British drivers are being cautioned that they must comply with a 20-metre eyesight requirement to avoid potential prosecution. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) upholds rigorous regulations concerning driving standards.
Number plate test requirement
According to the Government website, all motorists must be able to correctly read a vehicle number plate from a distance of 20 metres (65 feet). This requirement applies even when wearing spectacles or contact lenses.
Additional eyesight standards must be met to be considered safe on the road. GOV.UK states: "You must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres."
"You must also meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye. You must also have an adequate field of vision - your optician can tell you about this and do a test."
The guidance warns: "You could be prosecuted if you drive without meeting the standards of vision for driving." Additionally, motorists must ensure they wear spectacles or contact lenses whenever driving if these are necessary to meet the vision standards.
What to do if you have eyesight problems
If you experience any vision difficulties, this does not automatically mean you are banned from driving. However, you are required to inform the DVLA of any such issues. GOV.UK says: "You must tell DVLA if you've got any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye. This does not include being short or long sighted or colour blind."
"You also do not need to say if you've had surgery to correct short-sightedness and can meet the eyesight standards." To check whether you need to notify the DVLA about your eyesight condition, you can use an online service. Failing to inform the DVLA of any vision problems that could affect your driving safety may result in a £1,000 fine.
Driving test requirements
The 20-metre rule is assessed as part of your practical driving test. At the start of the test, you must successfully read a number plate on a parked vehicle. "If you cannot, you'll fail your driving test and the test will not continue," GOV.UK says. "DVLA will be told and your licence will be revoked."
"When you reapply for your driving licence, DVLA will ask you to have an eyesight test with DVSA. This will be at a driving test centre. If you're successful, you'll still have to pass the DVSA standard eyesight test at your next practical driving test."
Stricter rules for lorry and bus drivers
There are more stringent eyesight regulations for lorry and bus drivers. You must have a visual acuity of at least 0.8 (6/7.5) on the Snellen scale in your best eye and at least 0.1 (6/60) in the other eye. GOV.UK states: "You can reach this standard using glasses with a corrective power not more than (+) 8 dioptres, or with contact lenses. There's no specific limit for the corrective power of contact lenses."
"You must have an uninterrupted horizontal visual field of at least 160 degrees with an extension of at least 70 degrees left and right and 30 degrees up and down. No defects should be present within a radius of the central 30 degrees."
You might still be able to renew your lorry or bus licence if you cannot meet these standards but held your licence before 1 January 1997. For more information, visit the Government website.
Proposed changes for drivers over 70
The Department for Transport (DfT) recently conducted a consultation on the possibility of introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers. The consultation period ran until May 11.
It sought opinions on potentially moving away from the current self-declaration system for eyesight standards for drivers aged 70 and over, and introducing mandatory eyesight tests for older drivers as part of the driving licence renewal process. Feedback from the consultation is currently being analysed.
