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Driving Glasses
Better Vision Behind the Wheel
Published by Direct Sight | Lens Centre
The UK law on glasses for driving
If you need glasses to see clearly, you are legally required to wear them every time you drive. This is not advisory, it is a legal duty under DVLA regulations. Drivers must be able to read a standard number plate from 20 metres with glasses or contact lenses if necessary.
If your driving licence has code “01” on the back, it means you must wear glasses or contact lenses when driving. This is so your vision meets the required vision standard. Driving without them in this case is illegal and could void your car insurance in the event of an accident. As well as resulting in a fine of up to £1,000.00 and three penalty points on your licence.
Keep a spare pair in your car
Your prescription can change, and glasses can be lost, broken, or forgotten. The Highway Code specifically recommends keeping a spare pair of prescription glasses in your vehicle.
If you drive daily, a second pair of driving prescription glasses is a practical and affordable safety option. Glasses complete with prescription lenses are available from £9.00 at Direct Sight.
Which lenses are best for driving glasses?
Not all prescription lenses perform equally behind the wheel. Here are the three main options for drivers who wear glasses in the UK:
| Type | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Distance glasses (Essential) | Clear, sharp distance vision across the whole lens | Most drivers |
| Anti-reflective coating (Recommended) | Reduces glare from headlights and reflections | Night driving |
| Varifocal lenses | Lets you see the road and dashboard without switching glasses | Drivers needing distance and near vision |
Daytime driving
Polarised lenses are great driving lenses that eliminate reflected glare from road surfaces, bonnets, and wet tarmac. They significantly reducing eye strain on bright days and improve contrast and overall driving experience.
Best lens: Category 3 polarised tint (grey or brown) with anti-reflective coating.
Night driving
Clear prescription lenses with anti-reflective coating are the right choice. They help to reduce glare from bright light of oncoming traffic when night time driving.
Best lens: Clear prescription with multi-layer anti-reflective coating that also offers UV protection.
Yellow-tinted lenses for driving
There is no clinical evidence that yellow or amber tinted lenses improve night vision or road safety. These lenses reduce the total amount of light entering the eye. This is the opposite of what you need in low-light conditions when driving at night.
Amber tints enhance contrast and reduce glare, the perfect combination for every daywear when not driving.
Photochromic lenses for driving
Photochromic lenses (e.g., Transitions, Adaptions) automatically darken in sunlight and clear indoors, for convenient all-in-one protection from UVA, UVB and blue light.
However, they may not fully darken inside a car because the windscreen blocks the UV light needed to activate them.
Ordering prescription driving glasses online in the UK
You can order prescription driving glasses at Direct Sight online using an up to date prescription. Distance driving glasses use a single vision prescription for distance correction. If you need varifocal driving glasses to include your near prescription, these are also available.
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Frequently Asked Questions - driving glasses UK
Do I legally have to wear my glasses when driving in the UK?
Yes. If your vision only meets the DVLA's required standard with the help of corrective lenses, glasses or contact lenses, you must wear them every time you drive. This is a legal requirement.
If your driving licence has a '01' code on the back, this confirms you must wear glasses to drive. Driving without them is illegal, can result in a £1,000.00 fine and three penalty points, and may invalidate your car insurance.
What are the DVLA eyesight requirements for driving?
UK drivers must be able to read a standard car number plate from 20 metres, and must achieve a visual acuity of at least 6/12 on the Snellen scale. Both with corrective lenses if needed.
Drivers must also have an adequate field of vision. Failing to meet these standards while driving is a criminal offence. For full DVLA eyesight driving rules.
What lenses are best for night driving glasses in the UK?
A pair of glasses with clear prescription anti-reflective (AR) coated lenses are the standard recommendation for night driving. AR coating significantly reduces glare and reflections from headlights and wet roads.
Yellow or amber tinted are not recommended for 'night driving glasses'. There is no clinical evidence they improve night vision. They reduce the total amount of light reaching the eye, which can make low-light driving worse. All Direct Sight lenses can have anti-reflective coating added as an upgrade during the lens customisation process.
Can you buy prescription driving glasses online in the UK?
Yes. You can order prescription driving glasses online at Direct Sight using your up to date prescription.
Distance driving glasses use a single vision prescription (your distance SPH, CYL, AXIS, and PD values). Varifocal driving glasses are also available.
Should I use varifocal glasses for driving?
Varifocals (progressive lenses) can be a good option for drivers who need both distance and near correction. They allow you to see the road clearly through the top of the lens and read the dashboard through the lower part of the lens. Without the need of changing glasses.
They require a short adjustment period, and the distance area is narrower than in single vision lenses. If you drive often, single vision distance glasses provide a wider, uninterrupted view.