Health

Eyesight

All drivers must be able to clearly read a modern (post-2001) vehicle number plate from a distance of 20 metres in good daylight. You may wear glasses or contact lenses if needed. If you require them to read the number plate, you must also wear them whenever you drive.

For full details on eyesight standards for drivers, visit www.gov.uk

Fitness

You must:

  • Be medically fit to drive.

  • Be aware that some medications can affect your ability to drive safely. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist whether it’s safe to drive while taking prescription medicine.

  • Inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea — or the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland — if your health condition could affect your ability to drive, either now or in the future.

Do not drive if you feel tired or unwell. Even a mild illness, such as a cold, can make driving unsafe. If you notice a loss of concentration or start to feel unwell while driving, reduce your speed, allow extra time to react, and take a break as soon as possible. If necessary, let someone else take over the driving.

It’s also essential to be physically fit to drive and maintain full control of your vehicle at all times. Remember that, for example:

  • A twisted ankle can make it harder to operate the pedals.

  • A stiff neck can make it difficult to check blind spots or look behind when reversing.

Alcohol

Alcohol seriously affects your judgement and your ability to drive safely. You should always remember:

  • Driving with alcohol in your system is extremely dangerous.

  • There are strict penalties for driving or attempting to drive while over the legal alcohol limit.

  • If you drink in the evening, you may still be over the legal limit and unfit to drive the next morning.

Your body removes alcohol at an average rate of about one unit per hour, though this can vary from person to person. If you know how many units you’ve consumed, you can estimate how long it will take before you’re alcohol-free. To be cautious, start counting from the time you had your last drink.

To be certain you’re safe to drive the morning after drinking, you can use a home breath-testing kit. However, the only truly safe limit is zero.

You must not drive if your breath alcohol level exceeds the legal limit. For details on the legal limits, visit www.gov.uk.

Remember: If you drink, don’t drive — and if you drive, don’t drink.

Drugs

Driving while under the influence of drugs is a criminal offence. This includes certain prescription or over-the-counter medications that can impair your ability to drive safely.

The effects of drugs can be unpredictable, and you may not always notice how they affect you. Some drugs can continue to impair your driving for up to 72 hours after use.

It is also an offence to exceed the legal limits for specific drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy. Even a small amount of an illegal drug can lead to a positive test and a conviction.

Fatigue

Fatigue means feeling tired, drowsy, or lacking energy. Common symptoms include:

  • Slower reflexes

  • Poor decision-making

  • Headaches

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Muscle weakness

  • Irritability

Driving while tired greatly increases your risk of being involved in a collision.

Never start a journey if you feel tired. Always make sure you’ve had enough rest before setting out, especially on long trips.

Avoid driving between midnight and 6am, when your body’s natural rhythm makes you more likely to feel sleepy.

If you start to feel drowsy, stop in a safe place immediately—don’t wait until you’re “fighting sleep.” Fatigue can cause sudden sleep episodes or micro-sleeps, where you may lose consciousness for several seconds without realising it.

If you can’t stop right away, open a window for fresh air and find a safe place to stop as soon as possible. On motorways, pull into a service area or leave the motorway at the next exit. You must not stop on the hard shoulder or in an emergency area unless it is a genuine emergency.

Plan regular breaks to stay alert. Take at least a 15-minute rest every 2 hours of driving. This is especially important when driving at night.

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