eyecare >> driving & your eyesight

The minimum legal requirement for motorists is to be able to read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 meters (67 feet) and have a 120-degree wide field of view.

It is your responsibility to ensure you can pass this test at all times. If you fail to meet these visual standards you are breaking the law every time you start your engine. You can be fined up to £1000 and have two points added to your licence.

For drivers, the importance of having a regular eye examination (at least every two years) is obvious, particularly bearing in mind that people's eyesight changes over time.

Essential driving checks
These tips will help you to see the road ahead more clearly:

Ensure your windscreen is clean and scratch free
Your lights are clean and bulbs working at full capacity
Look slightly to the left of oncoming traffic at night to avoid glare

Drivers' eyewear
Some spectacles are better than others for driving, with rimless designs or those with thin rims being particularly suitable as they allow greater all-round vision than those with heavy frames. Spectacles with plastic lenses are lighter and safer. A reflection-free upgrade is available for most lenses at a reasonable cost when purchasing your spectacles, helping you to see more clearly and cut down on glare, especially when driving at night.

Sunglasses
Never replace your glasses with non-prescription sunglasses as you risk breaking the law. Alternatively, seek advice about prescription sunglasses (which need look no different to normal sunglasses) or clip-on lenses over your prescription lenses.