Legal Eyesight Requirements
Discussion
When taking the Driving Test, I understand that you should wear any glasses prescribed... especially when you are expected to prove that your eyesight is sufficient to drive safely on the road.
However, when I took my test, the assessment seemed a little slapdash - I was merely asked to read a numberplate of a vehicle parked down the street outside of the test centre.
I could easily have passed that vehicle earlier in the day.. or might even have arrived at the test centre in it!
I have astigmatism in one eye, which means certain characters are easier to read than others, due to the plane being at about 40°
Zeros and 1s are easy - D, E, G, 5, 6, 9 etc. present more of a problem... and while my glasses correct it to an extent, the resulting image is a compromise.
The worst typestyle for me is the LED array as used on Highway signs, where the letters are broken into dots of bright light, and the characters are themselves are a compromise in shape and depending on the number of LEDs in the array, affecting the definition.
I am now finding that my eyes are deteriorating more quickly - so my question is, am I obligated to have my eyes tested more often, and glasses changed more frequently to match the changes?
I can still see people, cyclists, hazards, vehicles etc., and road markings well enough to not affect my driving, it is only numberplates and some instructional signs that MIGHT cause difficulty.
If I WAS concerned in any deterioration in my eyesight, who should be approached? The optician, my GP or Driving Standards Agency?
There is a helpful article about astigmatism on Wikipedia if you are having trouble grasping the concept.
However, when I took my test, the assessment seemed a little slapdash - I was merely asked to read a numberplate of a vehicle parked down the street outside of the test centre.
I could easily have passed that vehicle earlier in the day.. or might even have arrived at the test centre in it!
I have astigmatism in one eye, which means certain characters are easier to read than others, due to the plane being at about 40°
Zeros and 1s are easy - D, E, G, 5, 6, 9 etc. present more of a problem... and while my glasses correct it to an extent, the resulting image is a compromise.
The worst typestyle for me is the LED array as used on Highway signs, where the letters are broken into dots of bright light, and the characters are themselves are a compromise in shape and depending on the number of LEDs in the array, affecting the definition.
I am now finding that my eyes are deteriorating more quickly - so my question is, am I obligated to have my eyes tested more often, and glasses changed more frequently to match the changes?
I can still see people, cyclists, hazards, vehicles etc., and road markings well enough to not affect my driving, it is only numberplates and some instructional signs that MIGHT cause difficulty.
If I WAS concerned in any deterioration in my eyesight, who should be approached? The optician, my GP or Driving Standards Agency?
There is a helpful article about astigmatism on Wikipedia if you are having trouble grasping the concept.
Ekona said:
DVLA 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.
So simple question, can you still do that? Ignoring any other different signage types for now.
I can when I get a pair of new glasses. My point is that the law makes no mention of the characters I would be forced to read - in a years time I MIGHT be able to read it, or I might not - there seems to be no guide as to who determines this. Even I would not necessarily notice until I encounter a character I cannot read.So simple question, can you still do that? Ignoring any other different signage types for now.
With so many elderly drivers on the road, it would seem to me that the eyesight assessment needs to be made more frequent for those affected, and not dependent on their own impromptu self assessment.
Ekona said:
DVLA 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.
So simple question, can you still do that? Ignoring any other different signage types for now.
I can pass that test (in fact my optician said that I was just ok for driving), however I still pick up my first set of specs this week. So simple question, can you still do that? Ignoring any other different signage types for now.
Mill Wheel said:
When taking the Driving Test, I understand that you should wear any glasses prescribed... especially when you are expected to prove that your eyesight is sufficient to drive safely on the road.
Not at all.If you need glasses to meet the prescribed standard then you need to wear them while driving, but if you can meet the standard without them you are perfectly legal to drive without them. Not sensible, but legal.
If your opto says you are good enough, you are good enough. The test is very easy. A relative of mine has a vision disorder and they were allowed to carry on driving by doctors and opticians long after I thought that they were unfit.
