Driving and sight loss factsheet - RNIB
Driving and sight loss
This factsheet is available in large print, braille and on audio CD by calling our Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Introduction
If you are having problems with your sight and wondering if you will still be able to drive, this factsheet explains what you need to do and what your options are. If you do have to give up driving, there are still plenty of ways for you to get about and you may be able to claim financial help for these.
This factsheet focuses on holders of licences for cars and motorcycles; the rules and requirements are different for bus and lorry drivers. If you live in Great Britain, contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for more information about the rules regarding licences for lorries and buses. If you live in Northern Ireland, contact the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). The contact details for both organisations are at the end of this factsheet. For simplicity, we refer to just the DVLA in the text of this factsheet but the rules are essentially the same for the DVA in Northern Ireland.
First steps
The first thing you should do is talk to your ophthalmologist (eye specialist). Your ophthalmologist can measure your level of sight and give you an indication of whether you can drive or not. The second step is to contact the DVLA.
When do I have to tell the DVLA about my eye condition?
You must tell the DVLA if you have or develop a problem with your eyesight that affects both your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye.
This doesn’t include being short or long sighted or colour blind. You also don’t need to advise of any surgery to correct short sightedness if you can meet the eyesight standards.
You can find out more about the eye conditions you need to declare by searching the DVLA’s A to Z of medical conditions .
What are the basic eyesight requirements for driving?
There are three:
The “number plate test”. In good light and with your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them, you must be able to read a number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres.
With your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them, your visual acuity must be 6/12 (0.5) or better using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, using that eye. “6/12” is a measurement of your vision on the sight test chart (Snellen scale) and means you can see from six metres away what someone with standard vision can see at 12 metres. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will be able to confirm if you can achieve this.
You must have a good all-round field of vision so that you are aware of approaching vehicles and other hazards. Your ophthalmologist can explain more about this.
What if I have only lost sight in one eye?
For complete loss of vision in one eye – also known as Monocular vision (cases where there is any light perception in the affected eye are not considered monocular), the driver:
• must meet the same visual acuity and visual field standards as binocular drivers
• may drive only after clinical advice of successful adaptation to the condition.
Only those monocular people who fail to meet these requirements are required to notify the DVLA.
You should definitely let the DVLA know if you:
only have one eye and develop a condition in that eye
or experience a total loss of vision (that is, if you have no perception of light at all) in one eye.
Because the DVLA considers every case individually, we recommend that you notify the DVLA even if you do not experience total loss of vision in one eye.
How do I tell the DVLA about my eye condition and what happens after?
You will need to complete a form, most likely a V1, which contains a medical questionnaire. This will enable the DVLA to find out more about your condition and the level of sight you have. You may also need to provide your consent for a DVLA medical adviser to get medical information from your doctor or specialist, should they need to. You could also be asked to take a driving assessment, eye test or driving test.
The DVLA will normally notify you of a decision within 6 weeks. They will contact you if it is likely to take longer, or if they need further information from you, your doctor, specialist or someone else.
What can the DVLA decide to do?
There are a number of things that the DVLA can do after a medical review, including letting you keep your licence or issuing you with a new one. If they issue you with a new one they may limit it for a set period of time, usually one, two or three years, after which they will carry out another review.
The DVLA could also decide that, based on the evidence they have, you are no longer medically fit to drive. If this is the case, the DVLA will take away your licence and explain why they have done this. You may not lose your licence forever, if your eye condition improves and the DVLA believes you are fit to drive again, they may re issue you with a licence. In this instance, the DVLA will explain how and when you can reapply.
If you have significant sight loss in both eyes you should be prepared that it is likely you will lose your licence. However, it is not the end of the story and you do have options.
I really need to keep driving and do not want to risk losing my licence
It is natural to be concerned at the prospect of losing your licence and not being able to drive again. You may feel like you are losing some of your independence. It can be particularly difficult if you are employed as a driver or someone relies on you to drive them about. You may even be tempted to hold back from letting the DVLA know about your condition.
Talk it through with your family and friends, and have a think about the other ways you could get around if you were unable to drive a car or motorcycle. There are some ideas in the “Other ways of getting around” section below. You can also call our Helpline and one of our advice service will talk things through with you in depth, including what it might mean for you if your job involves driving.
