- Refer to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in England, Scotland and Wales or Driver & Vehicle Agency in Northern Ireland information on visual standards for driving.
- The DVLA and DVA will decide whether a person is medically unfit to drive.
- The patient must inform the DVLA or DVA if they have a condition which might affect safe driving.
- If you consider a patient does not meet the vision standards for driving, you should advise them not to drive.
- If the patient continues to drive, and you cannot persuade them to stop, you should contact the DVLA or DVA and inform the patient. You may wish to discuss this with your professional or representative body first.
- You should provide guidance on tints.
- There is currently no legal eyesight requirement for a patient who drives a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, although the DVLA does have recommendations for standards of vision.
References
96 Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) (2018). Assessing Fitness to Drive: a guide for medical professionals [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]97 General Optical Council. Advice from the DVLA. GOC eBulletin Sept 2013 [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]
98 Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) A Guide to Visual Standards for Drivers [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]
- what might the outcome be in the short or longer term if I do not raise my concern?
- how could I justify not raising the concern?
- tell the patient that they are unfit to drive and give the reasons. You may wish to discuss your concerns with a relative or carer, if the patient consents to this
- tell the patient that they have a legal duty to inform the DVLA or DVA about their condition and that you may be obliged to tell the DVLA or DVA if the patient continues to drive when they are unfit to do so
- put your advice in writing to the patient
- record your advice and keep a copy of any correspondence to the patient on the patient record.
- notify the appropriate authority (DVLA or DVA) in writing, and, if appropriate, provide evidence of clinical findings (see useful information below)
- notify the patient
- make a note on the patient record
- consider whether to notify other healthcare professionals, such as the patient’s GP.
References
99 Department of Health(2010) Confidentiality: NHS Code of Practice. Supplementary Guidance: Public Interest Disclosures [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]Filter category | Description | Range of luminous transmittance in the visible spectral range |
---|---|---|
0 | clear or very light tint | from over 80% to 100% |
1 | light tint | from over 43% to 80% |
2 | medium tint | from over 18% to 43% |
3 | dark tint | from over 8% to 18% |
4 | very dark tint | from over 3% to 8% |
- the spectral transmittance of filters suitable for road use shall be not less than 0.2 x Tv for wavelengths between 475 and 650 nm, and
- the relative visual attenuation coefficient Q of filters of categories 0, 1, 2 and 3 suitable for driving and road use shall be not less than 0.8 for red and yellow signal lights, not less than 0.6 for yellow, green and blue signal lights.
References
100 British Standards Institution (2013) BS EN ISO 12312-1:2013: Eye and Face Protection. Sunglasses and related eyewear. Sunglasses for general use. Para 532 [Accessed 19 Nov 2020 ]References
101 DVLA. Mobility Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs: the rules 5. Eyesight requirements [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]DVLA patient information leaflet: A guide to the standards of vision for driving cars and motorcycles (Group 1) [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]
DVLA. Check if a Health Condition Affects Your Driving [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]
Drivers with licences issued by the DVLA can notify the DVLA online [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]
DVLA notification can be provided by healthcare professionals in confidence to: medadviser@dvla.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone 01792 782338
Medical Business Support
D7 West
DVLA
Swansea SA6 7JL
Contact details for the DVA [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]
General Medical Council (2017) Confidentiality: Patients’ fitness to drive and reporting concerns to the DVLA or DVA [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]
General Optical Council (2020) Vision and Safe Driving – what to do if a patient’s vision means they may not be fit to drive [Accessed 19 Nov 2020]