Eye care guide
Glasses for night driving: what actually helps
What helps most is an up-to-date prescription with a good anti-reflective coating, clean lenses and a clean windscreen. Yellow “night driving” glasses do not help. If headlights dazzle you more than they used to, get your eyes checked first: new glare can be the first sign of a change in your eyes.
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What actually helps
- An up-to-date prescription. Even a small change makes lights smear and signs harder to read at night. See how often you should have an eye test.
- An anti-reflective coating. It stops headlights bouncing around inside your lenses. For people who drive a lot after dark we recommend a driving coating: Crizal Drive from Essilor or SeeCoat Next Drive from Nikon.
- Clean, unscratched lenses. Scratches scatter light into streaks and starbursts.
- A clean windscreen, inside and out. A film on the inside of the glass adds to glare from oncoming lights.
Why yellow glasses are not the answer
Yellow “night driving” glasses make the world look brighter, but they let less light into your eyes, not more. The College of Optometrists advises against them, because dark parts of the road look even darker. Any tint that cuts more than a quarter of the light is unsuitable for driving at dusk or at night.
When glare means something else
Glare and halos that are new or getting worse can be caused by an early cataract, astigmatism or dry eye. No coating fixes those, so book an eye test and we will tell you plainly what is going on. Halos around lights on their own are a reason to be checked.
Varifocals and night driving
You drive through the top of a varifocal. If the distance part feels narrow or blurred at night, the lens may have been measured or fitted wrongly. We measure every varifocal on the Essilor Visioffice X and Gavin fits them himself. See varifocal problems and which varifocal lens is right for you.
Transitions lenses are clear at night, so they are fine for night driving. In the day, Transitions XTRActive also darkens behind a windscreen, which helps with low winter sun.
Common questions
Night driving glasses, answered
What glasses are best for night driving?
Glasses with an up-to-date prescription and a good anti-reflective coating, kept clean and scratch-free. For people who drive a lot after dark we recommend a driving anti-reflective coating: Crizal Drive from Essilor or SeeCoat Next Drive from Nikon.
Do yellow night driving glasses work?
No. The College of Optometrists advises against yellow-tinted night driving glasses. They make things look brighter but actually let less light through, so dark parts of the road look darker. Any tint that cuts more than a quarter of the light is unsuitable for driving at dusk or at night.
Why do headlights dazzle me more than they used to?
Often it is an out-of-date prescription, scratched or smeared lenses, or a dirty windscreen. Sometimes it is an early cataract, astigmatism or dry eye. If glare is new or getting worse, book an eye test so we can find the cause.
What is a driving anti-reflective coating?
A lens coating tuned for driving. Nikon’s SeeCoat Next Drive shifts its remaining reflection away from the green light the eye is most sensitive to in the dark, which is why it shows an amber reflection. Essilor’s Crizal Drive is designed to cut reflections from headlights and street lights. Both also resist scratches, smudges and dust.
Will a coating get rid of halos around lights?
No coating can promise that. Halos around lights can be a sign of cataract or another eye condition, so they are a reason for an eye test rather than new lenses alone.
Can I wear Transitions lenses for night driving?
Yes. Transitions lenses are clear at night, so they are fine for night driving. In the day, Transitions GEN S stays mostly clear behind a windscreen, while Transitions XTRActive also darkens in the car, which helps with low sun.
Do I need separate glasses for driving?
Usually not. Most people drive in their everyday glasses or varifocals with the right coating. If you drive for a living or at night a lot, a dedicated pair can make sense, and we will tell you honestly if it would help.
Advice from the College of Optometrists. The legal standard for driving is on our driving eyesight rules guide.
Struggling with headlights?
Book an eye test and tell us about the glare. 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 .