I had a head injury some years ago, with injury to my cranial nerves that meant I saw double for 18 months. This was partially fixed by temporary lenses but my eyesight was still poor. I asked the doctor at the hospital if I was fit to drive and I was told "It depends on how you feel..." As a result I am convinced that the doctors are VERY reluctant to declare someone unfit. I suspect that this is because they then may be asked to declare them fit in the future if their condition improves. In my case I waited 6 months or so and then only drove in good conditions and good light. I could afford to do this because as soon as I'd been sick for a couple of months my c*** of an employer had dropped me like a hot brick. It was also summer.
The test is black and white. If you can read that plate at that distance, you pass. After that it's up to you as to whether YOU think that you can drive.
I had a head injury some years ago, with injury to my cranial nerves that meant I saw double for 18 months. This was partially fixed by temporary lenses but my eyesight was still poor. I asked the doctor at the hospital if I was fit to drive and I was told "It depends on how you feel..." As a result I am convinced that the doctors are VERY reluctant to declare someone unfit. I suspect that this is because they then may be asked to declare them fit in the future if their condition improves. In my case I waited 6 months or so and then only drove in good conditions and good light. I could afford to do this because as soon as I'd been sick for a couple of months my c*** of an employer had dropped me like a hot brick. It was also summer.
The test is black and white. If you can read that plate at that distance, you pass. After that it's up to you as to whether YOU think that you can drive.
Mill Wheel said:
Ekona said:
DVLA 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.
So simple question, can you still do that? Ignoring any other different signage types for now.
I can when I get a pair of new glasses. My point is that the law makes no mention of the characters I would be forced to read - in a years time I MIGHT be able to read it, or I might not - there seems to be no guide as to who determines this. Even I would not necessarily notice until I encounter a character I cannot read.So simple question, can you still do that? Ignoring any other different signage types for now.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visual-disorders-asses...
And that's an "at any point in time" test - yes, it's self-assessed. Right up until the point it ceases to be self-assessed, and comes to the attention of a man in a stripy Volvo.
This was just a few days ago - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wale...
...and there have been plenty of other similar cases. Less than two months ago - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-39...
Mill Wheel said:
With so many elderly drivers on the road, it would seem to me that the eyesight assessment needs to be made more frequent for those affected, and not dependent on their own impromptu self assessment.
Perhaps you're right.The problem seems to me to be more about people who know there's a problem, but think that they're fine to drive, and deny the reality. People asking things like...
Somebody random with eyesight probems said:
I am now finding that my eyes are deteriorating more quickly - so my question is, am I obligated to have my eyes tested more often, and glasses changed more frequently to match the changes?
It's a very simple answer - it's the driver's legal responsibility to make sure his eyesight is up to scratch EVERY TIME he's behind the wheel. If that means more frequent tests, and more frequent glasses - then that means more frequent tests and glasses.battered said:
After that it's up to you as to whether YOU think that you can drive.
That is what worries me... I am conscientious and try and ensure I am fit to drive at all times I am on the road, but I see many other drivers who clearly are unable to see what is obvious.I live in a moderately rural area with poor public transport, where the elderly often rely on driving more than they should, and they seem to be allowed far too much leeway on their driving standards.
One elderly person I know broke his glasses in a fall, but instead of getting them replaced, reverted to wearing his old ones!
And they wonder why elderly drivers pull out on other vehicles.
Mill Wheel said:
I live in a moderately rural area with poor public transport, where the elderly often rely on driving more than they should, and they seem to be allowed far too much leeway on their driving standards.
One elderly person I know broke his glasses in a fall, but instead of getting them replaced, reverted to wearing his old ones!
And they wonder why elderly drivers pull out on other vehicles.
The problem isn't one of legislation. It's the perennial one of enforcement. It's illegal, but who's stopping them?One elderly person I know broke his glasses in a fall, but instead of getting them replaced, reverted to wearing his old ones!
And they wonder why elderly drivers pull out on other vehicles.
