Key rule for anyone learning to drive – or risk | Tech News

Learner drivers throughout the UK have been warned that their check could possibly be cancelled earlier than it even begins. If you’re learning to drive, you might have considered trying to conduct an eyesight check properly earlier than you sit your sensible check or take your first lesson, in case you are involved. 

This is as a result of “at the start of your practical driving test, you have to correctly read a number plate on a parked vehicle”, the GOV.UK web site notes. It stresses: “If you can not, you’ll fail your driving check and the check won’t proceed. DVLA can be informed and your licence can be revoked.

“When you reapply for your driving licence, DVLA will ask you to have an eyesight check with DVSA. This can be at a driving check centre. If you’re profitable, you’ll nonetheless have to go the DVSA normal eyesight check at your subsequent sensible driving check.”

What are the visual standards for driving?

The visual standard for driving is the ability to read, with glasses or contact lenses if needed, a car number plate made after September 1, 2001 from 20 metres away. If you are unsure if you meet this, you can ask your opticians to book you in for a test.

You should be able to:

1. read a number plate from 20 metres away
2. have no double vision
3. have a normal field of vision in at least one eye (your optician can test this)

The GOV.UK warns drivers: “If you’re not sure in case you meet the visible requirements for driving, it is best to get advice out of your GP, optician or an eye specialist.”

Tell DVLA

The gov.uk web site states that in case you have any situations that have an effect on your driving, you should inform the DVLA. It explains: “You might be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t inform DVLA about a medical situation that impacts your driving.” Not only this, but a driver may be prosecuted if they are involved in an accident as a result.

The eye conditions you must tell DVLA about are:

1. blepharospasm
2. diabetic retinopathy (with laser treatment)
3. diplopia (double vision)
4. glaucoma
5. nyctalopia (night blindness)
6. retinitis pigmentosa

You must tell DVLA if any of the following apply:

• your eye condition affects both eyes
• your eye condition affects one eye – but you only have vision in that eye
• you have retinitis pigmentosa that affects one or both eyes
• a GP, optician or eye specialist has said you should not drive
• you do not meet the visual standards for driving

To tell the DVLA about any issues with your eyes, you should report your eye condition online as soon as possible. You can report your condition online here. If you have a condition in one eye and another condition affecting your other eye, you need to fill in and send form V1 to DVLA. The address is on the form. You can also use form V1 if you cannot use the online service.

If you report a condition that affects your vision, the “DVLA could refer you for an eyesight check with their contracted optician.”

It is confirmed: “You should not have to pay for the check.” Once this test is completed, the DVLA will look at “all medical proof supplied as half of a driving licence utility” which includes the result of the eyesight test.

You can also choose to get your test done elsewhere, as long as it includes an ‘Esterman visual test’. However, it is warned that the “DVLA don’t guarantee they are going to settle for an eyesight check carried out by different opticians” and you will have to pay for the test yourself.

If you have a bus, coach or lorry licence, there are more conditions you need to report right here.