Two optical pressure groups are calling on the Government to introduce a more systematic and scientific method of assessing drivers’ vision.

The Optical Confederation and Eye Health Alliance have made the call following the meeting of EUROM 1, the European Federation of Optical Industry, which this month urged MEPs to give support for adequate regulations involving motorists’ eye examinations.

Successive European Directives on driving licences have introduced a number of measures to harmonise laws relating to the testing and licensing of drivers across Europe. They also set out minimum standards of physical and mental fitness to drive and the minimum age for being able to apply for a licence.

The basic requirements for eyesight were amended in 2009 and require that drivers meet minimum standards for visual acuity and visual fields.
The European Directive also stipulates that all applicants will ‘undergo an appropriate investigation’ to ensure that they have adequate visual acuity. The Optical Confederation is calling for the current system of vision screening for professional drivers to be extended to all drivers and to replace the number plate test. It is also working closely with the optical organisations across Europe to ensure Members of the European Parliament and the European Commission are aware of the UK position on improving the system for checking drivers’ eyesight.

A spokesperson for the Confederation said: “The number plate test is inadequate to assess a drivers’ vision for several reasons – it is outdated, it can be affected by environmental conditions on the day, it is inaccurate, has no scientific basis and it is not validated. This means that the results will not be consistent and cannot be repeated which makes it unfair to drivers.”

A spokesperson for the Eye Health Alliance said: “Not only is the number plate test ineffective and unfair but the current system places too much responsibility on the driver to self-report problems with their vision to the DVLA. Many drivers do not notice a gradual change in their eyesight and are therefore unaware that they fall below the legal eyesight requirement for driving."

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Peter Hutchinson
September 1st, 2010
The number plate test is an inaccurate, unrepeatable test carried out in non-standard conditions, in my opinion. The ability to just meet that standard suggests that the driver has less than 50% of normal visual acuity. I think that to say that this is acceptable, let alone safe, in modern driving conditions in UK is ludicrous. A common standard of visual acuity should be imposed throughout Europe and this should be established by scientific research based on the visual requirements for adequate response times for safe driving. I recommend that once a standard has been agreed drivers should be examined at least every three years by an optometrist who provides certification for the examination and the acuity. If optical aids are required to achieve the standard this should be noted on the certificate and the driver must wear the appliance whenever he/she is at the wheel. A spare pair of spectacles to the current prescription should be carried in the car together with a copy of the prescription. It should be made an offense not to meet these requirements.