Cynical speculation; LETTERS to the EDITOR.

DAVID KIRWAN speculates that there may, in future, be a fee for the registration of a Sorn at the DVLA ("Yet another stealth tax", Letters, September 22). A recent experience suggests this is unlikely.

I decided to apply for a photo driving licence and, on filling in the application form, noticed that there was a section where impairment of sight should be declared. I have been a migraine sufferer for all my adult life and temporary impairment of sight is one of the symptoms. Since this occurs without warning, I thought it best to declare it, even though it has only happened twice when driving in over 40 years on the road.

People said that I was only making difficulties for myself, and when there was delay in issuing the licence I began to believe this to be true. Then I was sent a consent form to allow DVLA to consult my GP. I returned it to DVLA with growing pessimism.

Soon, however, I received my licence with a letter telling me to inform DVLA, should my condition worsen. Fair enough. Then, to my surprise, DVLA sent me a cheque for pounds 20 - the cost of a driving licence. Puzzled by this, I phoned up and was told that, because my licence was restricted due to my medical condition, my fee had been returned.

Since this is how DVLA operates, I cannot accept Mr Kirwan''s view on SORN, and advise him to ditch cynical speculation and stick to the facts in future.

Alex Black, Chester