This may not be of any help because the situation is different, but our Fleet Manager had his licence revoked when the new uncorrected minimum came in, but was able to prove that his eyesight had not deteriorated in the time since he first started driving many years previously through opticians records, and could easily pass the corrected eyesight tests. He appealed and was reissued his licence on grounds of “Grandfather Rights” because they’d been passing him for 20-odd years with exactly the same eyesight before they changed the rules. Worth a try.
I’d definitely get down to the opticians and get a specialists opinion maybe laser treatment is a option. A mate of mine had it done and he was like mr magoo before it. Think it cost about £1500 although it varies case to case and they even offered him finance on it. He said he was paying around £400 a year on glasses so after four years he was in front and if you keep yor hgv its a no brainer.
I too failed the eyesight test many years ago. I was given duff info & told that I wouldn’t be able to renew my HGV licence.
I was lucky that the firm found other work for me, including driving the length & breadth of the country as a fleet inspector.
I’ve subsequently had a cataract operation on my right eye & the surgeon replaced the lens in my left eye a month later “to save doing it when you’re older”
Since then, the firm have had pity on me due to my advancing years & now the only thing they let me drive is a desk!
The silly thing is that I could have carried on driving 7.5 tonners despite failing the eyesight test. So the answer is yes you can still drive your car etc.
tachograph:
Mike-C:
Am i missing somehing here?Yes I’m afraid you’re missing the point that there’s a minimum uncorrected eyesight requirement to pass the medical and this is what the OP has failed
I’ve never had that on my medicals. I’m guessing from what Lucys just said its new?
This post probable strengthens the case for compulsory 5 yearly eye tests for all drivers. It frightens me that someone has been driving with eyesight so poor,
probably explains the poor standards of driving by some Royal Mail vehicles I have seen on the roads though 
All the above is good quality advice…with exception to the one that stated that its up to your employer to find you alternative work…i dont believe it is…for the simple reason…you are unfit to resume your normal duties, sorry but true.
The last time i took a medical, my doctor did the eyesight test, and put the wrong readings down…so i went to the opticians, who told me that the distance from the chair to the chart is very often not in the correct position in most doctors surgeries. I retook a test, got the form restamped by the opticians and sent it off. DVLA sent my licence back with a letter stating that i must wear glasses whilst driving…which i never have worn because i feel my eyes are ok…i can read number plates, and road signs…but admit to needing them when reading…especially page 3 
The problem i have now is, every medical i have to have a treadmill test, because of my heart problem, i struggled last time because its 9km, uphill, to test my heart rate…the problem i had was my legs not being able to cope…lets face it most of us only walk from the cab to the back doors…now i have a problem with my back ( i had a previous operation where a disc was removed ) and now i am struggling because its now affected the other leg ) that means a visit to the neurology dept for a scan and possibly another operation.
so the test they will ask me to partake in is another 9km jog…surely a different test would enable to tell if my old ticker is under stress or not, and not put my back problem to the test…anyway…i only got 3 weeks to retirement, and my licence expires in july…so i`ve got time to think about it…or maybe write to DVLA…
good luck with your licence renewal, and book the optician and get glasses should you need them, and re-apply.
Wheel Nut:
This post probable strengthens the case for compulsory 5 yearly eye tests for all drivers. It frightens me that someone has been driving with eyesight so poor,probably explains the poor standards of driving by some Royal Mail vehicles I have seen on the roads though
Not just on the roads. This guy went over the edge at Derby railway station - was dark, though.
Sorry to hear of Paul’s plight, but despite recent problems (impending privatization), he’s with a good firm regarding his transfer to non-driving work.
On a light hearted note - and with apologies to Paul, and all Polish drivers who visit this forum - this thread reminded me of a joke that came my way recently.
Polish trucker goes for LGV medical and begins the eye test.
Doctor says, “Can you read this”.
C Z W I X N O S T A C Z
Polish trucker replies, “Read it - I know the guy!”.
Hi All,
I just have time today to offer a few words.
