Motorists with glasses risk £1,000 fine if they break DVLA rule

Drivers could be hit with a hefty fine and get three penalty points on their licence if they fail to follow a DVLA rule regarding glasses

Motorists who wear prescription glasses could face a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on their licence if they fail to comply with a crucial DVLA regulation. In the event of an accident where the driver is found to be at fault for not wearing their prescribed glasses while driving, they risk being penalised,

In addition to fines and penalty points, drivers may also have their car insurance policy rendered invalid. Individuals with short-sightedness or certain other eye conditions are required to wear glasses while driving.

As per DVLA regulations, drivers "must wear glasses or contact lenses every time they drive if they need them to meet the 'standards of vision for driving'".

It is also compulsory to notify the DVLA of any eyesight issues affecting both eyes or the remaining eye if only one is present, as reported by ChronicleLive. The regulations state that drivers must be able to read a car number plate manufactured after September 1, 2001, from a distance of 20 metres, with glasses or contact lenses if necessary.

Furthermore, drivers must have a sufficient field of vision, and opticians can provide more information and conduct a test, reports The Mirror.

During the practical driving test, candidates are required to accurately read a number plate on a parked vehicle at the outset. Failure to do so will result in failing the driving test, and the test will not proceed.

The DVLA will be informed, and the driver's licence will be revoked. When it's time to update your driving licence, the DVLA mandates an eyesight check administered by the DVSA, which you'll attend at a specified driving test centre.

Please note that even after clearing this hurdle, passing the standard DVSA eyesight examination remains a prerequisite for tackling the actual driving test.

The DVLA permits individuals to operate a vehicle with vision in only one eye, provided they possess a complete "field of vision" in the unaffected eye. The official line from them reads: "If you have total loss of sight in one eye, you must not have any problem with the field of vision in your other eye. If you have any doubt about whether you can meet the relevant standard, get advice from your GP, optician or eye specialist."