Vision and driving

In order to pass the driving test, visual acuity should be at 6/10 level (Snellen) when corrected by glasses, contact lenses, etc., and have reasonable visual fields.

A person should be able to clearly see the letter on a car number plate (3.5 inches, or 79.4 mm high) with corrected vision (or normal vision) from 25 yards (20.5 metres). This is approximately equivalent to 6/10 (or 0.6 metric.)

Monocular (one- eyed) vision is allowed, provided the field is greater than 120 degrees.

A person is allowed to drive, with a colour defect, also with double vision, as long as the double vision can be corrected with prismatic spectacles or an eye patch on one eye worn, while driving. A monocular person can have a normal (Group 1) driving licence, provided the visual acuity requirement is met, and that there is one good normal field of vision.

The fact that a current driving licence is held points to the fact that DVLA requirements are likely to be met, but this cannot be assumed, as people do not always quickly inform the DVLA of changes to their circumstances.

If a person has had a stroke or other brain or ocular damage such that they are unaware of or ignore one part of their visual field or part of their body they must not drive.