Vision Standards For Vehicle Drivers

Private Motorists

The person should be able to read in good daylight (with the aid of glasses or contact lenses if worn)
a number plate at a distance of 20.5 metres containing letters and figures 79.4 mm high.

A driving license may not be granted to a person who suffers from some other disability likely to cause the driving of a vehicle to be a source of danger. The recommendations given include a horizontal visual field of not less than 120 degrees, no substantial binocular field loss especially in the lower quadrants, no diplopia, no marked degree of night vision defect. A monocular person may drive provided the visual acuity and visual field are adequate. An adaptation period may be required after the loss of an eye. The driver should report to the licensing centre if the above requirements can not be met.

Large Goods and Passenger Carrying Vehicles

The person should have a visual acuity (with glasses or contact lenses) of at least 6/9 in the better eye and 6/12 in the worst eye. The uncorrected vision in each eye should be 3/60 or better.

If the driver needs to wear glasses or contact lenses, the uncorrected acuity must be not less than 3/60 in each eye.

A spare pair of spectacles should be carried by those who have an uncorrected vision of. 6/18 or worse. Visual fields should be tested by the hand confrontation test, which should be full and show no contraction.

Any pathological field defects, insuperable diplopia or monocular vision (except for some renewals) should rule out the driving of large goods and passenger carrying vehicles.

The driver's license should be renewed at 45 or 5 years, which ever is the longer. From the age of 45 renewals are every 5 years and from the age of 65 they are annually.