Many thanks for all the encouraging advice from most of you.
There were 2 Senior Member’s comments which surprised me by their lack of sensitivity and generosity.
I thought it was clear in my opening message that I wear glasses.
With these glasses I can see perfectly well for driving.
It’s not my fault my poor eyesight without glasses hasn’t been detected before now.
I shall respond to other member cmomments hopefully tomorrow.
Hiya…i,ve never herd that before paul. I thought if you could see OK with specks away you went.
I,d go down the laser route especially at your age.I,ve got quite a few mates had the laser job and
have been very happy with the result.go for it …good luck mate.
John
iltgtwts:
Hi All,I just have time today to offer a few words.
Many thanks for all the encouraging advice from most of you.
There were 2 Senior Member’s comments which surprised me by their lack of sensitivity and generosity.
I thought it was clear in my opening message that I wear glasses.
With these glasses I can see perfectly well for driving.
It’s not my fault my poor eyesight without glasses hasn’t been detected before now.I shall respond to other member cmomments hopefully tomorrow.
I take it you include me in your post, why? I offered you similar advice and a couple of links to other posters. I have long campaigned for stricter more regular eyesight tests, simply as a keen motorcyclist. Most people do not even have an eye test, simply walk somewhere near a car and read the registration plate out loud.
Wheel Nut:
The thread has been covered before in much detail, but I have worn glasses for 45 years on and off and consider the top letter on a Snellen chart quite easy to read unaideddriversmedicals.com/eyetest.pdf
One thing I would do is visit my gp and an optometrist urgently
that polish joke from dave was very funny
i have beer glass thick specs and get on alright driving and took my medical in 2009 - cant remember this specs- free test though ( £90 medical cost was a shock) isnt it usually a big A first.
think this is a brussells sprout directive, if the driver drops his specs on the floor whilst doing 80mph in his 70 ton truck and may squash a few cars. 
3300John:
Hiya…i,ve never herd that before paul. I thought if you could see OK with specks away you went.
I,d go down the laser route especially at your age.I,ve got quite a few mates had the laser job and
have been very happy with the result.go for it …good luck mate.
John
As with any operation there can be complications in a minority of cases.
Mike-C:
iltgtwts:
Hi All,On 24 Jan 2011, nearing the age of 45, I took the HGV Medical. I work for the Royal Mail and the medical was performed by the works Doctor.
Unfortunately, my eyesight, without glasses, did not meet the minimum requirement. On that day I was taken off driving at my place of work.
After 3 weeks now, I am still waiting to hear from the DVLA. I called them last week and they as good as told me that my licence will indeed be revoked. The finalI’ve seen on other postings the suggestion about going to an optician to obtain a correct assessment, but as I, shockingly, couldn’t even read the first big letter at the top of the eyesight chart at the medical, I think it’s pretty certain that the assessment at the opticians will just confirm that my eyes do not reach the minimum requirement. But others may know differently?
What’s strange to me is my eyes were probably as bad as they are now when I passed my test in 1995, but maybe, back then, there wasn’t a minimum requirement, without glasses? Does anyone know if the medical has changed in this area since 1995?
Lastly, will my eyesight affect my entitlement to drive an ordinary car? and am I allowed to drive company vehicles in line with an ordinary car licence entitlement?
Many thanks to you all.
regards
Paul
Am i missing somehing here? Just go and get your eyes tested and a prescription for glasses and wear them so you meet the required standards. You then get a code 101 or something on your licence. I’m not seeing the panic or drama?
wears glasses,yes,read top line without glasses no equals fail,harsh but…
Things might have changed since 1998[the last time i had a medical]been ret 10yrs.When i took my medical in 98 if you failed to see the top letter of the chart unaided but your sight was ok with glasses you had grandfather rights,trouble is i cant remember why.May be someone on here can give the answer or put me right,anyway .it might be worth checking out.Good. luck mate.
regards dave.
DOH double post.
