33,000 licences revoked over eyesight – a growing compliance risk for fleets

More than 33,000 drivers have had their licences revoked or refused in the past four years due to failing eyesight standards, highlighting a compliance risk that often goes unnoticed.

Figures from DVLA show the issue isn’t limited to older drivers. While those aged 70-79 account for the highest number of cases, more than 6,500 drivers under 55 have also lost their licences.

For fleets, this is as much a grey fleet risk as it is a company vehicle issue. Employees using their own cars for work are harder to monitor, and eyesight checks often fall outside formal fleet processes. That creates a gap where drivers may unknowingly be operating below the legal standard.

Under current rules, drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres, and police can revoke licences immediately at the roadside if they fail. The difficulty is that eyesight deteriorates gradually, so issues can go unnoticed until they become a compliance or safety problem.

Keeping tabs on driver health factors like eyesight can be time-consuming and costly, particularly across large or dispersed fleets. However, there are solutions that build these checks into existing processes. Providers such as Licence Check can help ensure driver eligibility is monitored consistently, while AA DriveTech supports driver awareness around legal standards. Telematics platforms like Lightfoot can also flag changes in driving behaviour that may point to underlying issues.

The above services are provided by FleetWise Trusted Brands. Explore the shortlist here.

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