Car driving eyesight checks




It almost goes without saying that anyone who uses a vehicle on public road should ensure that their eyesight is up to scratch. If a driver causes an accident and they are found to have an eyesight issue that has not been corrected or the driver is not wearing appropriate corrective glasses or lenses, you may not be covered by your insurance.

If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses it is your responsibility to get your eyes checked regularly in accordance with your opticians recommendations. By the same token it is also your responsibility to get your eyes checked by a qualified optician if you suspect that you have a problem with your vision.

Your eyesight and the driving test

Before you take your test you will be given a simple eyesight test by the examiner to check that your eyesight meets a basic standard. The test will involve being able to read a number plate easily at a distance of approximately 20 metres. If you are unable to read it, you will be asked to read a second number plate at the same distance, and if you fail this, you will be given one more chance with a third number plate. If you fail on the final attempt you will fail the driving test and not be allowed to continue.

This may not be a major problem as it may just mean that you will have to get an appointment with an optician, and get some prescription glasses or contact lenses.


If you develop an eyesight problem following your test

As mentioned before, it is your responsibility to get your eyes checked and rectify the problem. If you need glasses in order to see properly after that, you are required by law to wear them when you are driving. If you cause an accident and it is discovered that you have a vision problem or you were not wearing your corrective glasses, you may not be covered by your insurance policy, and may also be liable to prosecution.

If you are prosecuted for driving with defective vision you could receive a fine of up to £1000, 3 penalty points and even face possible disqualification from driving.

Call us now on 02392 484 244 for free help and advice from one of our experienced claims advisors.


No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury