DVLA eyesight rules for UK drivers who need glasses

Millions of motorists who depend on glasses or contact lenses have been urged to wear them every single time they get behind the wheel if they are required to meet legal eyesight standards.

The reminder comes from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which warns that drivers failing to meet minimum vision requirements face prosecution and could lose their licence. According to the regulations, anyone who requires glasses or contact lenses for clear vision must wear them whenever they are driving.

Drivers must be capable of reading a number plate from 20 metres away – approximately the length of five parked cars – while wearing any corrective lenses they usually use. They must also satisfy the legal eyesight standard of visual acuity of at least 6/12 (decimal 0.5) on the Snellen scale, using both eyes together or the remaining eye if they have sight in only one.

Motorists must additionally have an adequate field of vision, which can be assessed by an optician through specialist testing.

When motorists must notify the DVLA.

Drivers are obliged to inform the DVLA if they develop any eyesight condition affecting both eyes, or the remaining eye if they have only one.

However, certain common conditions don't need to be reported, including being short-sighted, long-sighted or colour blind, as long as the driver can still satisfy the required vision standards.

Individuals who have undergone laser surgery to correct short-sightedness also don't need to notify the DVLA if their eyesight now meets the legal requirements. However, if motorists declare a medical condition affecting their vision, the DVLA may refer them for a specialist eyesight test with a contracted optician.

This test is provided free of charge. Drivers can opt to have an eyesight test elsewhere, but they'll need to cover the cost themselves, and the DVLA doesn't guarantee it will accept the results unless they include an Esterman visual field test.

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Stricter standards for lorry and bus drivers

Professional drivers must meet more rigorous requirements. Those behind the wheel of lorries or buses must have visual acuity of at least 6/7.5 in their best eye and 6/60 in the other, measured on the Snellen scale.

They must also have a horizontal field of vision of at least 160 degrees, with no defects within the central 30 degrees. Corrective glasses can be worn provided their strength is no more than +8 dioptres, while there is no specific limit for contact lenses.

The eyesight check that can fail your driving test

Eyesight is also assessed during the practical driving test administered by the DVLA. At the beginning of the test, learners must read a number plate on a parked vehicle. If they are unable to, they automatically fail and the test will not proceed. The DVLA will be notified and their licence will be revoked.

To regain their licence they must first pass a DVSA eyesight test at a driving test centre before they can take another practical driving test.