The Current Rules for Drivers’ Eyesight
Key Statistics at a Glance
- Legal Requirement: UK drivers must be able to read a number plate at 20 metres (with glasses or contacts if needed) to pass their driving test.
- Ongoing Testing: There is no legal requirement for regular eyesight tests after passing the driving test, unless a problem is reported or identified.
- Police Testing: In 2024, Police Forces in England and Wales tested 3,010 drivers’ eyesight at the roadside.
- Defective Eyesight: Around 720,000 people in Britain are estimated to be driving with defective eyesight (2024 study, Sussex Safer Roads Partnership).
- Age-Related Vision: Conditions like presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close objects from age 40), cataracts, and macular degeneration increase with age.
- RoSPA Advice: Drivers over 40 should have an eye test every two years.
- Expert Recommendation: Road safety experts and RoSPA call for mandatory eye tests every 10 years for all drivers.
- Potential Benefits: Regular eye tests could reduce accidents, raise awareness, and help detect other health issues (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure).
- Barriers: Concerns include cost, administrative complexity, and possible public resistance.
- Current NHS Guidance: Have an eye test at least every two years; more often if over 40 or if you notice vision changes.
- Driver Responsibility: All drivers must wear corrective lenses if needed and inform the DVLA of any vision problems affecting both eyes (or the only eye if monocular).
These stats highlight the importance of regular eye tests for drivers and the potential road safety benefits of making them mandatory every decade.
In the UK, drivers must meet certain eyesight standards in order to legally drive. If you require glasses or contact lenses when you drive, you must wear them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’. It is important to inform the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) if you have any problems with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye.
According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), all drivers need to be able to read a car number plate from a distance of 20 metres, (in 2024, Police Forces across England and Wales tested 3,010 drivers using this method). This test can be done with glasses or contact lenses if needed. Drivers must also meet minimum standards for visual acuity (sharpness of vision) and peripheral vision (how much you can see to the side without moving your head). If you are not sure about any of the above, it’s essential that you visit an optician for an eye test.
These checks are only required when you first take your driving test, after that there are no legal requirements for drivers to have their eyes tested again unless they voluntarily report a problem or are told to do so by a doctor, or the DVLA. Individuals could drive for a long period of time without ever checking their eyesight, not knowing whether it still meets the legal standard.
The Risks of Driving with Poor Eyesight
A recent study in 2024 by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership [3] found that around 720,000 people in Britain are driving with defective eyesight. This is worrying because poor vision can make it harder to judge distances, see clearly in low light, or notice hazards in time to react. All of these factors increase the risk of accidents
The study also showed that many drivers don’t realise how important regular eye tests are – some people assume that their eyesight is fine because they haven’t noticed any changes, while others avoid getting tested because they think it’s too expensive or inconvenient. Unfortunately, this lack of awareness means that many preventable accidents happen on UK roads
How Age Affects Eyesight
As we get older, our eyesight naturally changes. For example:
- Presbyopia
A condition that makes it harder to focus on close objects, often starting around the age of 40 and continues to worsen until the age of 65. - Cataracts
A common condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, affecting quality of vision. - Macular degeneration
A condition that can cause blurred or lost vision in the central part of your retina.
These issues often develop slowly, so may go unnoticed until developed into something more serious. For a quick check if your eyesight has been affected by age take a look at for Common eyesight conditions that can affect drivers. If you have any of these eyesight symptoms visit an Optician or a Doctor as soon as possible. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advises that drivers over 40 should have an eye test every two years as they are more likely to experience these age-related problems.
Why experts are calling for mandatory eye tests every 10 years
To address the risks associated with poor eyesight, road safety experts are calling for mandatory eye tests every ten years for all drivers. This would ensure that everyone who drives has their vision checked regularly and meets the legal standards.
The idea is supported by organisations like RoSPA, which believes regular eye tests are crucial for keeping roads safe. They argue that introducing a decade-based testing system would help catch vision problems early and encourage drivers to take better care of their eyes.
The Benefits of Regular Eye Tests
Making regular eye tests mandatory could bring several benefits:
- Fewer Accidents: Detecting and treating vision problems early would reduce accidents caused by poor eyesight.
- Increased Awareness: A legal requirement for eye tests would remind people how important good vision is for safe driving.
- Better Health Outcomes: Regular check-ups could help identify other health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which can affect eyesight.
- Support for Older Drivers: Older motorists would be more likely to address age-related vision changes and adapt their driving habits if necessary.
Challenges in Implementing Mandatory Eye Tests
While mandatory eye tests sound like a good idea, there are some challenges to consider:
- Cost: Some people might worry about the expense of regular eye tests, especially if they don’t have symptoms.
- Administration: Setting up a system to track whether drivers have had their tests could be complicated.
- Public Resistance: Some drivers might see mandatory testing as unnecessary or an invasion of privacy.
To overcome these issues, experts suggest offering free or subsidised eye tests through partnerships with opticians or healthcare providers. Public awareness campaigns could also help explain why regular testing is important and how it benefits everyone on the road.
What Drivers Can Do Now
Even though regular eye tests aren’t yet mandatory in the UK, it’s still a good idea for drivers to take responsibility for their own eyesight. Here are some tips:
- Get Tested Regularly: The NHS recommends having an eye test at least every two years. If you’re over 40 or notice any changes in your vision, you should go more often.
- Wear Corrective Lenses: If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the legal standard, make sure you wear them every time you drive.
- Be Aware of Changes: Pay attention to signs that your eyesight might be getting worse, such as struggling to read road signs or seeing halos around lights at night.
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date with driving laws and guidelines about eyesight.
Conclusion
Good eyesight is essential for safe driving, yet many UK motorists may not realise their vision has deteriorated over time. With studies showing that hundreds of thousands of drivers have defective eyesight [4], it’s clear that action needs to be taken to improve road safety.
Introducing mandatory eye tests every ten years could be a simple but effective solution. It would ensure that all drivers meet minimum vision standards while raising awareness about the importance of regular check-ups. Although there are challenges to implementing such a policy, the potential benefits far outweigh the costs.
Until such measures are introduced, it’s up to individual drivers to take responsibility for their own vision health. By getting regular eye tests and addressing any problems early, we can all play a part in making Britain’s roads safer for everyone.