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DVLA warning to everyone over 70 - as eye test rules confirmed

By Ben Hurst

DVLA warning to everyone over 70 - as eye test rules confirmed

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Drivers born before 1955 are being warned to act swiftly or face potential arrest, as those over 70 must renew their driving licence every three years.

The DVLA issued a fresh reminder this week on X declaring: "If you're 70 or over, you need to renew your driving licence every 3 years. Do it online - you'll get your new licence within a week."

Continuing to drive with an expired licence means operating a vehicle without valid insurance, which constitutes a serious offence carrying severe penalties, including substantial fines and possible vehicle confiscation by police.

Motorists are also obliged to report any new medical conditions and verify their eyesight meets required standards.

The DVLA said: "You must tell DVLA if you've got any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye.

"This does not include being short or long sighted or colour blind. You also do not need to say if you've had surgery to correct short sightedness and can meet the eyesight standards.

"Check if you need to tell DVLA about your eyesight problem by searching the A to Z of medical conditions that could affect your driving."

Standards of vision for driving

You must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres.

You must also meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye.

You must also have an adequate field of vision - your optician can tell you about this and do a test.

The RAC stresses the crucial importance of transparency regarding health when renewing a licence, as neglecting to declare a condition that impacts driving capability can lead to fines reaching £1,000.

Medical conditions requiring declaration include dementia, diabetes treated with insulin, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, sleep apnoea, and any physical or visual disabilities.

The RAC has provided guidance concerning eyesight requirements for motorists, explaining: "When you fill in the form to renew your licence, you'll be asked to declare that you meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving. It's illegal to drive if you can't read a standard number plate from a distance of 20 metres, either with or without glasses.

"You also need to have an adequate field of vision and visual acuity must be at least decimal 0.5 on the Snellen scale (this is the opticians' test where you read rows of letters from big to small).

"To make sure you meet the eyesight standard for driving, it's recommended you have an eye test at least every two years. Any condition that affects your eyes, apart from long and short sightedness and colour blindness, should be reported to the DVLA."

For those looking to renew their licence, the RAC's advice is available here. The DVLA provides a swift online renewal service which can be accessed here.

Online applications typically result in your new licence arriving within a week, whilst postal applications can take up to three weeks.

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