Medical Conditions & Eyesight Rules

You MUST be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres (or 20.5 metres where the old style number plate is used). You must tell DVLA if you've got any problem with your eyesight that affects either eye. - [Rule 92](rule_92)

You must have an uninterrupted horizontal visual field of at least 160 degrees with an extension of at least 70 degrees left and right and 30 degrees up and down. No defects should be present within a radius of the central 30 degrees.

If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to meet the standards of vision for driving, you MUST wear them at all times while driving. You can reach this standard using glasses with a corrective power not more than (+) 8 dioptres, or with contact lenses. There is no specific limit for the corrective power of contact lenses. - [Rule 92](rule_92)

You must tell DVLA if you have a driving licence and you develop a 'notifiable' medical condition or disability, or a condition or disability has got worse since you got your licence. You could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely. You could also be prosecuted if you have an accident.

You must surrender your licence to DVLA if any of the following are true: your doctor tells you to stop driving for 3 months or more; your medical condition affects your ability to drive safely and lasts for 3 months or more; or you do not meet the required medical standards for safe driving because of your medical condition.

DVLA will assess your medical condition or disability and decide if: you need to get a new driving licence; you can have a shorter licence - for 1, 2, 3 or 5 years; you need to adapt your car by fitting special controls; or you must stop driving and give up your licence.

In England and Wales, you can appeal the decision by contacting your local magistrate's court within 6 months. You must tell DVLA in writing if you choose to appeal. In Scotland, appeal the decision by contacting your local sheriff's court within 21 days. You must also tell DVLA you're appealing within 21 days.

DVLA will send you a letter when your licence is taken away, or if your application for a driving licence is refused. The letter will tell you if there's a period of time you need to wait before getting a new licence. You can then reapply 8 weeks before the end of this period. Check with your doctor that you can meet the medical standards for driving before reapplying for your licence.

To reapply for a car or motorcycle licence, fill in the form for your medical condition and a D1 application form, and send them to DVLA. If you were applying for a bus, coach or lorry licence, you would fill in a D2 application form (and a D4 form if you're aged 45 to 65 and have not done so in the past 5 years).

The Highway Code strictly states that at night or in poor visibility, you do not use tinted glasses, lenses or visors if they restrict your vision. - [Rule 94](rule_94)

The Highway Code states that you must ensure your vision is clear at all times. Slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by bright sunlight. - [Rule 93](rule_93)

The DVLA has a strict A-Z list of medical conditions. Notifiable conditions that must be checked include sleep apnoea (excessive sleepiness), epilepsy, seizures, strokes, glaucoma, heart conditions (including pacemakers), and diabetes. You do not need to report being short or long sighted or colour blind, but you must meet the minimum eyesight standards.