DVLA Group 2 visual accuity

Since 8th March 2013 (EU Second Driving Licence Directive) there exists in UK law stricter medical health and eyesight requirements for UK driving licence holders with vocational entitlement (goods vehicle categories C1, C, CE, and passenger carrying vehicle categories D1, D and DE) than for those holding category B (car) or category A (motorcycle) entitlement.

Drivers are required by law to inform DVLA of any medical condition that affects their ability to drive, and also of an inability to satisfy the legally required visual accuity standard.

All drivers must be able to read a UK registration plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres.

The official visual minimum standard for vocational category licence holders (known by DVLA as as Group 2, car / motorcycle being Group 1) is, with or without glasses or contact lenses, the driver must have a visual accuity of at least 6/7.5 (measured on the Snellen scale) in their better eye and at least 6/60 in the poorer eye.

There are also legally required standards that must be met with regard to visual field (peripheral vision).

During the periodic routine medical examinations that vocational drivers must undergo the driver's eyesight is tested by having the driver read out loud rows of letters, decreasing in size, on a Snellen visual acuity chart, a measured distance (3 or 6 metres) from where the driver must stand.

If a driver fails to meet the DVLA group 2 eyesight standard (read down to the 6/7.5 line with the better / stronger eye and at least the 6/60 line with the weaker eye) the doctor carrying out the medical is unable to complete and sign page 2 (Vision assessment) of the Medical Examination report (DVSA form D4) and must instruct the driver to undergo a thorough eye test with a qualified optician, who will then complete page 2 of the D4, entering the results of the eyesight test and adding their signature and official stamp.

If during the test a driver requires glasses or contact lenses to achieve the required eyesight standard then this fact will be noted by the doctor or optician on the D4 form, resulting in DVLA adding a 01 restriction code to column 12 on the reverse side of the driver's photocard driving licence. A driver having this 01 restriction code must then by law always wear prescription glasses (varifocals), or contact lenses, whilst driving a vehicle in all categories to which the 01 code has been added.

Due to the differing visual accuity standards between car / motorcycle (group 1) and vocational licence (group 2) categories, it is possible that a driver may not have the 01 code applied to their car (category B) entitlement, but they will have the 01 restriction code applied to their vocational category entitlement(s).

Don't wait for your periodic HGV / PCV medical to come around, that's every five years between the ages of 45 and 65 and annually thereafter, check you eyesight regularly and if you notice a drop in your visual accuity book an appointment with an optician to have a thorough test carried out.

Use the Snellen chart we've provided, printed on an A4 page at 100% magnification, placed 6 metres from where you'll stand to read it and do your own personal assessment. If you detect any issues, as already mentioned, go see an optician.

Download a printable Snellen Eye Chart PDF from our secure repository below.