Guidance reviewed: 13 November 2026
You must meet the eyesight standards for driving before you drive on the road, including during lessons and private practice. This guide covers car and motorcycle standards in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has separate licensing arrangements.
The number-plate standard
You must be able to read a vehicle number plate in good daylight from 20 metres. You may wear glasses or contact lenses if you need them. At the start of the practical driving test, the examiner checks that you can read a parked vehicle’s plate: the test uses 20 metres for a new-style plate and 20.5 metres for an old-style plate. If you cannot read it, the test will fail and will not continue.
There is more than the plate check
For a car or motorcycle licence, you must also meet the minimum visual-acuity standard of 6/12 (decimal 0.5), using both eyes together or your only functioning eye, with corrective lenses if needed. You must have an adequate field of vision as well. An optician can assess these standards; the roadside number-plate check does not measure every aspect of eyesight.
Glasses, contact lenses and eyesight conditions
If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the driving standard, wear them every time you drive. Tell DVLA about an eyesight condition that affects both eyes, or your remaining eye if you have sight in one eye only. Short-sightedness, long-sightedness and colour blindness alone do not need to be reported under this rule, but check DVLA’s guidance if you have another condition or are unsure.
If you have concerns about your vision, speak to an optician and check the official DVLA guidance before driving. Do not rely on practising the test plate check as a substitute for a full eyesight assessment.
What happens during the practical test · Private practice with family or friends