Occupational visual standards
Many occupations, from delivery driving to policing and aviation, require specific vision standards. Sophie Goodchild outlines the current criteria, the optometrist’s role in supporting compliance, and proposed reforms.
Road use has increased significantly in the UK over the past few decades, with more than 34 million licensed cars and millions of other vehicles on the road (RAC Foundation, 2026).
Many occupations require specific visual standards, including lorry driving, firefighting, taxi and delivery driving, aerospace, marine services, engineering and policing.
Vision standards are designed to protect public safety in safety-critical roles such as transport and engineering. Optometrists play a key role in ensuring standards are met through monitoring patients and assessing fitness to drive or work (Association of Optometrists, 2026a).
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Related further reading
The GOC is consulting on an update to its 2013 Statement on the testing of sight, alongside proposed changes to the Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians and the Standards for Optical Students.
This is an in-person peer review taking place at Assembly Buildings, Belfast.
The College of Optometrists has welcomed the new appointments across the Department of Health and Social Care.