The State of Driver Vision in the UK

Over a quarter of UK drivers aren’t confident that their eyesight meets the legal requirements. From spotting hazards and reading road signs to reacting to changes on the road, good vision is essential for staying safe behind the wheel.

Despite this, many motorists may not fully understand the legal requirements or the risks of driving with impaired sight. To explore how well UK drivers understand the role of vision when driving, we surveyed 2,000 motorists about their eyesight, awareness of the rules, and the potential risks of compromised vision.

Understanding UK drivers’ vision and driving habits

Our survey explored how UK drivers manage their eyesight behind the wheel, including how often those with glasses or contact lenses drive without them, and how regularly motorists keep up with eye tests. 

One in four drivers who need vision correction regularly drive without it

For drivers who rely on glasses or contact lenses, wearing them behind the wheel might seem like an obvious part of driving safely. However, our research reveals that many motorists don’t always use the vision correction they need.

Percentage of UK drivers who regularly drive without required vision correction

Around one in four drivers who need glasses or contact lenses say they regularly drive without them, despite needing vision correction to meet the legal requirements for driving.

And it’s not always a one-off mistake. 43% of glasses wearers and 48% of contact lens wearers say they have driven without their required correction at least once. 

Among those who need glasses, almost one in five (19%) say they never wear them when driving.

Denise Voon, Clinical Advisor at The College of Optometrists, says:

“If you have been prescribed glasses or contact lenses for driving, it’s important to wear them whenever you’re behind the wheel. Driving without your prescribed correction, or with an out-of-date prescription, could affect how clearly you see and may mean you no longer meet the legal eyesight requirements for driving.”

More than 4.7 million drivers who use vision correction may not have had an eye test in the last two years

Wearing glasses or contact lenses isn’t the only way to look after your vision behind the wheel, keeping your prescription up to date is important too. However, our research found that more than one in 10 drivers who use vision correction haven’t had an eye test in the last two years.

Based on 43 million* UK driving licence holders, the 11% of drivers who use vision correction and haven’t had an eye test in the past two years could equate to around 4.7 million drivers who may not have an up-to-date prescription.

The findings also show that keeping an eye on your vision isn’t just important for glasses and contact lens wearers. More than four in 10 drivers who don’t use vision correction haven’t had an eye test in the last two years. 

Denise Voon, Clinical Advisor at The College of Optometrists says:

“It’s important to have regular eye tests, at least every two years or as often as your optometrist recommends. An eye test allows your optometrist to check that your prescription is still suitable for your needs, as well as ensuring your eyes are healthy. Keeping your vision up to date can help you drive safely, comfortably and legally.”

Speaking on the importance of keeping your details up to date and being open with your insurer about changes that could affect your ability to drive safely, Alicia Hempsted, Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, explains:

“Your ability to drive safely depends on being able to see clearly, so changes to your vision shouldn’t be overlooked. If you need glasses or contact lenses for driving, it’s important to wear them every time you get behind the wheel and comply with any driving licence requirements that apply to you.

“It’s also worth checking whether any changes to your circumstances need to be disclosed to your insurer. If you’re required to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving, or your vision changes in a way that could affect your ability to drive safely, make sure your insurer has accurate and up-to-date information.

“Keeping your details current and following any requirements around vision correction can help you stay safe on the road while ensuring your car insurance information accurately reflects your circumstances.”

Seven in 10 drivers don’t know how far away they need to read a number plate

Despite being a legal requirement, most UK drivers don’t know how good their eyesight needs to be to drive. When asked how far away they should be able to read a number plate, almost 7 in 10 (69%) got the answer wrong.

Less than one in three  (31%) correctly answered 20 metres as the required reading distance, while one in five (21%) thought they should be able to read a number plate from 25 metres or further.

Awareness also differs by age. One in three drivers aged 55 and over (33%) say they don’t know or don’t think they meet the required standard, compared with 17% of 18-24 year olds.

Knowing the standard can help drivers recognise when their vision may no longer be suitable for driving, whether that means struggling to read signs, spot hazards or clearly see what’s happening further ahead. 

Speaking on the importance of understanding the eyesight requirements for driving:

Alicia Hempsted, Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, says:

“Knowing whether your eyesight meets the legal standard is a basic but important part of being a safe driver. It’s easy to overlook changes in your vision, particularly if they happen gradually, so drivers shouldn’t wait until they’re struggling to see clearly before taking action.

“From reading number plates and road signs to spotting hazards in the distance, clear vision plays a role in so many everyday driving decisions. If you’re unsure whether your eyesight meets the required standard, it’s worth getting your vision checked rather than taking a chance behind the wheel. Regular eye tests can help identify changes in your vision early, giving you the opportunity to address any issues before they affect your ability to drive safely.”

