Appearing on this Site, this news article attributed to a well-known High St Optometrist.

http://www.iosh.co.uk/ne...?i=N0007081262860659366A

Anyone able to confirm or provide details here? The "EU Legislation" is not referenced!

Ron, I believe that it is

Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on driving licenses (Recast) [Official Journal L 403 of 30.12.2006].

I too picked up on this and spoke to our Transport Manager he obtained the following from The FTA.

The press release has generated some interest, albeit the content is slightly misleading. The reality is that –

In August 2009 the EU Commission issued two amendments, (2009/112/ EC & 2009/113/ EC) one would amended our existing rules, namely Annex III to Directive 91/439/EEC, perhaps more commonly known as the 2nd European Directive on Driving Licences, and the other which amends 2006/126/EC (the 3rd Directive). The 3rd Directive is currently at its consultation stage and is the one we discussed at the meeting on Tuesday. Amendment 2009/112/ EC will be introduced in 2010, with 2009/113/ EC introduced on the 19th January 2013.

As the 3RD Directive requires that a driver holding a vocational licence (Group 2) will be required to renew the administrative validity of the licence every 5 years from 2013 it could be assumed that an eye sight test would be required at the time of renewal. I have spoken to DVLA on two occasions regarding these amendments and they are adamant that the proposals regarding vocational licence renewal every 5 years as outlined in the consultation will not require a separate eyesight test. Existing rules which govern licence renewal after the age of 45 will continue.

DVLA will be producing a consultation later this year on medical issue

It sounds rather as though the Optometerists are touting for work.

Best Regards

Geoff

Bob I think this is a key point you make. I suffer from short sightedness which at times can change quite rapidly. I would hazard a guess that there have been times when had I have been pulled over and tested i would have certainly failed. I also find it uncomfortable driving whilst wearing glasses as contacts give me a full sight range where my glasses force me to need to turn my head thus slowing down my reaction times. There must be many cases across the country that are similar to mine and I would welcome a better test regardless of the extra cost.

Ron, as the text refers clearly to vocational driving licences, I share your assessment of the application.

Assuming that the text in this thread is correct, it does not mention Ordinary Driving Licences.

I can drive my own car on company business with an ordinary licence and thus I am not affected since the controls appear to be based on the licence type and the activity is irrelevant. However if I drive a company vehicle that requires a valid vocational driving licence I will be affected.