glasses in the past 15 years, but I never wear them. Gonna be interesting if I can renew it coming this May. Hate wearing glasses. :mad: but my one eye is fooked since childhood from an accident.
 
Makes no sense. Do the test with your glasses. That you require glasses will be listed as a restriction. See this Google image search example:

driving-licence.jpg


Edit: just checked my housemates license and she did the eye test with glasses. Her restriction is "1".
 
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Go to Spec Savers and ask them to the drivers' eye test - doesn't cost anything. If they are happy, they will give you the relevant form to take with you and you won't have to do the eye test when you do your licence re-application. It won't save you much time in that the eye tests are done nowadays by the same person that does your fingerprints, but, at least, you will know that you are in the clear as far as your eyes are concerned when you go. I think that the test needs to be done no more than 3 months beforehand.
 
Despite having a Certificate from Torga Optical showing 6/6 vision in both eyes, the council officer insisted I use their machine

Despite 3 tries, I was unable to detect which way the arrow was pointing. She said that was a 100% fail

The card, which expires at the end of October anyway, was cut up. I presume that means no more driving for me?
 
Sounds like a bad Friday afternoon power trip.
I'll would have reported her to the station commander for destruction of property.
 
chrisc said:
Despite having a Certificate from Torga Optical showing 6/6 vision in both eyes, the council officer insisted I use their machine

Despite 3 tries, I was unable to detect which way the arrow was pointing. She said that was a 100% fail

The card, which expires at the end of October anyway, was cut up. I presume that means no more driving for me?
Click to expand...
no it means you need to go buy a coke or 2.
 
chrisc said:
Despite having a Certificate from Torga Optical showing 6/6 vision in both eyes, the council officer insisted I use their machine

Despite 3 tries, I was unable to detect which way the arrow was pointing. She said that was a 100% fail

The card, which expires at the end of October anyway, was cut up. I presume that means no more driving for me?
Click to expand...

Their machines aren't too good, my last tester sensibly suggested we have to pull our faces back a bit, so maybe not quite make contact with the surface to see the pics well enough.

If your eyes are tired on the day, squinting can help too.
 
Brian_G said:
Their machines aren't too good, my last tester sensibly suggested we have to pull our faces back a bit, so maybe not quite make contact with the surface to see the pics well enough.

If your eyes are tired on the day, squinting can help too.
Click to expand...
their machines are terrible
 
chrisc said:
Despite having a Certificate from Torga Optical showing 6/6 vision in both eyes, the council officer insisted I use their machine

Despite 3 tries, I was unable to detect which way the arrow was pointing. She said that was a 100% fail

The card, which expires at the end of October anyway, was cut up. I presume that means no more driving for me?
Click to expand...
It's not like you are driving without a license. It's just that you don't have a card.
 
just like most things in this country. half working or completely forked
 
Spoke to her superior. He will give me a temporary licence. He suggested I go to their Fish Hoek office and take the certificate along
 
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