Legal Requirements for eyesight in driving

Driving with poor eye sight is a criminal offence which could result in a fine. Although drivers have their vision checked when they have their driving test this is only a basic test to check how far you can see in the distance. Drivers are not legally required to have an eye test until they are 70 years old, although it is recommended that all drivers have an eye test at least every 2 years, even if you think your eye sight is normal.

All drivers must be able to read a number plate which is 20.5 metres in the distance. If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses you are allowed to wear them for the test and you must also wear them whenever you are driving. If you do not wear your glasses or contact lenses when driving you are breaking the law.

Normal person should be able to see a minimum of 23 meters. Maybe, it would seem slightly absurd to expect a 77 year old driver to see that far.

If one needs spectacles or “contact” lens to assist the person see thus far, it should be perfectly alright.

Another requirement with regards to eyesight is the ability to see at least 100 metres away. Again, glasses and contact lens come into play.

In reality a driver, irregardless of whatever age he may be, he “must be able” to see the traffic lights well. Being able to do the above would verify a driver’s capability to drive safely.

However, pertaining to eyesight, is the question of “astigmatism“. This weakness essentially is “light splitting” causing our vision to blur and thus become poor or “unclear”. This usually occurs when night driving.

In such cases, a driver suffering from “astigmatism”, is therefore advised against driving at night. But day driving would be still alright!

Before One can Drive………..

Letting the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency know about eyesight conditions

When applying for your driving licence you should let them know if you have:

• any visual condition which affects both eyes (not including short or long sight or colour blindness)
• any visual condition which affects your sight (not including short or long sight or colour blindness) eg if you have sight in one eye only

If you have had sight correction surgery you should declare this when you apply for your provisional licence.

Wearing glasses/corrective lenses to pass the eyesight test

If you can only read a number plate using glasses/corrective lenses for the eyesight test, the law requires you wear them whenever you are driving and throughout your test. You're not allowed to remove your glasses/corrective lenses when carrying out test manoeuvres (reversing etc).

If you used your glasses/corrective lenses to read the number plate and take off/out your glasses/corrective lenses during the practical test, your examiner will remind you the law requires you to wear them; if you refuse to wear them, the test will not continue.

If you have broken, forgotten or brought the wrong glasses, you should tell your examiner at the start of the test. If you don't tell the examiner and attempt and fail the eyesight test, your test will be recorded as a failure and the remainder of the test will not go ahead.

Reference:

http://driving-school.com.my/senior-drivers/maximum-driving-age-in-malaysia/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/LearningToDriveOrRide/DG_4022529

http://www.eyehelp.co.uk/DrivingAndEyesight.html