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Q919: What are the eyesight requirements to drive?

Answer

CARS

  • Distance – the legal requirement is that you must be able to read in good daylight, with the aid of corrective lenses if worn, a motor vehicle number plate of the prescribed size at a distance of 20.0 metres or 12 metres for category K vehicles (mowing machines or pedestrian-controlled vehicles). The prescribed size is letters 79 mm high and 50 mm wide. You must also not have been told by a doctor or optician that your eyesight is currently worse than 6/12 (decimal 0.5) on the Snellen scale, using both eyes or one eye if you have sight in one eye only - you may use glasses or contact lenses. If there is any doubt about this you should speak to your doctor or optician.
  • Field of vision - this must also be of a satisfactory standard, your optician can explain about this and carry out a test.

LORRIES/BUSES

  • Distance – if you drive a lorry or bus you must have a visual acuity of at least 0.8 (6/7.5) measured on the Snellen scale in your best eye and at least 0.1 (6/60) on the Snellen scale in the other eye. This standard can be achieved using glasses with a corrective power not more than (+) 8 dioptres or contact lenses. There's no specific limit for the corrective power of contact lenses.
  • Field of vision – you must have a horizontal visual field of at least 160 degrees, the extension should be 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.
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A disabled parking badge (otherwise known as a Blue Badge) is intended for on-street parking only. Off-street car parks, such as those provided by shopping centres, hospitals or supermarkets are covered by separate rules.

 

There are on-street parking concessions available to you as a Blue Badge holder. However, you must always check signs to see what the rules are when parking, as some time limits may apply in certain areas. The link below explains about the use of Blue Badges:

 

The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

If you wish to challenge the ticket, you need to write to the address on it stating your reasons as to why you think the ticket should be cancelled - if it concerns a disabled parking permit you should include a photocopy of it.

 

The link below explains how to challenge a parking ticket:

 

Parking fines and penalty charge notices: challenging a ticket

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The exemptions to wearing a seatbelt are:

  • a person who has a medical certificate, which states that on medical grounds it is not advisable for them to wear a seatbelt (including for pregnancy);
  • drivers of vehicles performing manoeuvres which include reversing (three-point turn). This includes a qualified driver supervising a learner driver performing manoeuvres including reversing;
  • the driver of or a passenger in a goods vehicle on a journey not exceeding 50 metres undertaken for delivering or collecting anything;
  • a disabled person who is wearing a disabled person's belt;
  • a person driving/riding in a vehicle for fire brigade or police purposes or for carrying a person in lawful custody including the detained person himself;
  • the driver of a licensed taxi while being used for seeking hire, or answering a call for hire, or carrying a passenger for hire;
  • a private hire vehicle while it is being used to carry a passenger for hire;
  • a person driving a vehicle used under a trade licence whilst investigating or fixing a mechanical fault with the vehicle;
  • a person involved in a procession organised by or on behalf of the Crown or which is commonly or customarily held, or a procession which a notice under section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986 has been issued;
  • a person conducting a test of competence to drive and the wearing of a seatbelt would endanger himself or any other person;
  • a person driving a vehicle if the driver's seat is not provided with an adult belt;
  • a person riding in the front of a vehicle if no adult belt is available for them in the front of the vehicle;
  • a person riding in the rear of a vehicle if no adult belt is available for them in the rear of the vehicle;
  • a person riding in a small or large bus which is being used to provide a local service in a built-up area (where the entire route consists of restricted roads);
  • a person riding in a small or large bus which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of standing passengers and on which the operator permits standing; or
  • a person riding in an ambulance while the person is providing medical attention or treatment to a patient which due to its nature or the medical situation of the patient cannot be delayed.

Failing to wear a seat belt outside any of these exemptions is an offence.

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Answer

A number of vehicles are exempt from the requirement to pay tax - the main ones are:

  • Vehicles used by someone who is disabled
  • Electrically assisted pedal cycles
  • Vehicles going to/from a pre-arranged MOT - see Q360
  • Police, fire and ambulance vehicles
  • Mobility scooters/invalid carriages
  • Historic vehicles - vehicles constructed 40 or more years ago
  • Electric vehicles
  • Mowing machines
  • Steam-powered vehicles
  • Vehicles used for agriculture, horticulture and forestry
  • Gritters and snowploughs

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Unless you have a disabled parking permit (see related question for full details of disabled parking scheme) you are not permitted to park on double yellow lines at any time, the restrictions apply 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year. There are a very few exceptions to this and there will be signs to indicate times/dates where it may be permitted.

You could face a fine if you park illegally or you could even have your car towed away.

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Yellow lines are placed on the road because if vehicles were permitted to park there it would cause an obstruction of some sort so by ignoring the single yellow lines and parking there you are putting yourself and other motorists and vehicles at danger.

There are restrictions on each specific sign that will identify the times when you cannot park there, generally 0800hrs -1800hrs but check the sign prior to parking.

You could face a fine if you park illegally or you could even have your car towed away.

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Question

Q919: What are the eyesight requirements to drive?

Answer

CARS

  • Distance – the legal requirement is that you must be able to read in good daylight, with the aid of corrective lenses if worn, a motor vehicle number plate of the prescribed size at a distance of 20.0 metres or 12 metres for category K vehicles (mowing machines or pedestrian-controlled vehicles). The prescribed size is letters 79 mm high and 50 mm wide. You must also not have been told by a doctor or optician that your eyesight is currently worse than 6/12 (decimal 0.5) on the Snellen scale, using both eyes or one eye if you have sight in one eye only - you may use glasses or contact lenses. If there is any doubt about this you should speak to your doctor or optician.
  • Field of vision - this must also be of a satisfactory standard, your optician can explain about this and carry out a test.

LORRIES/BUSES

  • Distance – if you drive a lorry or bus you must have a visual acuity of at least 0.8 (6/7.5) measured on the Snellen scale in your best eye and at least 0.1 (6/60) on the Snellen scale in the other eye. This standard can be achieved using glasses with a corrective power not more than (+) 8 dioptres or contact lenses. There's no specific limit for the corrective power of contact lenses.
  • Field of vision – you must have a horizontal visual field of at least 160 degrees, the extension should be 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.
 
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