Removing 01 code from licence after laser eye surgery
Discussion
I wore glasses for many years, then got my eyes Lasered about 7 years ago. Been 20/20 since.
I've still got the "01" code on the rear of my driving licence and finding conflicting evidence via DVLA as to whether I need to get this updated.
Looking at getting bike test done at some point which is what has motivated me to look after all these years.
Obviously 01 says I need vision correction but if anyone asked me if I had contacts or glasses with me I'd say no.
Any ideas or anyone had to do similar?
I've still got the "01" code on the rear of my driving licence and finding conflicting evidence via DVLA as to whether I need to get this updated.
Looking at getting bike test done at some point which is what has motivated me to look after all these years.
Obviously 01 says I need vision correction but if anyone asked me if I had contacts or glasses with me I'd say no.
Any ideas or anyone had to do similar?
I have ended up with 01 on my licence, but never needed glasses so not sure how that got there, probably more incompetence. They wanted me to pay for a replacement licence to have it removed. Told them where to go. According to the person o. The end of the phone, it doesn’t matter. I don’t need to have glasses if stopped.
Had this recently when I took my B&E towing test. Still have 01 on my license after laser surgery many years ago.
Was told to tell the examiner that I was wearing contact lenses and if I ever got stopped I should say the same. Was recommended to advise the DVLA next time I update my license or can just use the contact lens excuse if I get stopped.
My instructor implied that if you are stopped with the 01 code on your license and can't pass the eyesight test then you can be done for driving not in accordance with your license or something to that effect.
Was told to tell the examiner that I was wearing contact lenses and if I ever got stopped I should say the same. Was recommended to advise the DVLA next time I update my license or can just use the contact lens excuse if I get stopped.
My instructor implied that if you are stopped with the 01 code on your license and can't pass the eyesight test then you can be done for driving not in accordance with your license or something to that effect.
I had my eyes lasered 10+years ago and now have good eyesight. I had forgotten that I had the 01 endorsement on my licence, until I ran a check on my licence for work and saw it.
I raised an online query with DVLA in 2019, who replied:
'Thank you for your enquiry.
You are not legally required to inform us if you have had a change in your eyesight which means you:
• no longer need to wear glasses
• now need to wear glasses while driving
However, if there is an error on your driving licence you should return it to us with a signed covering letter explaining the situation.
Where should I send this?
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1ZA
How long will it take?
Please allow up to 3 weeks for your updated licence to be sent to you.'
Bottom line is that you don't have to tell them (but that you can). I didn't want to end up arguing the finer points of this with police or an insurer at a future point, so I sent in my licence with a cover letter stating that the 01 code is incorrect for me, and attaching a recent optician's eye test report. I had an updated licence back within a week, for no charge.
I raised an online query with DVLA in 2019, who replied:
'Thank you for your enquiry.
You are not legally required to inform us if you have had a change in your eyesight which means you:
• no longer need to wear glasses
• now need to wear glasses while driving
However, if there is an error on your driving licence you should return it to us with a signed covering letter explaining the situation.
Where should I send this?
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1ZA
How long will it take?
Please allow up to 3 weeks for your updated licence to be sent to you.'
Bottom line is that you don't have to tell them (but that you can). I didn't want to end up arguing the finer points of this with police or an insurer at a future point, so I sent in my licence with a cover letter stating that the 01 code is incorrect for me, and attaching a recent optician's eye test report. I had an updated licence back within a week, for no charge.
Any offence would be something like ‘driving with uncorrected defective vision’ . That no longer applies to you.
Code 01 means “eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses”
Note the ‘for example”.
By all means update your licence. If it is photocard licence you have to every 10 years anyway.
Were both eyes done, are you youngish, and was it astigmatism?
I ask because I know someone who is older who had artificial lenses put in (cataracts) and he had one side suitable for reading and the other side suitable for distance (flexible artificial lenses apparently can produce halo-like rings at night).
Code 01 means “eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses”
Note the ‘for example”.
By all means update your licence. If it is photocard licence you have to every 10 years anyway.
Were both eyes done, are you youngish, and was it astigmatism?
I ask because I know someone who is older who had artificial lenses put in (cataracts) and he had one side suitable for reading and the other side suitable for distance (flexible artificial lenses apparently can produce halo-like rings at night).
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