Just had eye test and need glasses for driving. Never had them before. I presume I have to tell dvla but how do I do this and will I need to change photos on licence and digi card?
I didn’t tell them… Maybe I should have. I don’t need them now since I had the cataracts done but my licence says I do… Oh well.
BTW - I suggest you go for varifocals so you can read the gauges on the dash and the map without swapping distance for reading. Right PITA.
LASHHGV:
Just had eye test and need glasses for driving. Never had them before. I presume I have to tell dvla but how do I do this and will I need to change photos on licence and digi card?
No need to change photo as most passport /ID type photos have to be taken full face, no spectacles, hats, or muslim veils.
I did tell DVLA and I am issued with an 01 code which means I have to wear glasses at all times behind the wheel. If it was a normal high street test and you are long or short sighted. I dont think that counts, it is more about peripheral and wide vision.
This is a good read, small print though 
Thanks for the prompt replys. I have a very weak prescription I’m just a bit short sighted but still want to do things by the book. You never know when it could come back to bite you on the bum.
Wheel Nut:
No need to change photo as most passport /ID type photos have to be taken full face, no spectacles, hats, or muslim veils.I did tell DVLA and I am issued with an 01 code which means I have to wear glasses at all times behind the wheel. If it was a normal high street test and you are long or short sighted. I dont think that counts, it is more about peripheral and wide vision.
I think you’re a bit wide of the mark. Its all about distance vision.
This thread might be of interest, although Mothertrucker doesn’t seem to quite get it:
Driveroneuk:
Wheel Nut:
No need to change photo as most passport /ID type photos have to be taken full face, no spectacles, hats, or muslim veils.I did tell DVLA and I am issued with an 01 code which means I have to wear glasses at all times behind the wheel. If it was a normal high street test and you are long or short sighted. I dont think that counts, it is more about peripheral and wide vision.
I think you’re a bit wide of the mark. Its all about distance vision.
This thread might be of interest, although Mothertrucker doesn’t seem to quite get it:
The test still revolves round the Snellen card and a piece of card or a book to blank each eye out. I also think something’s changed in 1997 along with the licence classes.
On the medical form they expect
Applicants for categories C1, C1+E, D1, D1+E, C, C+E, D and D+E must also by law have:
3a - a visual acuity of at least 6/9 in the better eye
- a visual acuity of at least 6/12 in the worse eye, and
- if these are achieved by wearing glasses or contact lenses the uncorrected visual acuity in each eye must be no less than 3/60.
If you are an applicant who held a driving licence before
1 January 1997 and who has an uncorrected acuity of less than 3/60 in only one eye or who has held an LGV/PCV (formerly HGV/PSV) driving licence before 1 March 1992 but who does not meet the medical standards in 3a may still be allowed a driving licence. You can get more information about the medical standards and other requirements from The Drivers Medical Group, DVLA Swansea SA99 1TU or phone 0300 790 6807.
Taken from INF4D
I’m in the position of be required to wear glass to correct short-sightedness for driving, but only for vocational use.
After my medical the DVLA wacked an 01 code across all categories, but I sent it back because I can meet the lesser requirements without glasses for non-vocational categories.
As you can see from the lower licence, they still didn’t get it quite right (I think), as D1E shouldn’t have an 01 code beside it (This is because the lower eyesight standard should also be applied to the C1 and D1 that were acquired pre-1997 under grandfather rights.) I gave up then, but I was disappointed to see they omitted my old B1, C1 and D1 categories which should last until my 70th birthday, it’s not like they didn’t have any room for them.
Anyway, back to the OP’s question. I do believe that it should be declared to the DVLA and marked as such (Info Code = 01). I don’t believe you have to change your driving licence photo or tachograph card photos. Both mine are still without glasses.
Wheel Nut:
No need to change photo as most passport /ID type photos have to be taken full face, no spectacles, hats, or muslim veils.
Contrary to the no spectacles statement above, you may wear glasses in a driving licence photo providing,
a)“free of any reflection or glare from glasses”
b)“have nothing covering your eyes eg hair or glasses frame”
c)“not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses”
Having said all that, they recommend you don’t wear glasses to save having your photo rejected on any of the above grounds.
Direct.gov.uk - The photo for your driving licence
Direct.gov.uk - Download examples of correct and incorrect photos (PDF, 1010K)
Don’t bother paying extra for reaction lenses no matter what they say, they don’t work behind glass
the most important thing (imho) when getting your specs is to get the lightest possible pair.
Wether you get reactions, vari or bi focals, tinted or any of the other offers, weight is really important.
Scratch resistant coating is also good if you are having plastic lenses.
Get 2 pairs ,
buy one get one free or similar .
or a nice pair and a cheap second spare pair .
Keep the spare pair in your motor or in your bag in case you break or lose your main set.
Lots of internet deals on glasses you can buy direct at good cheap prices and you can choose your style.
So long as you know the presciption lens details to order, which your optician will have provided you with in the paperwork they gave you… simples.
All depends how much dosh you want to spend , and whether you want cheapos or designer type.
you can spend from a tenner off internet to way up to 300£ from a shop.
for the lenses you can get anti scratch coating and reactive - uv for sun glare (they go darker like sunglasses),
frames come in all sorts and shapes and sizes as do the lens to fit.
Indeed. I broke my glasses whilst working with platforms on the motorway overnight. I was legal to operate the machinery but not legal to drive the vehicle off the motorway. Thankfully sellotape got me out of that one but even so. I now carry several pairs of glasses. I got a newer clear set of glasses, yellow tint for driving and night driving and a grey tint of sunglasses. When I upgraded 2 years ago I got another new clear pair and a brown tint of sunglasses, which are used for brighter landscape/sun such as sun on snow.
