Driving eyesight requirements in the UK

The DVLA is the governmental body that issues driving licences. They also set the legal standards for efficient eyesight while driving a vehicle. According to the current driving eyesight rules in place by the DVLA, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be able to read a car registration plate from a minimum of 20 metres away (the type found on cars from September 2001 onwards)

  • Have a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale

  • Have an adequate field of vision (the ability to see hazards in your peripheral vision)

All of these standards can be met with or without the aid of glasses or contacts, and using both eyes, or one eye only.

Lorry and bus driver eyesight requirements

The minimum standards are higher for lorry and bus drivers. They need to meet the following standards of vision:

  • Have a minimum visual acuity of 0.8 (6/7.5) in their best eye and at least 0.1 (6/60) in the other

  • Have a minimum uninterrupted horizontal field of 160º (with a minimum extension of 70º for left and right and 30º up and down)

  • Use of standard glasses must have a maximum corrective power of +8 dioptres (there is no limit for contact lenses)

Other things to note

  • An optician can carry out tests that examine all three of the DVLA’s eyesight rules

  • When renewing their licence, drivers aged 70 or over need to declare that their eyesight meets the minimum legal standards. Anyone aged over 60 can get an NHS eye test free of charge

  • Learner drivers will be asked to read a car registration plate at the start of your practical driving test

The dangers of driving with poor eyesight

So why does the failure to meet these minimum eyesight standards pose such a risk to those on the road? What are the dangers? Here are three key reasons why getting a regular eye test is so important for road safety.

1. Lack of hazard perception

Visual observation is key when driving. Without good eyesight, there’s an increased risk of failing to spot hazards and therefore reacting quickly enough to them. This is especially true for those with bad peripheral vision – you might miss pedestrians crossing the street or cars and cyclists turning onto the road.

2. Further impaired visibility at night

Poor eyesight becomes even worse at night. Even drivers with good eyesight have impaired vision once the sun goes down. In the darkness, drivers with poor eyesight might strain harder and must concentrate more to see road signs and may also experience blurred vision and glare from headlights.

3. Dangers in road surfaces

It’s not just pedestrians and other road uses that pose a danger - other hazards on the road include obstructing objects and damage to road quality such as debris, black ice, uneven surfaces, and potholes. In fact, a total of 1.5 million potholes were reported to local UK councils between April 2018 and June 2021.

Don’t break the law

Data collected from The College of Optometrists shows that nearly half of UK drivers purposefully choose to not wear their glasses or contact lenses because they either feel like they don’t need them, can’t find them, or simply forget. That’s nearly half of drivers with poor eyesight putting themselves and others in serious danger.

With these concerning figures in mind, we want to make you aware that doing so is illegal. Anyone caught driving without their prescription glasses or contact lenses faces a hefty fine of £1,000, three penalty points on their licence, and potential disqualification from driving.

You can also be fined up to £1,000 if you do not inform the DVLA about a certain medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely. You could even face criminal charges if you are involved in a serious accident as a result of the impairment.

UV and Eye Health


 UV and eye health 

Most people are aware of how ultraviolet (UV) light, for example from the sun, can damage their skin. But many people don’t realise that UV light can also damage their eyes. We now know that being exposed to too much UV light increases your chances of developing eye problems so it’s important to protect your eyes from the sun, even on cloudy days. 

The most common eye conditions linked to UV light are listed below. 

Cataracts 

When the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy, it is called a cataract. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 20% of cataracts are related to exposure to UV light. You can have surgery to remove a cataract if it is affecting your vision. 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 

Although AMD mainly affects older people, studies have shown that this condition may develop sooner in people who’ve been more exposed to UV light. 

AMD affects the central part of your vision and is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK. It can make it difficult or impossible to do everyday things, such as reading or even recognising faces. There are two types of AMD – wet and dry. Wet AMD can often be treated with injections in the eye if it is caught early enough, but there is currently very little effective treatment for dry AMD. 

Pterygium 

A pterygium is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that forms on the outer tissues of the eye. Studies have shown that exposure to UV light increases your risk of a pterygium. Surfers are particularly at risk of developing pterygiums due to the long periods of time they spend in the sea, as they are exposed to UV light direct from the sun and also reflected off the sea. Pterygiums are also seen a lot in people who live in sunny climates or those who work outdoors. 

Pinguecula 

A pinguecula is a white or yellow bump on the white of the eye (sclera). In most cases, a pinguecula causes only mild symptoms but can sometimes cause dry eye, which can make your eyes red and uncomfortable. 

Photokeratitis 

Photokeratitis is caused by short-term but high exposure to UV light, for example, when it is reflected off snow and in higher altitudes where the atmosphere is thinner. The eye becomes sunburnt from this light, causing sore and painful eyes, blurry vision and even temporary sight loss. 

How to protect your eyes 

Wear sunglasses which carry the CE quality mark. This is important even if you are wearing contact lenses with a UV filter, because the sunglasses will help protect the skin around your eyes, as well as the eye itself. It is especially important for children to wear sunglasses because their pupils are bigger than adults’, making the risk of sun damage much higher. 

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, check that the lenses include a UV filter, for everyday protection. 

Choose sunglasses that sit closer to the eye and wrap around the sides of your face, blocking out more light. 

Wear a wide-brimmed sun hat for more protection. 

Never look at the sun directly – even if it’s just for a few seconds. 


Our ‘60 second advice: sunglasses’ video includes top tips on protecting your eyes against sun damage and choosing the best sunglasses. Visit website at www.aop.org.uk/sunglassesadvice to watch the video. 

You can find more information on eye health on this  website at www.aop.org.uk/patients.