I have no doubt that there will be much celebration following the revised vision guidelines issued by the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (see news). While the outcome is nowhere near the ideal of qualitative tests and regular retesting for renewal of licences, there are many positives. For the vast majority, group 1 drivers, not only has the ‘in the street’ licence plate test retained its rigour but there is also a big …In addition. That ‘in addition’ is that the licence holder must have an aided visual acuity of 6/12. Much will now hinge on how that is policed. Will the 6/12 acuity be checked by driving instructors and testers as a matter of course? Will those taking their driving test now be asked to produce proof of their acuity? Perhaps only those failing the number plate test will be asked to produce a prescription proving their acuity? What we cannot allow is for the status quo to be maintained. Lobbying has its place but reality requires behaviours to be altered. Now is the time for the Optical Confederation to contact the UK Driving Instructors Confederation to educate the educators and have acuity enshrined in best practice. To get assurances from the DVLA that acuity will be checked and draw up an acuity certificate for opticians to issue to those seeking a licence. In short to ensure that in future every first driving lesson goes via the optician. Chris Bennett, editor.
I have no doubt that there will be much celebration following the revised vision guidelines issued by the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (see news).
While the outcome is nowhere near the ideal of qualitative tests and regular retesting for renewal of licences, there are many positives. For the vast majority, group 1 drivers, not only has the ‘in the street’ licence plate test retained its rigour but there is also a big …In addition. That ‘in addition’ is that the licence holder must have an aided visual acuity of 6/12.
Much will now hinge on how that is policed. Will the 6/12 acuity be checked by driving instructors and testers as a matter of course? Will those taking their driving test now be asked to produce proof of their acuity? Perhaps only those failing the number plate test will be asked to produce a prescription proving their acuity?
What we cannot allow is for the status quo to be maintained. Lobbying has its place but reality requires behaviours to be altered. Now is the time for the Optical Confederation to contact the UK Driving Instructors Confederation to educate the educators and have acuity enshrined in best practice. To get assurances from the DVLA that acuity will be checked and draw up an acuity certificate for opticians to issue to those seeking a licence.
In short to ensure that in future every first driving lesson goes via the optician.
Chris Bennett, editor.