UK laws on vision requirements should require all motorists to prove their sight meets legal standards every 10 years.

8 in 10 optometrists want a full sight test to be a requirement for new drivers

So says the Association of Optometrists (AOP) as it warns that 30% of current road users doubt whether their vision is adequate yet continue to drive.

Highlighting that UK laws on vision requirements for driving are amongst the most lax in Europe – motorists are currently required to read a number plate once as part of an initial driving test – the AOP says that motorists may continue to drive with no further checks for the rest of their life.

Yet the majority (91%) of optometrists believe that the current sight requirements for a driving licence are insufficient and more than one in three optometrists have seen patients in the last month, who continue to drive with vision below the legal standard against advice.

And an additional public poll shows that 30% of current road users have doubted whether their vision is adequate, yet continued to drive.

Previous research carried out by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare found 44% of employers surveyed said they concerned that some employees may have eyesight that is not adequate for driving.

More information on the survey is available here.