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Chronicle Live
National
James Rodger & Sonia Sharma

Warning issued to drivers over major change to DVLA rule coming within weeks

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will be bringing in changes to a driving rule "in the coming weeks".

The DVLA is set to update its guidance in relation to its list of notifiable eye conditions, drivers are being warned. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) previously raised concerns over the current list.

The AOP said the list could apply to almost every driver who received a sight test, reports Birmingham Live. Adam Sampson, chief executive for the AOP, said: "We’ve continued to have an open dialogue with the DVLA on this important issue to work towards a pragmatic solution for our members, patients and the DVLA.

Read More: Full list of the medical conditions that must be reported to the DVLA - or risk a £1,000 fine

"The extent of the original list really would have been problematic for so many, so we’re incredibly pleased to see that the DVLA have listened to the advice of the sector. The move is sure to remove an unnecessary administrative burden for practitioners but also alleviate worry for many patients.”

The Association of Optometrists website says new guidance is "due to be published in the coming weeks". And according to a Government website: "You must tell DVLA if you’ve got any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye.

"This does not include being short or long sighted or colour blind. You also do not need to say if you’ve had surgery to correct short sightedness and can meet the eyesight standards."

You must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres, the Government says. You must also meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye.

You must also have an adequate field of vision - your optician can tell you about this and do a test.

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