'voluntary' roadside eye sight tests?
Discussion
Cleveland Police Matrix Team officers will be conducting random roadside vision screening in the area over the coming weeks, as they raise awareness of the importance of meeting the legally required standard of eyesight for drivers.
Those drivers who fail to meet the required standards are not only breaking the law, but putting themselves and other road users at risk.
Drivers will be asked to take part in voluntary roadside screening, where they will need to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres; in daylight conditions, using a registration plate affixed to a vehicle at the correct measured distance, and wearing any eyesight correction (for example, spectacles) worn at the time of driving.
Under legislation known as Cassie’s Law, drivers who fail a roadside number plate test could have their licence revoked on the spot if a police officer deems them to be unsafe on the road. Other penalties include a possible fine or points endorsed on a licence.
The DVLA must also be notified of any eyesight conditions.
For more details on the legal eyesight conditions for all motorists, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules
Those drivers who fail to meet the required standards are not only breaking the law, but putting themselves and other road users at risk.
Drivers will be asked to take part in voluntary roadside screening, where they will need to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres; in daylight conditions, using a registration plate affixed to a vehicle at the correct measured distance, and wearing any eyesight correction (for example, spectacles) worn at the time of driving.
Under legislation known as Cassie’s Law, drivers who fail a roadside number plate test could have their licence revoked on the spot if a police officer deems them to be unsafe on the road. Other penalties include a possible fine or points endorsed on a licence.
The DVLA must also be notified of any eyesight conditions.
For more details on the legal eyesight conditions for all motorists, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules
Giantt said:
The DVLA must also be notified of any eyesight conditions.
Is this bit true? Do you have to tell the DVLA if you need to wear glasses for driving? Sounds like a good idea, but anyone who knows they are marginal will presumably refuse to take the test if it's really voluntary! Feels like it would be more effective if there was also an amnesty in place.
Whataguy said:
kambites said:
Is this bit true? Do you have to tell the DVLA if you need to wear glasses for driving?
Yes, your driving licence has a special code for vehicle types to say that you have to wear glasses when driving if you need to wear them.Whataguy said:
kambites said:
Is this bit true? Do you have to tell the DVLA if you need to wear glasses for driving?
Yes, your driving licence has a special code for vehicle types to say that you have to wear glasses when driving if you need to wear them.Mr Pointy said:
OK, post a link to the DVLA website where it says you need a "special code" on your licence if you are short sighted & need glasses. None of the millions of myopic drivers in this country have a "special code" on their licence.
Section 12 of the photo card. Code 01 relates to eyesight needing correction (glasses).With link (where are my glasses
)https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes
Chris
ScoobyChris said:
Mr Pointy said:
OK, post a link to the DVLA website where it says you need a "special code" on your licence if you are short sighted & need glasses. None of the millions of myopic drivers in this country have a "special code" on their licence.
Section 12 of the photo card. Code 01 relates to eyesight needing correction (glasses).With link (where are my glasses
)https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes
Chris
Whataguy said:
kambites said:
Is this bit true? Do you have to tell the DVLA if you need to wear glasses for driving?
Yes, your driving licence has a special code for vehicle types to say that you have to wear glasses when driving if you need to wear them.From the DVLA
"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.
Check if you need to tell DVLA about your eyesight problem by searching the A to Z of medical conditions that could affect your driving."
ScoobyChris said:
Mr Pointy said:
OK, post a link to the DVLA website where it says you need a "special code" on your licence if you are short sighted & need glasses. None of the millions of myopic drivers in this country have a "special code" on their licence.
Section 12 of the photo card. Code 01 relates to eyesight needing correction (glasses).With link (where are my glasses
)https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes
Chris
Edited by martinbiz on Tuesday 7th May 17:02
martinbiz said:
No you don't, you have totally misundersood the requirements
From the DVLA
"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.
Check if you need to tell DVLA about your eyesight problem by searching the A to Z of medical conditions that could affect your driving."
