A joint bid for the Driving Vehicle and Licensing Association (DVLA) contract has been launched the Association of Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (AIO) and Duncan and Todd’s Smart Employee Eyecare (See) business.
The two companies joined forces again for the 2024 bid as they did in 2019 when it was last up for tender and eventually awarded to Specsavers.
Christian French, chair of AIO said, said: ‘We are determined that independents can offer DVLA sight tests paid for by the Government if they elect to do so, and by working with See once again we believe there is a real chance of this becoming a reality.
‘It is of course the case that independents can offer the service to their patients on a private basis, and AIO provides its members with guidance on how to do this, but the point is that they shouldn’t have to. We encourage any independent that wishes to be part of the bid to join us.’
Jamie Ramage, corporate manager at See, added that the joint bid offered the DVLA an opportunity to cater to the needs of those who required a DVLA sight test through a geographically well spread of independent optical practices.
‘We are delighted to be working with AIO once again to make our bid as inclusive as possible,’ Ramage said. Optician has contacted Specsavers to confirm if they will be seeking a renewal of the DVLA contract in 2024.