Driving and Age
In the UK the assesment of vision for non-proffesional drivers is very basic.
When you take your driving test all you need to do is read a car number plate at 20.5 meters.
So you pass your driving test when you are 17, you then can happily drive until you are 70 (when you need to renew your licence) with no vision checks. Even then at 70 you only have to tick a box to say that you think your vision is good enough to drive.
If you have certain medical conditions such as glaucoma or have had a "stroke" you may be asked to take further tests to make sure your vision is adequate for driving. For most people, however, we can drive for many years by simply saying our vision is OK.
After some sad fatalities involving drivers with poor vision, the Government has decided to consult on vision checks for drivers over 70.
Why 70?
Vision can change at any age.
In the teens and 20's myopia (short-sightedness) can develop and gradually reduce our ability to see things far away.
In our 40's the eyes lose some ability to change focus quickly from far to near, and this can sometimes affect distance vision too.
Glaucoma often starts after the age of 40. It causes loss of our peripheral vision first. Because it is gradual and insidious, it can take up to 10 years before we notice problems. Someone we may still be able to read a car number plate at the required distance but have our field of view reduced to maybe 15 degrees, we may not notice cars at junctions or, worse, a child crossing the road.
After 60, cataracts become more common. The natural lens in the eye slowly goes hazy and can change colour, reducing vision and causing more debilitating glare when driving, particularly with low sun and bright car headlights at night.
Many eye conditions develop so slowly, we often do not notice the gradual reduction in visual performance.
Vision changes may occur more rapidly and be more common after 70, but eyes can change at any age.
Would it not make sense to ensure people are fit to drive by having compulsory vision checks more regularly for everyone?
Most European countries require evidence of adequare vision to maintain a driving licence; the interval varies from 10 to 15 years depending on the country.
Australia requires checks every 4 or 8 years.
In America the requirements vary from state to state but are similar to Europe.
The Department for Transport are consulting on mandatory sight testing for older drivers before the government will consider legislation.
If you would like to contribute to the consultation, this link will take you to the DOT website where you can read the documents and respond.
Note you've only got to 11th May 2026 to make any comments.
