DRIVING without your prescription glasses is considered a serious offence as it may affect your sight while on the road.
Here is what you need to know about driving without your glasses and the fines you can get slammed with.
GettyYou should have an eye test every two years to keep your sight healthy and make sure you drive safely on the road[/caption]
Can I be fined for not wearing my glasses while driving?
Yes – in some cases you could be fined £1,000.
The Highway Code says drivers must be able to read a car number plate accurately from 20 metres before setting off on a journey.
If you see a 01 in the box marked 12 on the back of your licence, you’re required by law to wear them.
Failing to do so could land you with a £1,000 fine and up to three points on your driving licence.
Drivers who refuse to wear glasses despite being required to could face being charged with “driving with uncorrected defective eyesight”, which carries three penalty points and a fine based on a percentage of your income.
It could also see you charged with dangerous driving, which can lead to an unlimited fine, a road ban and even jail time in extreme cases.
Am I still covered by my insurance if I am not wearing my glasses?
Driving without glasses means there can be an increased risk of an accident happening.
Studies have shown that poor vision is one of the main causes of accidents, but it’s also one of the easiest preventable reasons.
As it’s illegal to drive without glasses for those who are required to wear them, doing so could also invalidate your car insurance.
If you end up in an accident, you could be left with a hefty bill for repairs to your car and the other person’s vehicle.
And you may also have to pay any legal costs that would have been covered by your policy too.
Should I wear glasses when driving at night?
As visibility tends to reduce as it gets darker outside, driving at night is a lot riskier than driving in the daytime in general and is particularly tricky for those with poor vision.
Driving at night can also be when lots of drivers first realise they have an eyesight problem as they struggle to see traffic signs properly when confronted with glare from oncoming vehicles and traffic lights.
Some people turn to so-called night driving glasses, but there is no scientific proof that they work and, in fact, there is evidence to suggest that the yellow tint can actually reduce visibility, according to RAC.
If you’re experiencing problems with your vision, the best thing to do is get your eyes tested to make sure you’re wearing the correct glasses for driving at night.
The official advice for getting eye tests is that you should do so at least every two years.
So even if you don’t wear glasses for driving right now, you should keep on top of having your eye tested to make sure you are safe on the road.