Information from the Vision Standards Sub-Committee

New visual standards for drivers recently reviewed by the DVLA from 8 March 2013.

College Statement Regarding Changes to Vision Standards For Driving Introduced in May 2012

There has been a period of confusion and uncertainty about how the recent European regulations on driving and vision will be incorporated into UK law.  The College has been aware that information on this website related to vision and driving is overdue for an update, but has been awaiting decisions from the Department for Transport concerning vision standards before doing so. The DVLA website has recently been updated to clarify the recent changes, regarding vision and driving. Please read the full College statement published 26 July 2012.

Response to the DVLA Consultation on Vision, Epilepsy and Diabetes December 2011

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists notes the proposed changes to the vision standards applied to drivers required by the European Directive of 2009(Annex III to Directive 91/439/EEC and 2006/126/EC) and welcomes the clarification afforded by recent documents (received 221 November 2011) from the DVLA which correct unfortunate errors in the initial consultation papers. In particular the College notes that the current number-plate test carried out at 20m will be used as an initial screening test, but that the definitive visual acuity standard will become decimal 0.5 (6/12). The College also notes that in exceptional circumstances where other visual functions are normal, the visual acuity standard may be lowered.

Several College members are committee members on the Secretary of State for Transport’s honorary medical advisory panel on driving and visual disorders *, and the deliberations of this committee are in the public domain on the DVLA website.

Mr Andrew Elliott, Vision Standards, RCOphth, and Panel member*

December 2011

College Statement on vision standards for driving

The College's Vision Standards Panel has issued a statement on behalf of the College relating to visual standards for driving (August 2011).

Occupational Visual Standards

Many occupations require people to have particular levels of vision to be able to operate effectively and safely. This document provides advice for ophthalmologists and patients on visual standards for pilots, air traffic control officers, non-pilot flight crew, electrical engineers, fire officer, police officers, persons involved in non-destructive testing, motor sport, London Underground employees, rail workers, prison officers, people working in the offshore oil and gas industry, lifeboat crew members, seafarers and coastguards.

Occupational Visual Standards 2010 (201.78Kb)

Is stereopsis essential to be a competent ophthalmic surgeon?

A literature review by Andrew Elliott (reviewed September 2008)