Good eyesight is essential for HGV drivers. From reading road signs and spotting hazards to judging distances and monitoring other road users, drivers need to be able to see clearly and respond safely throughout their journeys.
Because HGVs are larger and heavier than cars, drivers of lorries and other Group 2 vehicles are subject to stricter eyesight standards than car and motorcycle drivers.
Whether you're applying for your first HGV licence, renewing an existing licence or simply want to understand the rules around eyesight for HGV drivers, this guide explains the key requirements, what happens during an HGV eye test and what to do if you don't meet the required standard.
What are the HGV eyesight requirements?
HGV drivers must meet the Group 2 eyesight standards set by the DVLA. These standards cover visual acuity, field of vision and other aspects of visual function.
The requirements are higher than those for ordinary car drivers.
For visual acuity, HGV drivers must have:
Requirement | Group 2 HGV standard |
|---|---|
Better eye | At least 6/7.5 on a Snellen chart |
Worse eye | At least 6/60 on a Snellen chart |
Glasses | Permitted, subject to prescription limits |
Contact lenses | Permitted |
Visual field | Must meet the higher Group 2 standard |
The visual acuity requirements can be met with glasses or contact lenses where necessary. If glasses are used to meet the required standard, the corrective power must not exceed +8 dioptres in any meridian of either lens.
HGV drivers must also meet specific visual field requirements. For Group 2 drivers, the required field of vision includes an uninterrupted horizontal field of at least 160 degrees, with specified extensions above and below the horizontal plane. The DVLA also considers defects within the field of vision and other aspects of visual function, such as contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity and twilight vision.
Can you drive an HGV if you wear glasses?
Yes. Wearing glasses does not automatically prevent you from holding an HGV licence.
If your eyesight meets the required standard while wearing glasses, you can generally drive with them. The same applies to contact lenses.
If you need glasses to meet the required standard, make sure you take the prescription you currently use for driving to your medical examination. The DVLA's current D4 guidance states that the eyesight assessment should be carried out using the prescription currently worn for driving.
If your eyesight has changed since your last test, it's worth arranging an eye examination before your HGV medical rather than waiting until the assessment itself.
What's involved in the HGV eye test?
The eyesight assessment forms part of the D4 medical examination required for Group 2 drivers.
When applying for your first provisional HGV licence, you'll need to complete a D4 medical examination report. The D4 must be completed by a doctor, although an optician or optometrist may need to complete the eyesight section if the doctor cannot do so.
The vision assessment can include checks of:
Visual acuity in each eye.
Your ability to meet the required Snellen standard.
Your glasses prescription, where applicable.
Your visual field.
Relevant eye conditions or other medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely.
The exact assessment will depend on your circumstances and whether any further investigation is required.
What is the Snellen test?
The Snellen test is the familiar eye chart with rows of letters that progressively decrease in size.
Your visual acuity is recorded as a fraction, such as 6/6, 6/7.5 or 6/60. For example, the Group 2 standard requires at least 6/7.5 in the better eye and 6/60 in the poorer eye. These measurements are taken at the appropriate distance using a Snellen chart. You may be able to meet the required standard with glasses or contact lenses.
Does the HGV eye test include a number plate test?
The general legal eyesight standard for drivers includes being able to read a vehicle registration plate from 20 metres in good daylight.
However, HGV drivers must also meet the higher Group 2 visual acuity standards. So being able to read a number plate does not, by itself, mean you meet all of the requirements for an HGV licence. This is an important distinction between the eyesight requirements for ordinary driving and those for HGV and bus drivers.
How do I find out if I passed my HGV eye test?
Your eyesight assessment is completed as part of your D4 medical examination. The medical professional completing the assessment records whether you meet the relevant medical standards and provides the required information for the DVLA.
If your eyesight meets the required standard, the application can continue through the normal HGV licensing process. However, meeting the eyesight requirements is only one part of the D4 medical. The examination covers a range of medical factors that can affect fitness to drive a Group 2 vehicle.
If the doctor or optometrist identifies an issue with your eyesight, they may need to provide additional information, or you may need further assessment before the DVLA can make a decision.
For more information about the wider medical assessment, see our guide to the UK HGV D4 medical test.
What happens if I fail the HGV eye test?
If you don't meet the required HGV eyesight standard, it doesn't necessarily mean that you can never drive an HGV. The next step depends on why you haven't met the standard. For example, if your vision can be corrected to the required level with glasses or contact lenses, you may be able to meet the standard with corrective lenses. If the issue relates to your visual field or an eye condition, the DVLA may require further information or testing before deciding whether you can hold or retain a Group 2 licence.
The DVLA has specific guidance covering visual conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, visual field defects, monocular vision and double vision. The requirements can vary depending on the condition and the individual's circumstances.
Can you retake an HGV eye test?
If you don't meet the required standard during an assessment, speak to the medical professional carrying out the examination about what happens next.
If your eyesight could potentially be improved with a new prescription, you may need to visit an optician or optometrist and have your vision reassessed.
Where the issue involves a medical or visual condition, the DVLA may need additional evidence before making a licensing decision.
It's important not to continue driving an HGV if you know that your eyesight no longer meets the required legal standard.
What eye conditions can affect an HGV licence?
Not every eye condition automatically prevents someone from driving an HGV. What matters is whether the driver's vision meets the relevant Group 2 standards.