Ultimately, if you decide to keep driving without informing the DVLA, you could face some very serious consequences:
you will be breaking the law and could face a fine of up to £1,000
your insurance would not be valid if you were to have an accident
your sight loss could mean that you are a risk to yourself, other drivers, pedestrians and any loved ones that you are driving.
I disagree with the DVLA’s decision, what can I do?
You can write to the DVLA to appeal their decision, but you must be able to provide evidence that was not included in your original assessment. You also have the right to appeal to a Magistrates’ Court (Sheriff Court in Scotland) if the DVLA revoke your licence because of your sight loss; however, this process can be lengthy and may well be unsuccessful. It can also be expensive – particularly if you lose the case, as you would have to pay the costs.
Talk to your doctor or specialist to get some guidance on what grounds you have for appealing. If after this guidance, you decide you have strong enough reasons to proceed with an appeal, you should seek legal advice. This could be from a solicitor who specialises in such cases, your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Law Centre.
If, after both medical and legal advice, you still wish to appeal, let the DVLA know as soon as possible. Your solicitor will need to lodge a formal appeal with the Magistrates’ Court within six months. If you live in Scotland, you only have 21 days to lodge an appeal.
Other ways of getting around
You may not be able to go exactly when and where you want to without your car or motorcycle, but there are still plenty of ways to travel and you may be able to travel at a reduced price or even free of charge.
You could share trips with friends, family or work colleagues.
If you need to visit the hospital or clinic, you may be able to take advantage of the hospital’s Patient Transport Service that can pick you up and return you to your home.
For short door-to-door trips, you could book a taxi.
Look into local dial a ride services, which are useful for medical appointments and shopping trips
Travel concessions if your sight loss is not registered with your local authority
If you can, it is always worthwhile registering your sight loss with your local authority as it can enable you to claim a number of concessions – including travel concessions. But even if you are not yet registered or your sight hasn’t deteriorated enough for you to get your sight loss certified and then registered, you should still be entitled to travel concessions if you have been refused a driving licence or have had your licence revoked on medical grounds.
If you live in England and Wales, contact your local authority to apply for free travel on local bus routes
If you live in Scotland, contact your local authority to apply for a National Entitlement Card that grants you free bus travel
If you live in Northern Ireland and are aged 16-59, you can apply for a Half Fare SmartPass that entitles you to half-priced travel on nearly all scheduled bus and rail services.
Travel concessions if you have registered your sight loss
You can access all of the public transport schemes mentioned below if you register your sight loss with your local authority, but it may depend on whether you are registered as severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted).
If you live in England or Wales, you are entitled to free travel on local bus routes. You may also be able to get significant discounts on your train fares (and for anyone escorting you).
If you live in Greater London, you may be entitled to a Freedom Pass that entitles you to free travel on all Underground, Overground, and bus and tram services.
Also in Greater London, there is a Taxicard scheme that, if you qualify, provides subsidised fares for the majority of journeys.
If you live in Scotland, you can get a National Entitlement card. This allows you to travel free in standard class on all rail, local bus, ferry and long distance services in Scotland, and the Glasgow underground, too.
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can get a SmartPass that entitles you to half-priced or even free travel on nearly all scheduled bus and rail services.
Regardless of where you live, you can also ask for assistance at railway stations to help you get about the station and get on and off your train.
Call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 for more details about these schemes and for more information about registering your sight loss.
Contacting the DVLA (England, Wales and Scotland)
Write to: Drivers Medical Enquires, DVLA, Swansea SA99 1TU
Call 0300 790 6806, Monday to Friday 8am to 5.30pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.
Contacting the DVA (Northern Ireland)
Write to: Drivers Medical Section, DVA, Castlerock Road, Waterside, Coleraine BT51 3TB
dva@infrastructure-.uk
Call 0300 200 7861, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
RNIB Helpline
RNIB Helpline is your direct line to the support and advice you need to remain independent. We’ll help you to find out what’s available in your area and beyond.
Whether you want to know more about your eye condition, buy a product from our shop, join our library, find out about possible benefit entitlements, be put in touch with a trained counsellor, or make a general enquiry about living with sight loss, we’re only a call away.
Telephone: 0303 123 9999
Email: helpline@.uk
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Standard rate call charges apply.
The factsheet gives general guidance only and is not an authoritative statement of the law.
Updated January 2019.
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