Drivers can carry out a two-minute check to see if they are failing safety laws, and if they are, they may need to hand their licence over to the DVLA and stop driving. Motorists need to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away for their eyesight to be considered safe.
Many people haven't had their eyes tested for years and may be falling short of the required limit. Some drivers may be able to improve their vision with glasses or contacts, while others may have to stop driving. The check comes amid a fresh crackdown on over-70s who are set to face mandatory eyesight tests.
Nearly 4,000 licences revoked or refused last year
DVLA data showed that nearly 4,000 Brits had their driving licences revoked or refused last year after failing the number plate test. A new survey of UK drivers by MoneySuperMarket found that a quarter (26%) are currently overdue an eye test, or haven't had an eye test in the past two years, and one in seven have never been for an eye test appointment.
Ali Mearza, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at OCL Vision, which obtained the data, said: “Many people are unaware of this test, but it’s a great way to check if drivers meet the legal eyesight standard to drive.”
Why regular eye appointments are crucial
Mr Mearza added: “For many people, they don’t automatically notice their eyesight has gotten worse, as it can often be a gradual decline. But this goes to show why it’s so important to have regular eye appointments, especially when you reach 70, as you don’t want to find yourself suddenly struggling while on the road. For some a change in prescription could mean they pass the test and are able to drive safely again. For others, there may be a treatable underlying problem.”
Alicia Hempstead, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, says: "Section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 says that if a driver has a visual impairment, they must not get behind the wheel without the proper means to see clearly."
Legal and financial consequences of failing the test
Hempstead continued: “Drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20 meters away, the equivalent of around five parked cars. Breaking this rule could lead to a £1,000 fine, as well as three penalty points. Not only are there legal ramifications to not wearing glasses or contact lenses behind the wheel, but there are also financial ones too should you get into an accident, as your car insurance could be invalidated if you do not meet the standards of vision.”
Drivers who are unsure whether they meet the required standard can perform the number plate test at home or at a safe location, checking if they can read a standard number plate from 20 metres. If they cannot, they should arrange an eye test promptly and avoid driving until their vision is corrected or they have sought medical advice.