Almost one in five drivers report a near miss linked to poor eyesight

The potential safety risks of poor eyesight behind the wheel are clear, with almost one in five drivers (19%) saying they’ve experienced a near miss they believe was linked to their eyesight, while one in 10 (11%) say they’ve been involved in a collision for the same reason.

The findings also show a difference between drivers who consistently wear their required glasses or contact lenses and those who don’t.

Percentage of drivers who legally need glasses or contact lenses to drive, by how often they wear them when driving:

Among drivers who always wear their glasses or contact lenses, 11% report a near miss linked to their eyesight and 3% report a collision. This compares with 23% and 18% respectively among those who never wear their required correction.

These figures reflect drivers’ own reports and don’t establish that not wearing vision correction directly caused an incident. However, they highlight why understanding your eyesight, meeting the legal standard and using any required correction are important parts of staying safe behind the wheel.

Low sun and glare are the biggest vision challenge for almost half of UK drivers

Difficult driving conditions can make it harder to see clearly, with low sun and glare the biggest reported challenge for UK motorists. Almost half (46%) say it makes driving harder on their eyes, followed closely by night driving (45%), fog or mist (36%), wet roads with headlight glare (33%) and snow (21%).

Yet many drivers who struggle in these conditions aren’t always using the vision correction they need. Two in five (39%) drivers who find night driving difficult say they drive without their required glasses or contact lenses. This falls to 31% among those who find rain, fog or mist challenging, 30% for wet roads with headlight glare and 19% for snow.

Alicia Hempsted, Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, explains how drivers can adapt when conditions make visibility more difficult:

“Challenging conditions can make it harder to spot hazards, so drivers should take extra care when visibility is reduced. If you’re required to wear glasses or contact lenses when driving, make sure you use them every time you get behind the wheel, particularly in darkness, glare or poor weather.

“It’s also important to adapt your driving to the conditions. Slowing down, leaving more space between you and the vehicle ahead, and keeping your windscreen, mirrors and lights clean can all help you see more clearly and give you more time to react.

“Drivers should also pay attention to changes in their eyesight. If road signs, markings or other vehicles are becoming harder to see, don’t ignore it. Booking an eye test can help identify whether your vision has changed and whether your correction needs updating.”

The UK’s vision blind spots: which cities have the biggest gaps?

Where drivers live may also affect how well they understand and manage their vision behind the wheel. Our survey reveals clear regional differences in awareness of the legal eyesight standard, how regularly drivers get their eyes tested, and how many have experienced a near miss they attribute to poor vision.

UK cities with the biggest driving vision blind spots

*Ranked from lowest to highest, showing the cities with the weakest vision awareness first

Manchester ranks as the city with the biggest driver vision blind spot, with lower awareness of the legal standard and one of the highest rates of near misses linked to poor eyesight. At the other end of the scale, Glasgow drivers show the strongest overall awareness, despite a comparatively low rate of correctly identifying the 20-metre rule.

Liverpool drivers show the strongest understanding of the legal eyesight standard, with the highest proportion of drivers correctly identifying the 20-metre rule. In contrast, Plymouth, Belfast and Cardiff are the least likely to correctly identify the required distance, with just 25% answering correctly. 

Southampton drivers are the most likely to have had an eye test as an adult, with 99% saying they have done so. Newcastle sits at the other end of the ranking, with 88% having had an adult eye test, despite residents’ relatively strong performance in correctly identifying the 20-metre rule. 

Plymouth drivers report the lowest rate of near misses linked to poor eyesight, at 10.2%, while Cardiff and Newcastle also record relatively low rates. This contrasts with cities such as Brighton and Liverpool, where more than one in five drivers report experiencing a near miss linked to poor eyesight.

Whether it’s keeping up with eye tests, wearing the right vision correction or taking extra care when glare, darkness or poor weather affects visibility, small changes can make a difference. Knowing the rules is the first step, but recognising when your own vision needs attention is just as important. For drivers, seeing clearly means being better prepared for whatever happens next on the road.

Methodology and sources

Sources and methodology:

To create this report, MoneySuperMarket surveyed 2,000 UK drivers aged 18 and over who have regular access to a car.

Questions were asked to understand drivers' awareness of the legal eyesight requirements for driving, how consistently they use vision correction behind the wheel, their eye test habits, and any near misses or collisions they attribute to their own eyesight.

The survey was conducted between 7th and 11th August 2026.

*Based on Department for Transport Driving Licence data August 2026