Drivers in the UK are warned that they must meet a 20-metre eyesight rule or face potential prosecution. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has strict rules in place when it comes to driving standards.
On the Government website it explains that all motorists must be able to accurately read a car number plate from a distance of 20 metres (65 feet). This includes with the use of glasses or contact lenses.
You must also meet other eyesight requirements to be considered safe on the roads. On GOV.UK it says: “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.”
It warns: “You could be prosecuted if you drive without meeting the standards of vision for driving.” On top of this you must ensure you wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive if you need them to meet the “standards of vision for driving”.
If you have any eyesight problems
If you have any problems with your eyesight that doesn’t mean you can’t drive. However, you must inform the DVLA of any issues.
“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,” GOV.UK says. “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 if you need to tell DVLA about your eyesight problem, you can use an online service here.
Failing to tell the DVLA of any eyesight problems you have that could affect your driving could see you fined £1,000.
Driving test
The 20-metre rule is tested as part of your practical driving test. At the start of your practical driving test you have to correctly 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.”
Lorry and bus drivers
There are slightly stricter eyesight rules for lorry and bus drivers. You must have a visual acuity at least 0.8 (6/7.5) measured on the Snellen scale in your best eye and at least 0.1 (6/60) on the Snellen scale in the other eye.
GOV.UK says: “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 may 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 here.
Proposed changes for drivers over 70
Recently it was announced that motorists over the age of 70 could be banned from the roads if they fail compulsory eye tests. Currently drivers of any age are only expected to self-report any visual conditions affecting the ability to drive.
This change could make eye tests for the over-70s compulsory when they renew their driving licence every three years.
