As many as 14 million Britons are at risk of breaching this regulation and could even have their driving licences revoked
Fiona Callingham Lifestyle writer
12:01, 04 Nov 2025
Brits have been warned they could face fines of £1,000 for failing to tell the DVLA one thing(Image: Getty)
Drivers throughout the UK have been warned they could face penalties of up to £1,000 for failing to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about one essential requirement.
Up to 14 million Britons risk violating this rule and could potentially lose their driving licences entirely. Tina Patel, a contact lens optician at Feel Good Contacts, has cautioned that motorists who require spectacles must tell the DVLA they need vision correction to drive.
As reported by Express.co.uk, they must also make certain they wear their glasses whilst operating a vehicle. She explained: “Motorists that require eyesight correction to drive and have the ’01’ code on the rear of their licence need to be careful.
Failing to tell the DVLA about your eyesight issues could also see your licence revoked(Image: Getty)
“If they are caught behind the wheel without wearing their glasses or contact lenses, they could face severe penalties. Fines of up to £1,000 can be implemented on the spot and you may receive three points on your license for failing to wear your specs, or you could even end up having your licence revoked altogether for breaking the Highway Code.
“What’s more, your insurance could be invalidated if you find yourself having to make a claim.” Motorists must also inform the DVLA should their eyesight worsen.
She continued: “You must notify the DVLA if there are any changes in your eyesight, so they can update your licence with an ’01’ code.
“Worryingly, in a recent survey by Feel Good Contacts, more than a third (35 per cent) of drivers that require glasses or contact lenses when driving have not declared this to the DVLA.
Under the Highway Code, if you need to wear glasses (or contact lenses) to do this, you must wear them at all times while driving(Image: Getty)
“If you fail to keep your driving licence updated, you face a separate fine of up to £1,000, the same applies to an expired photo or change of address.”
According to rule 92 of the Highway Code:
- You must be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres (or 20.5 metres where the old style number plate is used)
- If you need to wear glasses (or contact lenses) to do this, you must wear them at all times while driving
- The police have the power to require a driver to undertake an eyesight test
Tina recommended the following to maintain optimal eye health whilst driving:
- Keep yourself well hydrated
- Make sure you get sufficient rest
- Stop regularly during longer journeys
- Use your prescription glasses or contact lenses (if required for driving)
- Lower the sun visor during bright conditions
- Use sunglasses on particularly sunny days – polarised sunglasses are specifically designed to minimise both direct and reflected glare
