Failed Heavy Vehicle Eye test

[defyet]

Been hanging for my Heavy Vehicle licence for sometime now. Went and did the Driving Assesment. $600 (normal price) later i passed, So i go to the RTA to pick up my licence and i have to do an eye test which you have to read smaller writing then a normal car licence. And i could see it 100% clear with one eye and i couldnt even see the biggest writing with my right eye and they rejected me.
So i went to the optometrist and he said glasses wont do much cause you have a lazy eye but they will help a little. And he said he would write a letter saying he thinks im able to drive a heavy vehicle but its still up to the RTA if they think im suitable.
So now i have to wait weeks for glasses (which i have never worn and never thought i needed) and i have a job interview in 3 days which depends on my licence and they also require me to do a eye/health check for the job.

Anyone else ever had a similiar problem? Surely there is a way around this i can see better then most and surely older truck drivers have eye sight problems.

Cheers,
Scott

[vt1538]

I have the same problem in my left eye. No amount of correction will help as the brain has learnt to function without a clear picture & the muscles that are used to focus the eye atrophy after a long period.
While 2 years ago a letter from the optometrist stating this fact was enough they have changed this rule. Now there is a different standard to hold your heavy vehicle licence. Even with the lazy eye being ignored by the brain you must meet the criteria with corrective lenses to hold a licence & have the condition noted on the back of your licence. Also they will ask for a yearly medical review of your vision.
They wouldn't exempt me from this even though my licence is for rego inspection purposes only. So if you are going to be a driver by occupation you will definately need to wear glasses.

[minux]

Our workshop manager had a small stroke, which ruined eyesight in one eye. His licence was removed.

Under the laws you must have vision to set angles at certain distances. Unfortunatley with heavy vehicles it can't be bypassed. You may if in Vic also recieve a letyter soon asking to have a medical fitness exam regarding a normal car licence.

PS: was the licence for HR or HC? For either $600 is defiantly a bargain!

[greenfoam]

You can do exersizes to fix eyes like this but it's not easy to find information on it. Seems to be more money in glasses than books?

[bangers]

HV license is very strict on medicals as you are literally driving something extremely lethal. I wasn't allowed to get my HV license with a neck problem i had until i could turn my head to look over my shoulder fully. even though you look over your shoulder in a car you really don't have to in a truck as you have mirrors and the sleeper cab is behind you so you can't check that blind spot like you would in a car. even still they wouldn't pass me medically.

Until they think you have adequate vision out of both eyes you won't get you license. one eye being that bad is a huge blindspot. i hate to say it but you'd be a danger on the road.