Police to stop motorists for roadside vision tests
Fri, 31 Oct 2025
A new national road safety campaign will see police forces across the UK conduct roadside vision screening by asking drivers to read a number plate from 20 metres away.
The two-week initiative, called ‘Is Your Vision Roadworthy?’, is similar to vision screening in the driving test.
The scheme, which is voluntary, is running as the nights draw in and motorists may start to notice problems with their eyesight at low light levels.
"Worryingly, when we last surveyed motorists’ vision, four in 10 drivers had not had a sight test in the last two years," says chair of charity Eye Health UK David Cartwright.
"Many motorists are unaware of their legal responsibility to meet eyesight standards for driving, yet 90% of the information a driver uses is visual," he adds.
Eye Health UK says that being dazzled by glare from oncoming headlights when driving at night can also indicate vision that’s falling below minimum eyesight standards.
Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight is punishable with a fine of up to £1000, three penalty points and possible disqualification.
Under legislation known as ‘Cassie’s Law’, the police can revoke a driver’s licence on the spot if they fail a roadside number plate test and the officer deems them to be unsafe on the road.
"We want to use the roadside screening to raise awareness of the fundamental importance of good eyesight," says Rob Heard MBE, founder of the Older Drivers Forum.
"Drivers who fail to meet the required standards are not only breaking the law but putting themselves and other road users at risk."
Results from the two-week roadside vision screening initiative will be released in the new year.
