Eyesight Check

Before your start your practical driving test, your examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a stationary vehicle. This number plate will be at a distance of 20 metres if it is a new style plate (those beginning with two letters i.e. AA51 FGH), or at 20.5 metres if it is an old style of plate. If you have difficulty reading or can't speak English, you may be allowed to copy down what you see.

If you can read the number plate correctly you will be allowed to proceed with your driving test. However, if you fail to read it correctly, you will be asked to read another number plate. If you fail to read the second number plate, the examiner will use a tape measure to measure the exact distance from a third number plate. If you can not read the third number plate at this distance, you will fail the driving test, and the practical test will not continue. If you are unable to read the number plate because you have forgotten or broken your glasses, you will not be allowed to take the practical test. This will also result in a test failure.

A test failure will be marked on the driving test report form along with a note of your interpretation of the number plate along with the correct one. The examiner will send a form (D255) to DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) notifying them of your eyesight failure, who will then ask the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) to carry out a separate eyesight test for you at a test centre. If you are successful at this separate eyesight test you will still have to pass the standard eyesight test at your next practical driving test.

If you need glasses to read the number plate for the eyesight test, then you must wear them whenever you drive. You will fail your test if you take them off during the practical test.

After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions .

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