The driving eyesight rules in the UK are simple to state and surprisingly easy to get wrong. You must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away, wearing your glasses or contact lenses if you need them, and you must meet a minimum standard of vision as measured by an optician. If your eyesight falls below that standard, you must stop driving until it is corrected, and some eye conditions must be reported to DVLA.
This guide explains the number plate test, the formal standard, which conditions you must declare, how to prepare for an optician’s check and what penalties apply if you ignore the law. We are an independent information site, not DVLA or GOV.UK. The rules below follow the official GOV.UK guidance, and DVLA decides in each individual case.
The 20-metre number plate test explained
The best-known of the driving eyesight rules is the number plate test. You must be able to read a number plate on a vehicle from 20 metres (about 65 feet, or roughly five car lengths) in good daylight. If the plate is the older style with a different font, the distance is slightly different, but 20 metres is the figure to remember. You need to pass the test with your glasses or contact lenses on if you usually wear them.
The same test appears when you apply for your first licence and when a police officer or driving examiner has doubts. Examiners start every practical driving test with an eyesight check. If you cannot read the plate, the test ends there and you will lose your test fee.
You can try the test yourself in a car park. Pick a parked car, pace out 20 metres and see whether you can read the registration clearly without squinting. If you are not sure, book an eye test.
The minimum standard of vision for driving
As well as the number plate test, DVLA sets a formal standard for ordinary car and motorcycle licences. You need a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale, using both eyes together or only your good eye if you have one eye, and you need an adequate field of vision. An optician measures this in a normal eye test. If you wear glasses or contact lenses to reach that standard, you must wear them every time you drive, and your licence will show code 01 to remind you. Our guide to driving licence codes explains what that code means.
Higher standards apply to bus and lorry drivers. If you hold C1, C, D1 or D entitlements, check the stricter vision requirements before you renew. Our guide to HGV licence categories covers what is expected.
Which eye conditions must you tell DVLA about?
You must tell DVLA if you have any problem with your eyesight that affects both eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one working eye. Common examples include glaucoma, a detached retina, diabetic retinopathy, double vision, loss of part of your visual field and certain cataracts. You do not need to tell DVLA if you are simply short-sighted or long-sighted, if you are colour blind, or if you have had surgery to correct short sight and you can meet the eyesight standard.
There is an A to Z of medical conditions on GOV.UK that tells you whether your particular condition needs to be reported. Read it alongside our article on medical conditions you must declare to DVLA if you are unsure.
What happens when you tell DVLA about an eyesight problem?
DVLA reviews your case. It may ask for medical information from your doctor or optician, or it may refer you to an eye test with its contracted optician, which you do not pay for. The outcome can be one of four things: you keep your licence as it is, you get a licence for a shorter period (for example one to three years), DVLA adds conditions, or in the most serious cases the licence is refused or revoked until your vision improves. You are usually allowed to carry on driving while DVLA considers your case, provided your doctor or optician has said you can and you meet the eyesight standard.
Driving eyesight rules and your day-to-day habits
- Wear your glasses every time. If your licence shows code 01, driving without correction is an offence.
- Keep a spare pair in the car. If you break your glasses, you cannot continue to drive.
- Have eye tests every two years, or more often if your optician says so. Many problems are found by routine checks.
- Avoid driving in poor light if your night vision is weak. Night-time glare is a common issue as we age.
- Clean your windscreen and lenses. A dirty windscreen makes every eyesight problem worse.
Penalties for breaking the driving eyesight rules
Driving when your eyesight is below the standard is a serious offence. You can be fined up to £1,000, receive three penalty points and be prosecuted if you cause a collision. Your insurer may refuse to pay out if you were not meeting the legal standard when a claim arose. If you fail to tell DVLA about a relevant medical condition, you can face a separate fine of up to £1,000. A police officer who has doubts can ask you to read a plate at the roadside, and DVLA can then revoke your licence. Our article on penalty points and totting-up shows how quickly those points can stack up.
Eyesight rules for learner drivers and new applicants
You must meet the eyesight standard before you can hold a licence of any kind. When you apply for your first provisional licence, you declare that you can read a number plate from 20 metres. Our provisional licence application guide covers this stage. If you fail the plate test at the start of a practical driving test, you will lose the fee, so have your eyes checked before you book. Our guide to preparing for the driving test has more tips for test day.
Eyesight checks as you get older
Eyesight tends to change gradually, so many people only notice a problem when it becomes serious. From age 70, you make a declaration about your eyesight every time you renew your licence, which happens every three years. Read our guide to renewing your driving licence at 70 for details. Do not wait until renewal time to act: if your vision has changed, book an appointment now.
Practical steps if you fail the eyesight standard
- Stop driving immediately if you cannot meet the standard.
- Book an eye test and ask whether new glasses or lenses can fix the problem.
- If a medical condition is affecting both eyes, report it to DVLA online or by post.
- Keep any letters from your optician or consultant for your records.
- Do not start driving again until your optician or DVLA confirms you meet the standard.
Driving eyesight rules FAQs
How far must you be able to read a number plate to drive?
20 metres, with glasses or contact lenses if you normally wear them.
Do I have to tell DVLA I wear glasses?
No. Needing glasses or contact lenses to meet the standard does not need reporting. You just have to wear them whenever you drive.
Do I need to tell DVLA about colour blindness?
No. Colour blindness and short or long sight do not have to be reported.
What is the fine for driving with poor eyesight?
You can be fined up to £1,000 and receive three penalty points, and your insurance may be invalidated.
How often should I have an eye test?
At least every two years, or more often if your optician recommends it.
Driving eyesight rules in summary
The core driving eyesight rules are to read a number plate from 20 metres, meet the formal vision standard with glasses or lenses if needed, wear them every time you drive and tell DVLA about conditions that affect both eyes. Regular eye tests protect you and other road users. For official guidance, use the GOV.UK eyesight page, and for further questions see our UK driving licence FAQ.
Fast Driving Licence is an independent information service and is not affiliated with DVLA or GOV.UK. This article is general information, not medical advice. Rules were checked in October 2026.