klingon
21st March 2009, 23:01
An article from the 'News' section of the Consumer website:
Driver eyesight test problems
27-Feb-2009
Machines for checking drivers' eyesight started appearing in driver licensing centres about 10 years ago.
They work fine for most people: the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says 96.5 percent of people pass the eyesight test on these machines. Every year the screening checks pick up more than 5000 drivers who need corrective lenses.
But there are a few people (about 2.5 percent of driver licence applicants) who fail the machine test - even though they don't need glasses. These people have to pay for an examination by an optometrist or doctor to certify that their vision's okay.
If this happens to you, can you get your costs reimbursed? NZTA spokesperson Andy Knackstedt says refunds will be considered on a "case-by-case" basis.
NZTA should be doing better than this. You should get a refund as a matter of course if a professional eye examination shows there's nothing wrong with your vision.
As a member of the 2.5% of the population who can see perfectly but can't use the AA eye testing machine, I couldn't agree more!
Despite having better than 20/20 vision, the way I use my eyes (one at a time) means I will never be able to pass a test using that stupid machine! So as I progressed through the class 6 licence system I had to pay for three professional eyesight tests at $50 a pop. That's $150 extra on top of the approx. $350 it costs just for the standard fees!
Unfortunately I had no idea I could apply for a refund from NZTA, and have not kept my receipts. :doh:
However I would like to encourage everyone who is currently going through the process to apply for a refund. When you apply, it might help to refer to the article in question as a bit of backup. If your application for a refund is rejected, please also let Consumer know.
http://www.consumer.org.nz/newsitem.asp?docid=5458&category=News&topic=Driver%20eyesight%20test%20problems
Driver eyesight test problems
27-Feb-2009
Machines for checking drivers' eyesight started appearing in driver licensing centres about 10 years ago.
They work fine for most people: the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says 96.5 percent of people pass the eyesight test on these machines. Every year the screening checks pick up more than 5000 drivers who need corrective lenses.
But there are a few people (about 2.5 percent of driver licence applicants) who fail the machine test - even though they don't need glasses. These people have to pay for an examination by an optometrist or doctor to certify that their vision's okay.
If this happens to you, can you get your costs reimbursed? NZTA spokesperson Andy Knackstedt says refunds will be considered on a "case-by-case" basis.
NZTA should be doing better than this. You should get a refund as a matter of course if a professional eye examination shows there's nothing wrong with your vision.
As a member of the 2.5% of the population who can see perfectly but can't use the AA eye testing machine, I couldn't agree more!
Despite having better than 20/20 vision, the way I use my eyes (one at a time) means I will never be able to pass a test using that stupid machine! So as I progressed through the class 6 licence system I had to pay for three professional eyesight tests at $50 a pop. That's $150 extra on top of the approx. $350 it costs just for the standard fees!
Unfortunately I had no idea I could apply for a refund from NZTA, and have not kept my receipts. :doh:
However I would like to encourage everyone who is currently going through the process to apply for a refund. When you apply, it might help to refer to the article in question as a bit of backup. If your application for a refund is rejected, please also let Consumer know.
http://www.consumer.org.nz/newsitem.asp?docid=5458&category=News&topic=Driver%20eyesight%20test%20problems