Driving for Work: Mythbusters
52 common misconceptions – and the facts employers and drivers need to know
Myth 48: Wearing glasses or contacts means my vision is fine for driving
Corrective eyewear addresses many vision conditions, but it is not a guarantee that a driver meets the legal eyesight standard for driving.
The standard requires that a driver can read a number plate at 20 metres in good daylight.
Prescriptions change over time, and a driver whose eyewear is outdated may no longer meet the standard even with correction.
Additionally, certain conditions such as reduced peripheral vision, night vision problems, or conditions affecting depth perception may not be fully corrected by standard lenses.
Employers should encourage drivers to have regular eye tests and ensure licence conditions specifying corrective lenses are complied with.
Driver takeaway:
Wearing corrective lenses does not automatically mean you meet the driving eyesight standard – prescriptions change and some conditions are not fully corrected.
Have a professional eye test at least every two years and always drive with up-to-date correction.
Manager takeaway:
Encourage all drivers to have regular eye tests and include an eyesight declaration in your driver fitness checks. Where a driver’s licence specifies a corrective lens condition, verify compliance. Deteriorating uncorrected vision is a hidden risk that no licence check will reveal.
