Eyesight Test
What is required to pass the eysight test ?Call 0800 6127677
Before the practical driving test, your driving examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a stationary vehicle.
The distance requirement for the eyesight test using old style number plates is 20.5 metres or 20 metres if the new-style number plate is used. New-style number plates are easily identifiable starting with two letters eg AB 51 ABC.
If you can't speak English or have difficulty reading, you may copy down what you see.
You can't read the first number plate.
If you can't read the first number plate correctly, you'll be asked to read a second number plate, if you can't read this number plate correctly, you'll be allowed to walk forward until you're just over the appropriate distance away.
If you still can't read the number plate correctly, the examiner will ask you to read a third number plate and will measure the precise distance from this number plate. The distance will be 20.5 metres if you're asked to read an old-style number plate and 20 metres if you're asked to read a new-style number plate.
If you can't read the third number plate correctly, and the examiner is satisfied that you don't meet the required eyesight standard, you will fail the driving test, and the practical test will not continue.
This test failure will be marked on the driving test report form (DL25) with a mark in the 'Item 1' box. Your interpretation of the number plate along with the correct one will be written on the back of the form along with the measured distance.
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).