Thousands of elderly drivers have been stripped of their licences, new data shows, as the Government looks to crack down on motorists with eyesight conditions.
Research shows that 37,121 motorists have had their driving licences taken away from them for failing to meet legal eyesight standards.
Drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away, or the length of five parked cars, with this being checked when someone takes a practical driving test.
Alternatively, they must meet the minimum eyesight standard by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale.
However, new data obtained through a Freedom of Information request reveals that between 2022 and 2025, 32,944 Group 1 car drivers lost or were refused licences for failing to meet eyesight standards.
An additional 4,177 motorists with Group 2 licences, which permit people to drive buses and lorries, had their entitlement revoked or refused.
On average, around 8,000 drivers are told every year that they cannot continue behind the wheel on account of their poor eyesight.
Drivers can be slapped with a £1,000 fine if they fail to report to the DVLA any medical conditions that could impact their eyesight.
More than 37,000 drivers have been stripped of their licences for having poor eyesight
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GETTY
This could be escalated to a prosecution if they are involved in an accident as a result of their medical condition.
Eye conditions that need to be reported to the DVLA include blepharospasm, diabetic retinopathy (with laser treatment), diplopia (double vision), glaucoma, nyctalopia (night blindness) and retinitis pigmentosa.
The data, from Marshall Motor Group, showed that drivers of all age groups had their licences revoked because of their eyesight.
Despite this, numbers soared in age groups above 55, with a peak of 10,794 revoked Group 1 licences for drivers between the ages of 70 and 79.
Elderly drivers have to renew their licence every three years once they reach 70 years of age | GETTY
Ben Welham, motoring expert at Marshall Motor Group, said: “Eyesight deterioration usually happens gradually, so drivers might not notice small changes over time.
“Regular professional eye tests remain the safest way to make sure you meet the legal standard and can continue driving confidently.
“If road signs don’t look as sharp as they used to, headlights feel more dazzling at night, or you find yourself squinting more often, those can all be signs it’s time to book an eye test.”
It comes as the Government consults on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over the age of 70.
Adults are recommended to get an eye test every two years | PA
The Road Safety Strategy outlines that the measures are designed to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the road, without “unnecessarily restricting mobility and personal freedom.”
Labour has pledged to work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to emphasise the importance of regular police roadside eyesight tests for all motorists.
The Strategy, which is the first road safety project in more than a decade, stated that drivers who fail to meet minimum eyesight standards would have their licence revoked by the DVLA.
As part of the move to introduce mandatory eyesight testing for older motorists, work will also be done to “develop options” for cognitive testing.