Driving and Vision

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Driving Standards in the UK

What Standards of vision is needed for driving in the UK?

You must be able to do the following:

If you are a car drivers (Group 1), 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 to pass their driving test.

If you are a Lorry or Bus driver (Group 2), you must meet more stringent eyesight requirements. This includes a medical and vision check when you first apply for your bus or lorry licence. It is repeated every five years from the age 45 and every year from age 60.

You must be able to do the following, which your optometrist will complete on your application form:

Read the 6/12 line of letters on a Snellen chart (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye. Your optometrist will advise you if:

  • You meet this standard
  • You must wear glasses or contact lenses to meet this standard
  • You were not able to meet the standard (even with glasses or contact lenses). You should tell the DVLA.

You must have an adequate field of vision. The DVLA can arrange a test for this at an accredited centre if you sight test suggests that there may be a problem with your peripheral vision.

  • There is no declared history of an eye injury or medical condition which may affect your binocular field of vision (central or peripheral)
  • There is a declared history of an eye injury or medical condition which may affect your binocular field of vision (central or peripheral). You should tell the DVLA who will arrange a field of vision test.

Medical Conditions

You must tell the DVLA about certain eye or general medical conditions. You will find a full list of conditions here .

The most common conditions (but not the only ones) affecting vision are age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. 

If you are a car driver (group 1), you must tell the DVLA if you have a medical condition affecting both eyes, including different conditions in each eye by reporting it online or by filling in form V1.

If you are a lorry or bus driver (group 2), you must tell the DVLA if you have a medical condition affecting either eye by filling in form V1V

To ensure you vision is fit to drive, book an appointment today for a FREE NHS eye exam, where we will test you eye sight with a Snellen chart. This will ensure that if you have any issues, they are found and you have appropriate prescription to see clearly.

See more at Driving and Your Vision leaflet.