Drivers could be hit with serious penalties, including heavy fines for breaking a simple DVLA motoring rule.
Motorists could be fines for getting behind the wheel with one condition (Image: Getty)
Motorists could be slapped with a hefty £1,000 fine for getting behind the wheel with one medical condition, according to a DVLA rule. Experts at Select Car Leasing have explained that individuals with eye conditions that affect vision, such as glaucoma and cataracts, should report issues to the DVLA.
Failing to disclose information about a crucial eye issue is against the rules and could see road users hot with penalties. Many road users are hesitant to report issues over concerns they will be told to stop driving and lose their freedoms. However, Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, explained that road users may still be able to travel despite their condition.
Eye health is a serious issue for road users (Image: Getty)
Graham said: “Some visual or medical conditions must be declared to the DVLA, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and certain types of astigmatism that affect both eyes.
“Failing to report a notifiable condition can also result in a fine of up to £1,000 and prosecution if you’re involved in an accident and it’s found that your eyesight played a role.
“It’s always better to be upfront about an eye condition that affects your driving. The DVLA aren’t trying to take people off the road unnecessarily; they just want to make sure motorists are driving safely. Often, all that is required is an up-to-date prescription or an additional eye test.”
Under current rules, motorists are not required to take an eye test to renew their licence every 10 years or after the age of 70. Vision problems can also be harder to notice with eyesight generally declining gradually over time instead of suddenly.
Glaucoma is one of the worst vision conditions, with statistics showing that at least 700,000 people in the UK are living with the disease.
Glaucoma UK explained: “If you look for images of what vision with glaucoma looks like, you’ll often see photos that show a black tunnel or big black patches dotted around.
“This isn’t accurate, and in fact glaucoma sight loss can be quite subtle, especially at the start. Some people with glaucoma notice misty or blurry patches in their vision, particularly if they close one eye, and that’s how we tend to describe glaucoma sight loss.
“For people with more advanced glaucoma, daily activities such as reading, driving or moving about become more difficult.”
