International Standards:

Vision Requirements for Driving Safety

Section 6 – Summary and Recommendations

1. There is a definite need to make the driving license requirements more uniform.

2. For an unrestricted (non-commercial) license we recommend that, with both eyes open, the applicant should have a visual acuity of 20/40 (0.5, 6/12) or better and an uninterrupted visual field of 120° or better in the horizontal meridian.

Persons who do not meet the screening criteria should be referred for further evaluation by a vision specialist.

If refractive correction can bring the visual acuity to 20/40 or better, and the visual fields appear normal, no further action is required.

3. In older drivers testing of glare and contrast sensitivity should be considered.

4. A compromise may have to be found between ideal testing and economic feasibility.

5. Driving licenses should have a defined renewal period.

6. The visual and driving performance of older drivers should be assessed regularly, we recommend starting at the age of 65 years.

7. There is a need for restricted licenses. The purpose of allowing restricted licenses is to improve the safety margin (inherent in the standard requirements) through avoidance of hazardous conditions, especially for those who have prior driving experience and a good driving record.

8. Although the European criteria only date from 1998, a group of the European Union is working on implementing these criteria ^[25]. Their studies ^[24] and considerations have contributed to this report. We propose to cooperate with the European group and see with them whether their proposals could be adopted worldwide.

Next: Vision Requirements for Driving Safety: Appendix 1 - Survey of Driving License Requirements (except USA)

Also see: Table of Contents

Download the report on Vision Requirements for Driving Safety as a PDF file (369 KB)