Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
632 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the standard of eye sight required to hold a driving licence for Classes E, B, C1, C, D1, D, M and W; if he will set out any changes to the required standard in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27988/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe eyesight requirements for driving licences are set out in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Learner Drivers) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 537 of 2006), as amended by the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 471 of 2008) and by the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 544 of 2010). Irish law in this regard conforms to requirements set out in European legislation. The current Regulations relating to eyesight, as set out in S.I. No. 544 of 2010, represent the transposition into Irish law of Council Directives 112 and 113 of 2009.
The Regulations divide licences into two groups in respect of eyesight standards. The first covers licences to drive vehicles of category A1, A, B, EB, M or W. The principal requirement in this group is binocular visual acuity, with corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 0.5 when using both eyes together. The horizontal visual field should be at least 120 degrees, the extension at least 50 degrees left and right and 20 degrees up and down. No defects should be present within a radius of the central 20 degrees.
The second group relates to licences to drive vehicles of category C1, C, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1 or ED. In these cases the principal requirement is visual acuity, with corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 0.8 in the better eye and at least 0.1 in the worse eye. The horizontal visual field with both eyes should be at least 160 degrees, the extension at least 70 degrees left and right and 30 degrees up and down. No defects should be present within a radius of the central 30 degrees.
The Regulations contain further details regarding particular illnesses and conditions. As the Regulations are publicly available, I would advise the Deputy to consult them directly.
