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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