Driving Safely with Vision Problems

Good eyesight is essential for safe driving. If your vision changes or you develop an eye condition, you may need to stop driving temporarily and inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Understanding the legal eyesight requirements can help keep you and other road users safe.

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Your Legal Responsibilities

You must tell the DVLA if:

• You have a physical or mental condition that affects your ability to drive.
• You develop a condition that may affect your eyesight or driving in the future.

If you are unsure whether your condition should be reported, seek advice from your healthcare professional or the DVLA.

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Eyesight Requirements

To drive a car legally, you must be able to:

• Read a standard vehicle number plate from 20.5 metres (67 feet).
• Wear your glasses or contact lenses while driving if they are needed to meet this standard.

Drivers of larger vehicles, such as buses, minibuses and lorries, must meet higher eyesight standards.

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Visual Field

Your visual field is how far you can see around you while looking straight ahead.

Some eye conditions can reduce your field of vision, including:

• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Diabetic eye disease
• Stroke
• Migraine affecting vision

If your visual field may be affected, the DVLA may arrange a specialist visual field assessment.

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Double Vision (Diplopia)

If you develop double vision:

• Do not drive.
• Seek advice from an optometrist, eye specialist or orthoptist.
• Do not return to driving until your condition has been assessed and it is safe to do so.

Even if your double vision only occurs occasionally, you should not drive until you have received professional advice.

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Glare and Colour Vision

Glare

Glare may affect your ability to drive if you have:

• Cataracts
• Corneal problems
• Had laser or refractive eye surgery

If glare prevents you from reading a number plate at the required distance, you must inform the DVLA.

Tinted glasses should not be worn when driving at night unless they have been prescribed for a specific medical condition.

Colour Vision

Most colour vision deficiencies do not need to be reported to the DVLA and are not linked to an increased risk of road traffic accidents.

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Insurance

Failing to meet the legal eyesight requirements or failing to notify the DVLA of a relevant medical condition may invalidate your motor insurance.

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When to Seek Advice

Speak to your:

• GP
• Optometrist
• Eye doctor (ophthalmologist)
• Orthoptist

if you notice changes to your vision or are unsure whether it is safe for you to drive. If in doubt, do not drive until you have received professional advice.

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Further Information

This webpage provides a summary of the patient information leaflet. For more detailed guidance on eyesight standards, visual field testing and driving regulations, please download the full leaflet or speak to your healthcare professional.

Sitting Down

When sitting:

• Remove your arms from the crutch cuffs.
• Place the crutches into the ‘H’ position and hold them with one hand.
• Reach back for the chair with your free hand.
• Lower yourself slowly and in a controlled manner.