Eyesight standards

Eyesight standards and requirements

You may need to undergo an eyesight test if you are:

• applying to drive or ride vehicles of a different licence class
• applying for an extraordinary licence
• applying for a new licence after a previous licence was cancelled
• renewing a driver’s licence that has expired by more than 6 months
• only have vision in one eye or have an existing eye condition.

To pass the test, you'll be asked to read an eyesight chart from the top line down.

• first, with one eye covered
• then, with the other eye covered
• lastly, with both eyes open.

Making more than 2 errors on any line of the chart means you haven't met the required standard for that line. The line on the test you can read clearly gives you a visual acuity score.

Wearing glasses or contact lenses while driving

If you meet eyesight standards only whilst wearing glasses or contact lenses, a condition will be added to your licence requiring you to wear them whenever you drive or ride.

If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses for driving and haven’t previously notified the Department of Transport (DoT), please let us know via our online form Report a medical condition and we'll update your driver’s licence record accordingly.

What to do if your eyesight improves

If your health professional (i.e. doctor, optometrist or ophthalmologist) advises that you no longer need visual aids whilst driving, you will need to complete a visual acuity assessment to confirm this. Your health professional will send your updated vision assessment to DoT in writing, including:

• your latest visual acuity test results (based on the Snellen chart)
• the class or classes of vehicles you intend to drive.

You can email the letter to DoT via driverservices@transport.wa.gov.au

Or post it to:

GPO Box R1290
Perth WA 6844 

For updates on your application status, call us on 13 11 56.

Commercial vehicle drivers or riders

Heavy vehicle drivers (class MR and above)

• Vision test on initial application, and when applying for additional classes.
• Annual vision test from age 80.

Minimum eyesight requirement: better eye 6/9 and worse eye 6/18.

Public passenger vehicle drivers or riders: F (bus) and T (taxi) extension applicants

• Vision test on initial application and every 5 years on licence renewal or pro rata based on medical assessment provided by your health professional.

Minimum eyesight requirement: better eye 6/9, worse eye 6/18.

Dangerous goods vehicle drivers

• Vision test on initial application, then every 3 years.

Minimum eyesight requirement: better eye 6/9, worse eye 6/18.

Driving instructors

• Vision test on initial application and every 5 years on licence renewal or pro rata based on medical assessment provided by your health professional.

In all cases, if the minimum vision standard is not met

• Eyesight must be retested by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist.
• A written report must be provided to DVS certifying that your vision meets the required standard.

Note:

Applicants who only have vision in one eye will be referred to an optometrist/ophthalmologist for further assessment.

Private vehicle drivers or riders (classes C, R and LR)

Vision test requirement

Vision test required on initial application and then annually from age 80.

Minimum vision standard

With one eye (or both) at least 6/12.

If minimum vision standard is not met

Eyesight must be retested by a health professional, ophthalmologist or optometrist. A written report must be provided to Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) certifying that your vision meets the required standard.

Note:

Applicants who only have vision in one eye will be referred to an optometrist/ophthalmologist for further assessment.