Eyesight checks - Project
The law states that all drivers of motor cars must be able to read a standard number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20.5 metres – with spectacles or corrective lenses if required.
This project ensures that you can meet the driving instructor's eyesight requirement.
Click the image above to download the project worksheet.
The first of the checks (below) will ensure that you meet the legal minimum requirement for drivers. This is the check that you will perform with your pupils during their first driving lesson.
The second check is to ensure that you can meet the ADI eyesight requirement. To operate as an Approved Driving Instructor you must be able to read a standard number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 27.5 metres – with spectacles or corrective lenses if required.
The third check is simply to find out (for your own interest) how 'good' your distant vision is. If you are planning to drive Formula 1 racing cars in your spare time nothing less than 20-20 vision is good enough!
There is also a link to an online vision test site.
Next: Find out about typical eyesight problems in Step 4.
Standard check
Pace out the correct distance from a (standard) car number plate, to meet the legal minimum eyesight requirement (20.5 metres) and make sure that you can read the number easily without squinting or screwing up your eyes (a good stride is approximately 1 metre).
Instructors eyesight check
Pace out 27.5 metres from a car number plate, to meet the legal minimum requirement for instructors and ensure that you can read the number easily.
If you have any problem reading the number plate, from the legal minimum distance for instructors, or are only just able to read it, consult an optician without delay.
Distance check
Find a number plate that is so far away that you cannot read it. Walk towards it until you can just read it.
Pace out the distance from the point at which you can just read it to the vehicle and write the distance in the space provided on the project form.
Online eye-check
As a rough guide to your eyesight try the test at the Vutest website.
Make sure that you read the instructions carefully and follow the test exactly as directed.