- Nearly 20,000 driving licences were revoked due to eyesight issues in the last 3 years.
- More than 1,000 drivers under 50 lost their licences due to poor eyesight last year. Overall, men accounted for two-thirds (66%) of all cases across every age group.
- 1,499 driving tests were failed due to poor eyesight over three years, costing learners an estimated £93,000.
- Almost 1 in 4 drivers (23%) say they have experienced a near miss due to poor visibility or eyesight.
- Over half (57%) of drivers report being dazzled by LED or bright headlights, making glare one of the most common visibility issues on the road.
- Matt Crole-Rees, car insurance expert at Confused.com, shares tips for ensuring your vision is safe for the road.
The number of collisions linked to drivers with eyesight issues has risen year on year, increasing from 152 in 2023 to 170 in 2024 and 214 in 20251. This marks a 26% increase in the last year. That’s according to new data obtained by Confused.com through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, UK police constabularies, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
The data raises concerns that many motorists may be driving without meeting the required vision standards, with several police constabularies seeing notable increases in recent years. For instance, Essex recorded the largest increase in vision-related incidents, climbing from just 5 in 2023 to 29 in 2025, nearly six times higher than in 2023. Kent and Sussex have also seen steady growth over the same period.
These patterns raise concerns that many motorists may be driving without meeting the required vision standards, posing a serious risk to road safety.
Top 10 police constabularies with the most collisions due to eyesight
| Police Force | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Average annual change % | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Essex
|
5
|
24
|
29
|
141%
|
58
|
|
Kent
|
14
|
18
|
25
|
34%
|
57
|
|
Avon & Somerset
|
20
|
14
|
7
|
-41%
|
41
|
|
Sussex
|
10
|
12
|
16
|
26%
|
38
|
|
West Midlands
|
12
|
10
|
14
|
8%
|
36
|
|
Hampshire
|
8
|
8
|
11
|
17%
|
27
|
|
Lancashire
|
9
|
5
|
13
|
20%
|
27
|
|
Great Manchester
|
3
|
10
|
10
|
83%
|
23
|
|
Cambridge
|
7
|
8
|
6
|
-7%
|
21
|
|
Hertfordshire
|
8
|
4
|
8
|
0%
|
20
|
Nearly 190,000 drivers notified the DVLA of an eye condition over the same 3-year period. But with the number of drivers having their licences revoked so high, this suggests there could be many more needing to notify the DVLA of sight issues.
The issue is also reflected in driving test outcomes. Over the past three years, 1,499 driving tests were failed due to poor eyesight, costing learners an estimated £93,0002 in test fees. As part of the practical test, candidates must read a number plate from 20 metres away and be able to spot hazards around them, yet these figures suggest some learners are reaching test day without meeting the minimum legal vision standards.
But it’s not just learners who may be affected by eyesight problems. According to a survey of 2,000 UK drivers, these challenges are translating into real risk, with almost 1 in 4 drivers (23%) having experienced a near miss due to poor visibility or eyesight.
For some, this is a frequent challenge. More than half (57%) say they have experienced glare from LED or brighter headlights while driving, making it one of the most common visibility problems motorists face. While over a third (35%) say they struggle to see clearly around half of the time when driving in conditions with glare, such as sunlight or oncoming headlights.
Despite this, not all motorists are regularly monitoring their vision. More than 1 in 5 (21%) say they only get their eyes tested when reminded, suggesting that some may be driving with an outdated prescription and may not realise their vision can change gradually, with even small changes having the potential to affect their driving and reactions on the road.
Awareness of the rules also appears to be limited. One in 5 drivers (20%) didn’t know police can require motorists to take a roadside eyesight test as of 2025.
There is, however, a clear want for change. Over 2 in 5 (41%) believe regular eyesight checks should be encouraged in the same way MOTs are for cars, while over a third (35%) think drivers should receive eyesight testing reminders when renewing their licence.
With many drivers experiencing visibility issues and not regularly checking their eyesight, there is a growing risk of motorists getting behind the wheel without meeting the required standards. Encouraging regular eye tests and raising awareness of the rules could play a key role in improving safety for everyone on the roads.
Matt Crole-Rees, car insurance expert at Confused.com, comments:
“Good eyesight is essential for safe driving, yet these figures suggest many drivers may not be meeting the legal safety standard. Motorists must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away and have a wide enough field of vision to spot hazards around them. It’s important to be aware that eyesight can change gradually, meaning drivers may not realise their vision has worsened, even though small changes can affect how quickly you react and respond on the road.
“There are simple steps drivers can take to stay safe. Regular eye tests are key, ideally every two years or sooner if you notice any changes. If you need glasses or contact lenses to drive, you must wear them every time you get behind the wheel and keep your prescription up to date. Failing to wear required corrective lenses can also invalidate your car insurance, which could have serious consequences if you’re involved in an incident.
“It is also important to make sure your lenses are clean, as smudges and glare can reduce visibility. Drivers who struggle with bright lights, especially at night, may benefit from wearing anti-glare lenses. Taking action early can help avoid fines, penalty points or losing your licence, and most importantly, reduce the risk of being involved in a collision and keep roads safer for everyone.”
- ENDS -
Unless otherwise stated, all research was carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Confused.com OnePoll of 2,000 UK drivers. This was conducted between the 31st March and 08 April 2026.
1. In January 2026, Confused.com issued a Freedom of Information request, requesting the following information:
a. From the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA);I. Please provide the total number of driving licences revoked due to failing to meet eyesight requirements in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Ii. Please provide a breakdown of these revocations by age groups
Iii. Please provide the total number of drivers who have declared a notifiable eye condition in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
b. From UK police constabularies;
I. Please provide the total number of recorded road collisions in 2023, 2024 and 2025 where uncorrected or defective eyesight was listed as a contributory factor.
c. From Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVSA) and Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA);
I. Please provide the total number of driving tests failed due to eyesight reasons in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Ii. Please provide a breakdown of these test failures by test centre.
2. Estimated cost based on weekday price of tests costing £62 per test.
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