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Driving
eyesight requirements
Before
you start to
learn to drive,
make sure you
are aware of
the eyesight
requirements.
If you need
glasses or contact
lenses to meet
the requirements
you must make
sure you wear
them every time
you drive.
Letting
DVLA know
about eyesight
conditions
When
applying
for your
driving
licence
from the
Driver and
Vehicle
Licensing
Agency (DVLA)
you should
let them
know if
you have:
- any
visual
condition
which
affects
both
eyes
(not
including
short
or
long
sight
or
colour
blindness)
- any
visual
condition
which
affects
your
sight,
(not
including
short
or
long
sight
or
colour
blindness),
for
example,
if
you
have
sight
in
one
eye
only
If
you have
had sight
correction
surgery
you should
declare
this when
you apply
for your
provisional
licence.
Eyesight
requirements
for the practical
driving test
Before
the practical
driving
test, your
driving
examiner
will ask
you to read
the number
plate on
a stationary
vehicle.
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The
distance requirement for the old-style number plate
is 20.5 metres. The distance requirement for the eyesight
test with the new-style number plate is 20 metres.
New-style number plates were introduced on 1 September
2001 and are easily identifiable because they start
with two letters ie AB51 ABC.
If
you can't speak English or have difficulty reading,
you may copy down what you see. If your answer is
incorrect, your examiner will measure the exact distance
and repeat the test.
If
you can read the number plate correctly you will be
allowed to proceed with your driving test.
What
happens if I can not read the first number plate?
If
you are unsuccessful on the first eyesight test, you
should be asked to read another number plate, and
if necessary be allowed to walk forward until you
are just over 20.5 metres away or 20 metres if it
is a new number plate.
What
happens if I can not read the second number plate?
If
you do not read the second plate correctly, the examiner must
use a tape measure to measure the exact distance from a third
number plate. This will be 20.5 metres if you are asked to
read an old-style number plate and 20 metres if you are asked
to read a new-style number plate. If you can not read the
number plate at this distance, and the examiner is satisfied
that you do not meet the required eyesight standard, you will
fail the driving test, and the practical test will not continue.
This
test failure will be marked on the driving test report form
(DL25) with a mark in the Item 1 box. Your interpretation
of the number plate along with the correct one will be written
on the back of the form along with the measured distance.
What
if I need glasses to pass the eyesight test?
If
you use glasses to read the number plate for the eyesight
test, you must wear them whenever you drive. If you take off
your glasses during the practical test, your test will not
continue. If you are unable to pass the eyesight requirement
because you have forgotten or broken your glasses, or brought
the wrong pair, you will not be allowed to take the practical
test. This will result in a test failure.
What
happens if I fail the eyesight test?
If
you fail your practical driving test on the eyesight requirement,
the examiner will send a form (D255) to DVLA notifying them
of the eyesight failure. DVLA will then ask DSA to conduct
a separate eyesight test for you at a test centre. If you
are successful at this separate eyesight test you will still
have to pass the standard eyesight test at your next practical
driving test.
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