Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether eye tests performed by NHS eye specialists are considered by the DVLA when there is a discrepancy between their results and the results of Specsavers tests.

Driving licence holders and applicants who notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of a medical condition that may affect their eyesight may be required to attend a visual field test before a driver licensing decision can be made. Specsavers currently provide this service and carry out eyesight examinations to the specifications required to enable the DVLA to assess whether the visual field requirements for driving can be met.

The DVLA will consider alternative and relevant medical evidence, including for eyesight, that is provided by a driver or applicant in support of an application for a driving licence. While many opticians, eye clinics and hospitals can identify a visual field defect, the testing carried out for clinical purposes does not always meet the specifications required for assessing vision for driving licence purposes.