Eye care guide
Is your eyesight good enough to drive?
To drive a car you must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres, with glasses if you need them. Nobody checks this for you between driving tests and licence renewals; it is the driver’s responsibility every time they get behind the wheel. Here is what the rule means and how to be sure.
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The eyesight standard for cars and motorbikes
- Read a number plate at 20 metres. A plate made after 1 September 2001, in good light, wearing your glasses if you need them.
- Vision of at least 6/12 (decimal 0.5) with both eyes open. We measure this at your eye test.
- An adequate field of vision. How much you can see to the sides without moving your eyes. Some conditions, such as glaucoma, narrow it without you noticing.
Lorry and bus drivers have a higher standard. The full rules are on GOV.UK.
If you need glasses to drive
Wear them every time, including short trips. Keep a spare pair in the car if you can. If you wear varifocals, the distance part at the top is what you drive with; if the road looks less sharp than it used to, the prescription may have changed. Glare from headlights at night is worth mentioning at your eye test too.
Signs to get checked before you drive
- Road signs are harder to read until you are close
- Headlights dazzle you more than they used to
- You feel less confident driving at dusk or in rain
- You cannot remember your last eye test
Checking you meet the standard
A full eye test with us takes about 30 minutes. We tell you plainly whether you meet the driving standard with your current glasses and, if not, what would get you there. A private eye examination is £45, and it is free on the NHS if you qualify, including everyone aged 60 and over. See eye tests in Liverpool.
Common questions
Driving and eyesight, answered
What is the eyesight standard for driving a car?
You must be able to read a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres, with glasses if you need them. Your vision must also be at least 6/12 (decimal 0.5) using both eyes together, and your field of vision must be adequate.
How far away is 20 metres?
About five car lengths. Try it on a parked car: if you cannot read the plate comfortably, book an eye test before you drive.
Do I have to wear my glasses to drive?
If you need glasses to meet the standard, you must wear them every time you drive. Driving without them, if you cannot read a number plate at 20 metres, is against the law.
What happens if the police stop me and I fail the number plate test?
The police can ask you to read a number plate at the roadside. If you cannot, they can ask the DVLA to revoke your licence straight away, and you would need to prove you meet the standard to get it back.
Do I need to tell the DVLA about an eye condition?
For some conditions, yes, for example if a condition affects both eyes, or your only eye. The rules differ by condition, and you can be fined up to £1,000 for not telling the DVLA when you should. Check the condition on GOV.UK, and ask us if you are unsure.
Is there a compulsory eye test for older drivers?
When you renew your licence at 70, and every three years after, you declare that you meet the eyesight standard. It is up to you to make sure that is true, which is why regular eye tests matter, as often as your optometrist advises.
Does the standard apply on the driving test?
Yes. The examiner asks you to read a number plate at the start. If you cannot, the test ends there.
Can you check if my eyesight is good enough to drive?
Yes. A full eye test tells you whether you meet the driving standard with your current glasses, and what to do if you do not. It is free on the NHS if you qualify.
Rules from GOV.UK: driving eyesight rules. They apply in England, Scotland and Wales.
Not sure you would pass?
Book an eye test. 252 Park Road, Dingle, opposite Tesco Extra, free parking. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Or call 0151 726 0622
Written by Gavin Winstanley, who has been making eyewear on Park Road since 1998 and fits the varifocals himself. Last updated .