Spares are always helpful. Also carrying those small screwdrivers when you notice the screws have come loose 
you will need to carry a spare pair if travelling abroad as in many country
it is LAW, when Driving car truck or bike,
Transitvan+45galdrum:
Don’t bother paying extra for reaction lenses no matter what they say, they don’t work behind glass
Ive got reactions fitted in my ones, but that was only because Specsavers were doing it for free… 
Anyone Know the law regarding contact lenses?
macplaxton:
I’m in the position of be required to wear glass to correct short-sightedness for driving, but only for vocational use.After my medical the DVLA wacked an 01 code across all categories, but I sent it back because I can meet the lesser requirements without glasses for non-vocational categories.
As you can see from the lower licence, they still didn’t get it quite right (I think), as D1E shouldn’t have an 01 code beside it (This is because the lower eyesight standard should also be applied to the C1 and D1 that were acquired pre-1997 under grandfather rights.) I gave up then, but I was disappointed to see they omitted my old B1, C1 and D1 categories which should last until my 70th birthday, it’s not like they didn’t have any room for them.
Anyway, back to the OP’s question. I do believe that it should be declared to the DVLA and marked as such (Info Code = 01). I don’t believe you have to change your driving licence photo or tachograph card photos. Both mine are still without glasses.
Wheel Nut:
No need to change photo as most passport /ID type photos have to be taken full face, no spectacles, hats, or muslim veils.Contrary to the no spectacles statement above, you may wear glasses in a driving licence photo providing,
a)“free of any reflection or glare from glasses”
b)“have nothing covering your eyes eg hair or glasses frame”
c)“not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses”Having said all that, they recommend you don’t wear glasses to save having your photo rejected on any of the above grounds.
Direct.gov.uk - The photo for your driving licence
Direct.gov.uk - Download examples of correct and incorrect photos (PDF, 1010K)
Interesting thread, thanks for clearing that up Max. I too had 01 put on all categories and decided it was too much hassle to change things, but will do now. I always wear glasses in the car, it was just for my motorbike, it can be a pain in the arse when you are sweating or riding in the rain.
The bit about the photograph was told to me when I recently renewed my photo at the post office, they do the lot for about £24 and she said I had to remove mine, even though my old licence and passport had me wearing glasses.
Although there is no actual law that says you MUST carry a spare pair of glasses there is a law that says that if you need them you must wear them (same for contacts).
This means that if you lost your specs while away somewhere you wouldn’t be able to (legally) drive home. So a spare pair (or two) makes sense.
macplaxton:
I’m in the position of be required to wear glass to correct short-sightedness for driving, but only for vocational use.After my medical the DVLA wacked an 01 code across all categories, but I sent it back because I can meet the lesser requirements without glasses for non-vocational categories.
As you can see from the lower licence, they still didn’t get it quite right (I think), as D1E shouldn’t have an 01 code beside it (This is because the lower eyesight standard should also be applied to the C1 and D1 that were acquired pre-1997 under grandfather rights.) I gave up then, but I was disappointed to see they omitted my old B1, C1 and D1 categories which should last until my 70th birthday, it’s not like they didn’t have any room for them.
Anyway, back to the OP’s question. I do believe that it should be declared to the DVLA and marked as such (Info Code = 01). I don’t believe you have to change your driving licence photo or tachograph card photos. Both mine are still without glasses.
Wheel Nut:
No need to change photo as most passport /ID type photos have to be taken full face, no spectacles, hats, or muslim veils.Contrary to the no spectacles statement above, you may wear glasses in a driving licence photo providing,
a)“free of any reflection or glare from glasses”
b)“have nothing covering your eyes eg hair or glasses frame”
c)“not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses”Having said all that, they recommend you don’t wear glasses to save having your photo rejected on any of the above grounds.
Direct.gov.uk - The photo for your driving licence
Direct.gov.uk - Download examples of correct and incorrect photos (PDF, 1010K)
no need 2 worry bout having had b1 c1 and d1 removed, they do it 2 save room as its coverd in higher catogory, same thing happend 2 me when i passed me bike test,licence came back with no c1 and ive got ce got me confused at first till someone in the know explained it
Santa:
…BTW - I suggest you go for varifocals so you can read the gauges on the dash and the map without swapping distance for reading. Right PITA.
Varifocals are great - if you need them - and things from hell if you don’t - try operating a digi-tach mounted above the windscreen or wading across a river, my father in law say the the worst job in the world is ploughing with varifocals on 'cos nothing is at the right distance to be in focus.
most people under 40 don’t need them as they still have the flexibility in focussing.
Once you need two pairs - one for distance / one for close work - and keep switching:- then you should consider varifocals or bifocals - your prescription should tell the story, look for a “Near Add” - typically somewhere between 1 and 2.5 diopters.
Zenni Optical stonking deals.
Wheel Nut:
it was just for my motorbike, it can be a pain in the arse when you are sweating or riding in the rain.
Exactly, I used to wear a BMW System 3 lid to get round taking glasses on and off all the time. Trouble is the first month or so you tend to walk into doorways and bash the raised chin-guard off the anything low. 
Then I had a top of the range Arai as I could wash the lining, but whilst lighter and better ventilated than the S3, it was also a lot noisier. Being a courier at the time, I was out in all weathers too, so had take the glasses off when the weather got to much, as I was seeing a lot less with them on.
eddster1979:
no need 2 worry bout having had b1 c1 and d1 removed, they do it 2 save room as its coverd in higher catogory, same thing happend 2 me when i passed me bike test,licence came back with no c1 and ive got ce got me confused at first till someone in the know explained it
I’m not worried, but there is room to have it on there:
and other member states manage it:
