Driving licence eye test?

Harry Bloomfield · Friday at 12:41 PM

No body seems to know very much about this yet, the over 65 eye test thingummy, not even the opticians. When does it start, has anyone done it, how are the doing it? I had an eye test yesterday, no problems, but nowt to do with the driving eye test. I took the opportunity to ask them, and they were just guessing that you would get a letter, when your licence needs renewing. All very confused... Anyone actually know?

Wayners · Friday at 5:17 PM

I think it's self-declaration. You tick a box on application form. Can you see ok it askes. You tick yeah. Off you go.. That's what a family member did

MNW67 · Friday at 5:35 PM

At the moment, I think the government are just consulting on whether to introduce a mandatory three yearly eye test for drivers, starting at age 70.

Diver Fred · Friday at 5:41 PM

Well my opticians, a small family business, tells me at end of my last 3 eye tests/examination tells me my eyes are good to drive with; he also says if he didn't do he would request my licence and car keys as he wouldn't allow me to drive any more. Certainly gives me the impression he has a 'route' direct into the DVLA similar to a doctors.

Harry Bloomfield · Friday at 5:47 PM

Wayners said:
I think it's self-declaration. You tick a box on application form. Can you see ok it askes. You tick yeah. Off you go.. That's what a family member did

That is what it was, in regard to fitness to drive, but now they are suggested to have introduced a more formal eye test for those of a certain age. It's just that no one seems to know much about it.

Wayners · Friday at 6:36 PM

Came in around August 2025. It's not compulsory yet although there is a tick on the application form.
My mother in law ticked the box but she can't see. She won't wear her glasses as she says she can see fine but she can't, so I don't see what improvements can be made. They will be taking pictures of people next to see if they have glasses on when driving.

MNW67 · Friday at 6:41 PM

Harry Bloomfield said:
That is what it was, in regard to fitness to drive, but now they are suggested to have introduced a more formal eye test for those of a certain age. It's just that no one seems to know much about it.

It seems to still be out for consultation until 11 May this year:

Introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers

Seeks views on the proposals to introduce mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers in Great Britain.

www.gov.uk

Harry Bloomfield · Friday at 6:47 PM

Wayners said:
Came in around August 2025. It's not compulsory yet although there is a tick on the application form.
My mother in law ticked the box but she can't see. She won't wear her glasses as she says she can see fine but she can't, so I don't see what improvements can be made. They will be taking pictures of people next to see if they have glasses on when driving.

It looks as if you are correct, it's still a ticky box declaration at the moment.... https://www.gov.uk/government/consu...-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers

That's changed since I last looked, when it suggested they were bringing it in.

Brigadier · Friday at 10:57 PM

Read the small print

morqthana · 2026-02-28T00:56:14+0000

Diver Fred said:
he also says if he didn't do he would request my licence and car keys as he wouldn't allow me to drive any more.

Bllx.

Doug99 · 2026-02-28T13:43:35+0000

At the moment, the application form only asks whether the driver can read a car number plate correctly from a distance of 20m. Glasses may be worn. The driving licence will then show if glasses are required to be worn.

Harry Bloomfield · 2026-02-28T14:23:59+0000

Doug99 said:
At the moment, the application form only asks whether the driver can read a car number plate correctly from a distance of 20m. Glasses may be worn. The driving licence will then show if glasses are required to be worn.

If you are pulled, and your licence suggests you should be wearing glasses, you can get done for not wearing them when stopped.

I've just received a text, informing me that the results of my eye screening check, from earlier this week, are available to be viewed. It shows I pass easily. Perfect on left eye, slightly worse on right eye due to slight, background, diabetic retinopathy.

That, is despite Av suggesting I pull out, and step out in front of vehicles. I have just tried to explain to her, that it is absolutely deliberate - Better to step out in front of a vehicle, you can see, and assess the speed is safe to cross in front of, than step out, and be hit by a yet unseen one, coming round the bend at 100mph.

Trazor · 2026-02-28T14:44:14+0000

Diver Fred said:
he also says if he didn't do he would request my licence and car keys as he wouldn't allow me to drive any more. Certainly gives me the impression he has a 'route' direct into the DVLA similar to a doctors.

Nonsense.

pete01 · 2026-02-28T14:51:58+0000

Diver Fred said:
Well my opticians, a small family business, tells me at end of my last 3 eye tests/examination tells me my eyes are good to drive with; he also says if he didn't do he would request my licence and car keys as he wouldn't allow me to drive any more. Certainly gives me the impression he has a 'route' direct into the DVLA similar to a doctors.

Don't think he could take your keys.

What about the spare key?

King Billy · 2026-03-01T05:50:22+0000

pete01 said:
Don't think he could take your keys.

What about the spare key?

Driver Fred's is probably in the glovebox, in the car.

Driving licence eye test?

Similar threads