If you are having problems with your sight and wondering if you will still be able to drive a car or ride a motorcycle, this page explains what you need to do and what your options are. If you do have to give up driving, there are still plenty of ways for you to get about and you may receive financial help to do this.
Talk to your eye specialist about your sight
The first thing you should do is talk to your ophthalmologist (eye specialist). Your ophthalmologist can measure your level of sight and let you know whether this means you can drive or not. The second step is to contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
What do I have to tell the DVLA?
You must tell the DVLA about any past or current condition:
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affecting both your eyes. This does include things like double vision and involuntary blinking or closure of your eyes, but does not include colour blindness, short sight or long sight.
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that gives you a significant loss to your field of vision (how much you can see around you). This is particularly likely to apply to you if you have severe glaucoma or retinitis pigmentosa.
The DVLA will want to find out more about your eye condition and if you can meet the basic eyesight requirements that you have to fulfil to be able to drive. Our factsheet explains more about these.
Should I tell the DVLA if I have lost sight in one eye?
You should definitely let the DVLA know if you:
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only have one eye and develop a condition in that
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or experience a total loss of vision (that is, if you have no perception of light at all) in one eye.
However, because the DVLA considers every case individually, we recommend that you notify the DVLA even if you do not experience total loss of vision in one eye.
In general, the DVLA will allow you to drive when it is satisfied that you:
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have sufficient sight in your other eye (including a normal field of vision)
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and have adapted to the loss of sight in the affected eye.
What can the DVLA decide to do?
After gathering what medical evidence they need, the DVLA can decide to do a number of different things. This includes letting you keep your licence or issuing you with a new one that is limited for a set period of time before they carry out another review.
The DVLA could also decide that, based on the evidence they have, you are no longer medically fit to drive. If this is the case, the DVLA will take away your licence and explain why they have done this. You may not lose your licence forever; you may be able to get your licence back if your condition improves and the DVLA believes you are fit to drive again. In this instance, the DVLA will explain when you can reapply again.
Unfortunately, if you have a serious sight problem, it is very likely that you will lose your licence: "Registration for sight impairment or severe sight impairment will normally be regarded as incompatible with holding a driving licence" ("At a glance guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive" DVLA, 2010). This is not guaranteed, however, and is not the end of the story.
I really need to keep driving and do not want to risk losing my licence
It is natural to be concerned at the prospect of losing your licence and not being able to drive again. It may feel like you would lose some of your independence and it can be particularly difficult if you are employed as a driver or someone relies on you to drive them about. You may even be tempted to hold back from letting the DVLA know about your condition.
Talk it through with your family and friends, and have a think about ways to travel without a car or motorcycle. If you call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999, our advice workers can talk things through with you in depth, including what this might mean for you if your job involves driving.
Ultimately, if you decide to keep driving and not inform the DVLA, you could face some very serious consequences:
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you will be breaking the law and could face a fine of up to £1,000
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your insurance would not be valid if you were to have an accident
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your sight loss could mean that you are a risk to yourself, other drivers, pedestrians and any loved ones that you are driving.
Can I appeal if the DVLA takes away my licence because of my sight problem?
Yes, you have the right to appeal to a Magistrates' Court (Sheriff Court in Scotland); however, this process can be lengthy and may well be unsuccessful. It can also be expensive - particularly if you lose the case, as you would have to pay the costs.
Talk to your doctor or specialist to get some guidance on what grounds you have for appealing. If they believe you have grounds for appealing, you should then get legal advice - perhaps from a solicitor who specialises in such cases, your local Citizens Advice Bureau or a Law Centre.
If, after this medical and legal advice, you still want to appeal, you should let the DVLA know as soon as possible. Your solicitor should lodge a formal appeal with the Magistrates' Court within six months. If you live in Scotland, you have just 21 days to lodge an appeal.
Other ways of getting around if you are blind or partially sighted
You may not be able to go exactly when and where you want to without your car, but there are still plenty of ways to get around. You may be able to get cheaper travel or even travel free of charge by bus, taxi or train. There are a number of concessionary travel schemes across the UK to take advantage of and most need you to register your sight loss with your local authority.
Call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 for more details about these schemes and for more information about registering your sight loss.
Further information
Read more about your options if you are a driver with sight loss by downloading our factsheet:
We also have a free guide for safe and independent travel, "On the move", that you may find it useful to read, as well as other travel publications.
How to contact the DVLA
Call the DVLA on 0300 790 6801, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8.30pm and Saturday, 8am to 5.30pm.