How, short of some kind of compulsory automated eyetest before the car will start, will you ever enforce people deciding that their old glasses are just fine...?
I had a detached retina in one eye which I (ahem) left for rather too long and have greatly dimished eyesight in this eye. Glasses will not correct it but my other eye is very good. When I got a pair of glasses after the incident and realised that one eye was not up to scratch I phoned the DVLA medical helpline to ask what I should do. Their response was to ask about the other eye, and when I told them that this was fine they said that they didn't know why I was ringing them, one eye is fine.
strattonkillick said:
I had a detached retina in one eye which I (ahem) left for rather too long and have greatly dimished eyesight in this eye. Glasses will not correct it but my other eye is very good. When I got a pair of glasses after the incident and realised that one eye was not up to scratch I phoned the DVLA medical helpline to ask what I should do. Their response was to ask about the other eye, and when I told them that this was fine they said that they didn't know why I was ringing them, one eye is fine.
Weirdly same here, I thought it was a weird infection, lying face down for 3 weeks didn't do much!! If the other eye goes so does my license but until then 1 eye is fine!!joshcowin said:
strattonkillick said:
I had a detached retina in one eye which I (ahem) left for rather too long and have greatly dimished eyesight in this eye. Glasses will not correct it but my other eye is very good. When I got a pair of glasses after the incident and realised that one eye was not up to scratch I phoned the DVLA medical helpline to ask what I should do. Their response was to ask about the other eye, and when I told them that this was fine they said that they didn't know why I was ringing them, one eye is fine.
Weirdly same here, I thought it was a weird infection, lying face down for 3 weeks didn't do much!! If the other eye goes so does my license but until then 1 eye is fine!!I had plenty of warning signs about my eye and ignored them all; I could kick myself for being so stupid but day to day I don't notice it.
Mill Wheel said:
That is what worries me... I am conscientious and try and ensure I am fit to drive at all times I am on the road, but I see many other drivers who clearly are unable to see what is obvious.
I live in a moderately rural area with poor public transport, where the elderly often rely on driving more than they should, and they seem to be allowed far too much leeway on their driving standards.
One elderly person I know broke his glasses in a fall, but instead of getting them replaced, reverted to wearing his old ones!
And they wonder why elderly drivers pull out on other vehicles.
That is the law - unfortunately, self declaration - there is a letter from a local optician in the Telegraph newspaper today on the very subject.I live in a moderately rural area with poor public transport, where the elderly often rely on driving more than they should, and they seem to be allowed far too much leeway on their driving standards.
One elderly person I know broke his glasses in a fall, but instead of getting them replaced, reverted to wearing his old ones!
And they wonder why elderly drivers pull out on other vehicles.
Drop us a line, you are welcome to call in, maybe we could help. !
My eye test at Boots this afternoon showed that I do not need new spectacles - come back next year!
Chatting to the young tester - I mentioned that I did a Rospa 3 year retest - conversation got on to IAM - he is interested, so I gave him some details if he wants to join the IAM for starters.
Got on the Park and Ride bus feeling quite chuffed - bus was very busy - young girl got up and gave me her seat...
Is there a word for feeling dechuffed?
Should she go to Specsavers?
BOF
Chatting to the young tester - I mentioned that I did a Rospa 3 year retest - conversation got on to IAM - he is interested, so I gave him some details if he wants to join the IAM for starters.
Got on the Park and Ride bus feeling quite chuffed - bus was very busy - young girl got up and gave me her seat...
Is there a word for feeling dechuffed?
Should she go to Specsavers?
BOF
On one of the police programs an older gent had managed to prang his car and the traffic officer did a field sight test that the guy failed and could only pass it at half the distance .
Another one was caught driving without his corrective spectacles,he couldn't even read his speedo.
My licences indicate that I require to have spectacles .
Another one was caught driving without his corrective spectacles,he couldn't even read his speedo.
My licences indicate that I require to have spectacles .
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