I think there's cross purposes here. I don't believe you immediately have to declare a change in eyesight for medical assessment of your licence, but when you renew your licence should be printed with the eyesight correction code. From the DVLA
"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.
Check if you need to tell DVLA about your eyesight problem by searching the A to Z of medical conditions that could affect your driving."
In the meantime, if a qualified person has said you need to wear correction then your insurance will require you too, and it'll be investigated in a major incident.
From reading around, it looks like you have to tell the DLVA if you need vision correction when you obtain your licence. You do not need to tell them if your vision degrades after you obtain your licence. Obviously that has no bearing on the legality of driving with sub-standard eyesight.
Evanivitch said:
martinbiz said:
No you don't, you have totally misundersood the requirements
From the DVLA
"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.
Check if you need to tell DVLA about your eyesight problem by searching the A to Z of medical conditions that could affect your driving."
I think there's cross purposes here. I don't believe you immediately have to declare a change in eyesight for medical assessment of your licence, but when you renew your licence should be printed with the eyesight correction code. From the DVLA
"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.
Check if you need to tell DVLA about your eyesight problem by searching the A to Z of medical conditions that could affect your driving."
In the meantime, if a qualified person has said you need to wear correction then your insurance will require you too, and it'll be investigated in a major incident.
Evanivitch said:
martinbiz said:
Sorry chap that's wrong as well, have you ever seen an INS Co specically ask if you need to wear glasses
Why would they? It doesn't affect your premium. Do they ask if you have an MOT too?ScoobyChris said:
martinbiz said:
Wrong. Check the link in the OP
Why? I was replying to the comment that there is no special code to indicate you need corrective lenses to drive on your driving licence. Clearly there is Edited by martinbiz on Tuesday 7th May 17:02
Chris
Edited by martinbiz on Tuesday 7th May 17:34
I have just renewed my licence. Well, I returned the papers they sent me in January, for an April renewal. Received the licence last week (I continued to drive under RTAct section 88). My old licence had code 01 need corrective lenses. However, I had an eye test in January, and the optician said I pass the eyesight test without glasses. I wear glasses at night, for anti glare and correction, but I am better without them during the day.
I think the roadside eyesight test is a very crude test, and is a bit single criteria based. It makes no cognisance of perception, judgement of position and speed, or of anticipation.
Insurance companies do ask if you have informed the DVLA about any relevant medical condition - not sure if eyesight comes under that.
I think the roadside eyesight test is a very crude test, and is a bit single criteria based. It makes no cognisance of perception, judgement of position and speed, or of anticipation.
Insurance companies do ask if you have informed the DVLA about any relevant medical condition - not sure if eyesight comes under that.
martinbiz said:
Evanivitch said:
martinbiz said:
Sorry chap that's wrong as well, have you ever seen an INS Co specically ask if you need to wear glasses
Why would they? It doesn't affect your premium. Do they ask if you have an MOT too?If you need to wear eyesight correction and you're found not to be wearing correction you'll be in very hot water, with insurance and legally.
Insurance requires the vehicle and the person to be fit to drive. That's fundamental to all car insurance. Everything else is associated risk.
Pica-Pica said:
I have just renewed my licence. Well, I returned the papers they sent me in January, for an April renewal. Received the licence last week (I continued to drive under RTAct section 88). My old licence had code 01 need corrective lenses. However, I had an eye test in January, and the optician said I pass the eyesight test without glasses. I wear glasses at night, for anti glare and correction, but I am better without them during the day.
I think the roadside eyesight test is a very crude test, and is a bit single criteria based. It makes no cognisance of perception, judgement of position and speed, or of anticipation.
Insurance companies do ask if you have informed the DVLA about any relevant medical condition - not sure if eyesight comes under that.
Yes correct there are reportable medical conditions, corrected eyesight isn't one of themI think the roadside eyesight test is a very crude test, and is a bit single criteria based. It makes no cognisance of perception, judgement of position and speed, or of anticipation.
Insurance companies do ask if you have informed the DVLA about any relevant medical condition - not sure if eyesight comes under that.
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