Wheel Nut:
This post probable strengthens the case for compulsory 5 yearly eye tests for all drivers. It frightens me that someone has been driving with eyesight so poor,probably explains the poor standards of driving by some Royal Mail vehicles I have seen on the roads though
No, his eyesight is poor without his corrective glasses, that doesn’t make him instantly a danger.
eddster1979:
Mike-C:
iltgtwts:
Hi All,On 24 Jan 2011, nearing the age of 45, I took the HGV Medical. I work for the Royal Mail and the medical was performed by the works Doctor.
Unfortunately, my eyesight, without glasses, did not meet the minimum requirement. On that day I was taken off driving at my place of work.
After 3 weeks now, I am still waiting to hear from the DVLA. I called them last week and they as good as told me that my licence will indeed be revoked. The finalI’ve seen on other postings the suggestion about going to an optician to obtain a correct assessment, but as I, shockingly, couldn’t even read the first big letter at the top of the eyesight chart at the medical, I think it’s pretty certain that the assessment at the opticians will just confirm that my eyes do not reach the minimum requirement. But others may know differently?
What’s strange to me is my eyes were probably as bad as they are now when I passed my test in 1995, but maybe, back then, there wasn’t a minimum requirement, without glasses? Does anyone know if the medical has changed in this area since 1995?
Lastly, will my eyesight affect my entitlement to drive an ordinary car? and am I allowed to drive company vehicles in line with an ordinary car licence entitlement?
Many thanks to you all.
regards
Paul
Am i missing somehing here? Just go and get your eyes tested and a prescription for glasses and wear them so you meet the required standards. You then get a code 101 or something on your licence. I’m not seeing the panic or drama?
wears glasses,yes,read top line without glasses no equals fail,harsh but…
I’m still not seeing anything in his post to indicate he wears glasses.I do wear glasses and i’m 48 so my last medical was, what, roughly three years ago and i never had to take them off. So it is news to me that you need to have a minimum uncorrected vision.
Mike-C:
eddster1979:
Mike-C:
iltgtwts:
Hi All,On 24 Jan 2011, nearing the age of 45, I took the HGV Medical. I work for the Royal Mail and the medical was performed by the works Doctor.
Unfortunately, my eyesight, without glasses, did not meet the minimum requirement. On that day I was taken off driving at my place of work.
After 3 weeks now, I am still waiting to hear from the DVLA. I called them last week and they as good as told me that my licence will indeed be revoked. The finalI’ve seen on other postings the suggestion about going to an optician to obtain a correct assessment, but as I, shockingly, couldn’t even read the first big letter at the top of the eyesight chart at the medical, I think it’s pretty certain that the assessment at the opticians will just confirm that my eyes do not reach the minimum requirement. But others may know differently?
What’s strange to me is my eyes were probably as bad as they are now when I passed my test in 1995, but maybe, back then, there wasn’t a minimum requirement, without glasses? Does anyone know if the medical has changed in this area since 1995?
Lastly, will my eyesight affect my entitlement to drive an ordinary car? and am I allowed to drive company vehicles in line with an ordinary car licence entitlement?
Many thanks to you all.
regards
Paul
Am i missing somehing here? Just go and get your eyes tested and a prescription for glasses and wear them so you meet the required standards. You then get a code 101 or something on your licence. I’m not seeing the panic or drama?
wears glasses,yes,read top line without glasses no equals fail,harsh but…
I’m still not seeing anything in his post to indicate he wears glasses.I do wear glasses and i’m 48 so my last medical was, what, roughly three years ago and i never had to take them off. So it is news to me that you need to have a minimum uncorrected vision.
quote without glasses means he wears them 
min uncorrected vision must be 3/60 in both eyes,unless he passed his lgv before 1997 then only 3/60 req in 1 eye!
eddster1979:
"without glasses" means he wears them
Well I’m sorry Eddster & OP, but I didn’t realise that was what it was meant to mean and it seems I wasn’t alone. Apologies OP if I came accross a bit harsh, I did not realise, from the way you wrote your OP, that you already wore glasses.