Conditions that can affect eyesight include:
Cataracts.
Glaucoma.
Diabetic retinopathy.
Retinitis pigmentosa.
Visual field defects.
Double vision.
Other conditions affecting visual acuity or peripheral vision.
The DVLA has separate guidance for different visual conditions. In some circumstances, a driver may need to notify the DVLA or undergo additional assessment. If you're unsure whether a diagnosed eye condition affects your HGV licence, check the relevant DVLA guidance and speak to your doctor or optometrist.
How often should an HGV driver have an eye test?
There are two different things to consider here: the formal HGV medical examination and routine eye examinations.
HGV and bus drivers are required to renew their Group 2 licence at specific intervals. Generally, drivers must provide a D4 medical examination when applying for their first Group 2 licence, at age 45 and every five years afterwards until age 65. From age 65, Group 2 licences are renewed annually.
That doesn't mean you should wait five years between eye tests. Your eyesight can change between HGV medicals, sometimes without obvious symptoms. Regular sight tests can help identify changes before they affect your ability to drive safely. The appropriate frequency depends on your age, eye health, prescription, and your optometrist's advice. If you notice changes in your vision, don't wait until your next D4 medical to get your eyesight checked.
Do HGV drivers need an eye test every year?
Not necessarily.
There isn't a general rule that every HGV driver must have a full clinical eye test every year simply because they hold an HGV licence.
However, drivers aged 65 and over have an annual Group 2 licence renewal and therefore undergo the required medical assessment more frequently.
Employers may also have their own eyesight-checking procedures. For example, some operators conduct additional internal checks as part of their broader driver safety and compliance processes. These checks should not be confused with a clinical eye examination or the formal D4 medical assessment.
Why is good eyesight important for HGV drivers?
HGV drivers spend long periods on the road and need to process a large amount of visual information.
Clear vision helps drivers:
Identify hazards early.
Read road signs and markings.
Judge distances and vehicle positions.
Monitor mirrors and blind spots.
Respond to changing traffic conditions.
Drive safely in different weather and lighting conditions.
Identify pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Vision can also change gradually. A driver may not immediately notice that their eyesight has deteriorated, which is one reason regular sight tests are important.
Good eyesight is just one part of staying safe behind the wheel. For more practical advice, see our guide to top safety tips for HGV drivers.
HGV eyesight requirements FAQs
What is the eyesight requirement for an HGV licence?
Group 2 HGV drivers generally need visual acuity of at least 6/7.5 in the better eye and 6/60 in the poorer eye, with corrective lenses permitted where necessary, subject to the relevant requirements. They must also meet the Group 2 visual field standards.
Can I wear glasses during an HGV eye test?
Yes. Glasses and contact lenses can be used to meet the required visual acuity standard. If you wear glasses to meet the standard, the prescription must meet the applicable requirements.
What happens if I fail my HGV eye test?
It depends on why you have failed to meet the standard. You may need an updated glasses prescription, further testing or additional medical information. The DVLA will consider the relevant medical standards before deciding whether to issue or retain a Group 2 licence.
Is the HGV eye test part of the D4 medical?
Yes. The D4 medical examination includes a vision assessment. The eyesight section can be completed by a doctor, optician or optometrist, depending on the circumstances.
How often do HGV drivers need a D4 medical?
A D4 medical is required when applying for a first Group 2 licence, at age 45 and every five years afterwards until age 65. From age 65, Group 2 licences are renewed annually.
Can an HGV driver have poor eyesight in one eye?
Some difference in vision between the two eyes is permitted because the Group 2 standard sets separate requirements for the better and poorer eye. However, specific rules apply to significant loss of vision or monocular vision, so individual circumstances matter.
Do HGV drivers need to tell the DVLA about an eye condition?
Some eye conditions and changes in vision must be reported to the DVLA. The requirements depend on the condition and its effect on your vision. The DVLA's guidance on visual disorders provides the relevant requirements for different conditions.
Keeping your HGV licence and your eyesight in check
Meeting the HGV eyesight requirements isn't just something to think about when applying for or renewing your licence.
Your vision plays an important role every time you get behind the wheel. Regular eye examinations, using the correct glasses or contact lenses and reporting relevant changes in your health or eyesight can all help you stay within the required standards.
It's also worth keeping your wider HGV compliance and safety responsibilities up to date. You can learn more in our guides to HGV driver regulations, HGV walk-around checks and essential items in an HGV.
For businesses operating HGV fleets, keeping drivers safe also means making day-to-day operations as straightforward as possible. Our HGV fuel cards can help businesses manage fuel purchases across their fleets, while our guide to the benefits of fuel cards for HGV drivers explains how they can support drivers and fleet managers.
Key takeaways
HGV drivers are subject to stricter Group 2 eyesight requirements than car drivers.
The required visual acuity is at least 6/7.5 in the better eye and 6/60 in the poorer eye.
Glasses and contact lenses can be used to meet the required standard.
HGV drivers must also meet specific visual field requirements.
The eyesight assessment forms part of the D4 medical examination.
Failing an eyesight assessment does not necessarily mean you can never drive an HGV; the next steps depend on the reason you don't meet the standard.
Don't wait for your next D4 medical if you notice a change in your eyesight.
HGV licence medical requirements become more frequent with age, with annual renewal from 65.
