DVLA '01' rule for drivers wearing glasses - when ignoring it could cost £1,000

DVLA '01' rule for drivers wearing glasses - when ignoring it could cost £1,000 Millions of people wear glasses to drive but there are rules in place that must be followed Figures show that approximately one in five motorists should wear glasses to drive to ensure they are safe on the road. Many of these will have only begun to have reduced vision after they passed their driving test as many people's eyesight deteriorates as they grow older. There is a code on a driving licence which shows if people must wear glasses to drive - 01 on the licence means the holder must use eyesight correction such as glasses or contact lenses. However, most people do not have this section ticked even if they do need help to see when they are behind the wheel. According to the government there are some times you must notify the DVLA if you need to wear spectacles and others when you do not need to. It advises: "You must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive if you need them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’." When to tell the DVLA There are a number of health conditions which motorists must notify the DVSA of, including several affecting vision. "You must tell DVLA if you’ve got any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye. This does not include being short or long sighted or colour blind. You also do not need to say if you’ve had surgery to correct short sightedness and can meet the eyesight standards." Eye conditions that mean you must notify DVLA GOV.CO.UK says: "You must tell DVLA if you have certain eye conditions." It adds the eye conditions you must tell DVLA about are: - blepharospasm - diabetic retinopathy (with laser treatment) - diplopia (double vision) - glaucoma - nyctalopia (night blindness) - retinitis pigmentosa You must tell DVLA if any of the following apply: - your eye condition affects both eyes - your eye condition affects one eye - but you only have vision in that eye - you have retinitis pigmentosa that affects one or both eyes - a GP, optician or eye specialist has said you should not drive - you do not meet the visual standards for driving Vision standards Drivers must also meet other standards when it comes to driving a car or van with impaired vision. According to GOV.CO.UK: "You must be able to read a number plate from 20 meters away (about the length of 5 parked cars). You can wear your glasses or contact lenses if you use them for driving. "You must also meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye. "You must also have an adequate field of vision - your optician can tell you about this and do a test." How to tell DVLA If you have one of these conditions, you should report your eye condition online. If you have a condition in one eye and another condition affecting your other eye, you need to fill in and send form V1 to DVLA. The address is on the form. You can also use form V1 if you cannot use the online service.