Drivers across the UK are being advised not to get behind the wheel until they have completed a few safety checks - and it isn’t about the car you drive.
The gov.uk website states that if you have any conditions that affect your driving, you must inform the DVLA. Failure to do so could result in a £1,000 fine, meaning before you get behind the wheel again this month, you may want to check you tick all the right boxes.
Discussing the issue for people who have a car or motorcycle licence, it explains: "You could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely. You could also be prosecuted if you have an accident."
Not only this, but a driver may be prosecuted if they have an eye condition that impacts their ability to drive and did not declare it.
The GOV.UK warns drivers: "If you’re not sure if you meet the visual standards for driving, you should get advice from your GP, optician or an eye specialist."
To tell the DVLA about any issues with your eyes, you should report your eye condition online as soon as possible. You can report your condition online here.
The motoring agency states: "If you have a condition in one eye and another condition affecting your other eye, you need to fill in and send form V1 to DVLA. The address is on the form.
"You can also use form V1 if you cannot use the online service. There are more conditions you need to report if you have a bus, coach or lorry licence", it adds
Depending on what you report, you may need to take a test. If, for example, you report a condition that affects your vision, the "DVLA may refer you for an eyesight test with their contracted optician."
It is confirmed: "If you report a medical condition that affects your vision, DVLA may refer you for an eyesight test with their contracted optician. You do not have to pay for the test.
"DVLA then considers all medical evidence provided as part of a driving licence application, including the result of the eyesight test."
If you choose to get your eyesight test from somewhere else, you can "submit the results of an eyesight test done by another optician as long as it includes an ‘Esterman visual test’."
The DVLA stresses that they do not "guarantee they will accept an eyesight test done by other opticians. You’ll need to pay for the test yourself."
In its final warning, it cautions: "You could be prosecuted if you drive without meeting the standards of vision for driving."
The visual standard for driving is the ability to read a car number plate made after September 1, 2001, with glasses or contact lenses if needed, from 20 metres away. If you are unsure if you meet this, you can ask your optician to book you in for a test.
You will want to do this in plenty of time, especially if you are a learner driver. This is because "at the start of your practical driving test you have to correctly read a number plate on a parked vehicle", the GOV.UK notes.
It concludes: "If you cannot, you’ll fail your driving test and the test will not continue. DVLA will be told and your licence will be revoked.
"When you reapply for your driving licence, DVLA will ask you to have an eyesight test with DVSA. This will be at a driving test centre. If you’re successful, you’ll still have to pass the DVSA standard eyesight test at your next practical driving test."