Are Employers Responsible For Driver Eye Tests & Health?
According to research for National Eye Health Week, there are 9 million drivers on UK roads whose quality of vision is below the legal requirement.
According to research for National Eye Health Week, there are 9 million drivers on UK roads whose quality of vision is below the legal requirement.
Marion Hanson
Marketing Assistant
Poor eyesight can be a considerable risk to your drivers and the road users around them.
Road incidents that can be attributed to poor eyesight result in an estimated 2,900 casualties per year.
The law states that employers must ensure that any employee who drives for work is fit to do so. This could cover many things, but ensuring your drivers’ eyesight is in good condition falls under these rules.
It is recommended that any eye tests your drivers have are documented so that you can supply evidence that you have been fulfilling your duty of care.
Your drivers must have sufficient eyesight to avoid danger to themselves or others. Poor vision prevents drivers from perceiving hazards in time, making collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles increasingly likely.
39% of road traffic accidents in 2019 were caused by drivers failing to observe their surroundings properly. A good portion of these accidents may be attributed to poor eyesight. How many of these incidents could have been prevented had their ability to see correctly exceeded the minimum requirement?
Knowingly driving with sub-par vision could result in fines of up to £1,000, penalty points on licences, and even prosecution if a serious incident occurs, which could all have massive repercussions on your business.
A driver's eye test can detect vision impairments that affect your ability to drive safely, including:
If your drivers are experiencing specific symptoms, it could be a sign that their vision has deteriorated.
Make sure your drivers have their eyes tested if they are experiencing:
Many UK drivers probably have poor vision because our eyesight tends to deteriorate so slowly that we don’t even notice it happening. This makes it increasingly difficult to identify when there is a problem, as drivers may just think their vision is normal! That’s why regularly repeating the license plate test is critical. As mentioned, failure to do so could result in serious consequences for your drivers, business, and other road users.
For fleet drivers in the UK, the minimum eyesight requirement is to be able to read a car number plate from 20 meters away, which translates to a visual acuity of at least 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale, with or without corrective lenses. However, lorry and bus drivers must meet stricter standards. They need a visual acuity of at least 0.8 (6/7.5) in their best eye and 0.1 (6/60) in the other eye. Depending on their age, they require regular medical and vision checks.
It is recommended that the above be tested at least once every six months. If they fail this test, they must get their eyes tested properly. Depending on your policy, this can be arranged by the employer or the employee. However, failing to have their eyes tested and continuing to drive with less-than-adequate vision could breach the law.
If your drivers’ eye test results aren’t satisfactory, don’t worry! They can be fitted with glasses that will bring their vision up to an acceptable level when behind the wheel.
Read about why you shouldn't leave your driver safety to chance and how Vehicle Safety Checks can help.
A standard eye test for a fleet driver in the UK would typically cost between £20 and £30 at a chain optician like Specsavers, depending on location and individual circumstances; some individuals may be eligible for a free NHS eye test if they meet specific criteria. Some things to consider are below:
Independent opticians charge more than larger chains, but going private means quicker and more specialised services for your employees.
It is worth checking whether your employees are eligible for a free NHS eye test due to particular health conditions.
The last point to consider and something your employee may ask is whether you, as a company, cover the cost of your drivers' eye tests as part of your company's health and safety procedures.
Depending on the number of tests performed, a driver's eye test can take 20–40 minutes. A complete eye exam can take longer for older drivers or those with certain health conditions.
If your driver's eye test policy states that your company must provide these eye tests, your company should book the eye test.
To book a fleet driver eye test, you can contact your chosen optician directly and specify that you need a "fleet driver eye test" for your fleet driver or a "DVLA standard eyesight check.”
You can also check with your fleet management company to see if they have a preferred provider or system for scheduling these tests.
Fleet managers might have many safety concerns, including ensuring every driver in their business has adequate eyesight. However, drivers are only half the equation—you also need to monitor the safety of your vehicles!
With Motia's Vehicle Safety Checks app, your drivers can efficiently and thoroughly carry out vehicle safety checks on their phone. This means plenty of time saved on admin and tamper-proof records. When your drivers use Vehicle Safety Checks, you can rest easy knowing that the vehicles they use daily are safe to drive, and you’re also fulfilling your duties as a fleet manager.
Contact Motia today to learn how we could help your business remain safe on the road!
Providing Fleet Solutions to optimise operations, cut costs, and keep your business moving.
