Who's right? Licence question.
Discussion
Right,
Done my CBT today and passed, YAY! but f
ked up on a geared bike so completed on a auto scooter, BOO!
Anyway that's for another thread but when they were checking my licence they said there was no 01 code on my licence (says to plod or whomever that I have to wear glasses when driving/riding which I do). They ummed and arred for a bit but let me continue saying that when I do my Mod 1 + 2, the examiner might well take exemption to the omission and insist I do it without glasses! (Obviously an auto fail as it's a complete no go).
On checking the DVLA website and a very quick email to and fro with them, they confirm that it is not a legal requirement to notify them as long as your eye sight meets the correct standard.
Who is correct? I know the DVLA are somewhat questionable sometimes and the trainers and admin staff at the training centre were adamant they were right (not a fly by night outfit by any means - been around for years and generally highly thought of).
Done my CBT today and passed, YAY! but f
ked up on a geared bike so completed on a auto scooter, BOO!Anyway that's for another thread but when they were checking my licence they said there was no 01 code on my licence (says to plod or whomever that I have to wear glasses when driving/riding which I do). They ummed and arred for a bit but let me continue saying that when I do my Mod 1 + 2, the examiner might well take exemption to the omission and insist I do it without glasses! (Obviously an auto fail as it's a complete no go).
On checking the DVLA website and a very quick email to and fro with them, they confirm that it is not a legal requirement to notify them as long as your eye sight meets the correct standard.
Who is correct? I know the DVLA are somewhat questionable sometimes and the trainers and admin staff at the training centre were adamant they were right (not a fly by night outfit by any means - been around for years and generally highly thought of).
You got me thinking and I double checked mine, I do have the 01 code (I've had glasses since I was 2 so it bloody should do)
I know for a fact it is possible to get punished for not wearing glasses if you do have the code and you are also legally obliged to inform whatever acronym the DVLA call themselves now if it changes (for example laser surgery to no longer need specs)
https://www.commercialfleet.org/fleet-faq/what-are...
I know for a fact it is possible to get punished for not wearing glasses if you do have the code and you are also legally obliged to inform whatever acronym the DVLA call themselves now if it changes (for example laser surgery to no longer need specs)
https://www.commercialfleet.org/fleet-faq/what-are...
You must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive if you need them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’.
You must tell DVLA if you’ve got any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye.
This doesn’t include being short or long sighted or colour blind. You also don’t need to say if you’ve had surgery to correct short sightedness and can meet the eyesight standards.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules
My intepretation is you don't need to have glasses listed on your licence if you're short/long sighted - the listing on the licence is for other eyesight conditions. If you do need glasses to correct your vision, you had better mske sure you're wearing them whenever you're driving - if you got pulled over by the police and they did an eyesight check, I imagine you would get the book thrown at you if you had opted not to wear your glasses.
Also, gov.uk is always a great resource for checking questions like this, to get it from the horse's mouth
You must tell DVLA if you’ve got any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye.
This doesn’t include being short or long sighted or colour blind. You also don’t need to say if you’ve had surgery to correct short sightedness and can meet the eyesight standards.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules
My intepretation is you don't need to have glasses listed on your licence if you're short/long sighted - the listing on the licence is for other eyesight conditions. If you do need glasses to correct your vision, you had better mske sure you're wearing them whenever you're driving - if you got pulled over by the police and they did an eyesight check, I imagine you would get the book thrown at you if you had opted not to wear your glasses.
Also, gov.uk is always a great resource for checking questions like this, to get it from the horse's mouth
My understanding it if you have an 01 you must wear glasses when driving, regardless of whether you legally need glasses. I have glasses which help at night and detail at a distance, but not required for driving. When I sat my trailer test last year, the examiner told me if I used the glasses for the eyesight test, I would then get an 01 on my license, but if I could do it without, then I wouldn't get the code. Needless to say I read the plate no problem without glasses, but examiner told me if I wanted to wear them during the test it was up to me....!
If you have an 01 and get stopped without glasses, then you could be charged.
If you have an 01 and get stopped without glasses, then you could be charged.
It cannot be that simple.
Many eye conditions like Myopia for example can alleviate. Temporarily or otherwise. What then? You must wear glasses which now markedly impair your eyesight and get behind the wheel because of a number of you licence?
It seems to me, if you can demonstrate you can meet the minimum standard, number plate at X yards for example, the copper will ask you to get your licence updated, he really isn't going to waste time making an arse of himself in court.
If you don't meet the standard of course... Well you would deserve everything you get!
Many eye conditions like Myopia for example can alleviate. Temporarily or otherwise. What then? You must wear glasses which now markedly impair your eyesight and get behind the wheel because of a number of you licence?
It seems to me, if you can demonstrate you can meet the minimum standard, number plate at X yards for example, the copper will ask you to get your licence updated, he really isn't going to waste time making an arse of himself in court.
If you don't meet the standard of course... Well you would deserve everything you get!
Update.
Dvla will add/remove the 01 code if you send it back with a cover note with a 3 week turn around time. I suppose lots of people get laser eye surgery and whatnot so people’s eyesight can change enough to warrant changing their licences. I also imagine many people are driving/riding around who’ve had treatment but, like myself, had no idea about this 01 code. Get stopped by an arsey copper though...
Think I’ll just send mine back to get it added. I have to wear specs and the idea of eye surgery brings me out in cold sweats (absolutely no way I’m doing that <shiver>) despite the dvla basically saying they don’t give a st as long as you meet the relevant standards just to avoid any grief should I go ahead with the tests. Spoke again with the training school and they confirmed people had been failed over the licence code thing. I guess we have super critical examiners my way - bodes well, doesn’t it! 
Dvla will add/remove the 01 code if you send it back with a cover note with a 3 week turn around time. I suppose lots of people get laser eye surgery and whatnot so people’s eyesight can change enough to warrant changing their licences. I also imagine many people are driving/riding around who’ve had treatment but, like myself, had no idea about this 01 code. Get stopped by an arsey copper though...
Think I’ll just send mine back to get it added. I have to wear specs and the idea of eye surgery brings me out in cold sweats (absolutely no way I’m doing that <shiver>) despite the dvla basically saying they don’t give a s
t as long as you meet the relevant standards just to avoid any grief should I go ahead with the tests. Spoke again with the training school and they confirmed people had been failed over the licence code thing. I guess we have super critical examiners my way - bodes well, doesn’t it! Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff