The DVLA has strict legal criteria in place to prevent people who could be a higher risk on the road from driving – and there are three main legal obligations that every UK driver needs to meet
Motorists could face fines reaching £1,000 along with up to six points on their driving licence for failing to meet their legal duties before taking to the road. Across the UK, stringent legal requirements have been established to stop higher-risk individuals from driving.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) describes these as ‘legal obligations’ and emphasises that such rigorous standards are applicable to every person in the nation planning to drive. Whilst numerous people might overlook these requirements, either deliberately or inadvertently, they ought to understand that such regulations remain in force irrespective and can lead to substantial penalties if violated.
DVLA guidance states: “These are legal requirements and apply to everyone. You may hold personal views about the law, but these do not change your legal responsibilities.If you do not meet your obligations, you may be taken to court or have to pay a fine.”
For operating a car or motorcycle, the DVLA outlines the following three legal obligations:.
- Having the correct driving licence
- Being the minimum age to drive a car or ride a motorcycle or moped
- Meet the minimum eyesight rules
Be the minimum age to drive
In the UK, you must be at least 17 years old to lawfully begin driving a car, in most circumstances.
Nevertheless, you can submit an application for a provisional driving licence when you’re 15 years and nine months old. If you’re a novice driver, it’s mandatory to display L plates on your vehicle and be supervised by either a certified instructor or a friend or family member who is over 21 and has held their full licence for at least three years.
If you fail to comply with these rules and get caught, you could face a penalty for ‘driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence’, which can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and three to six points on your licence.
Driving without an appropriate licence
If you’re caught driving a vehicle not covered by your licence, you could face up to six penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000. Bear in mind that if you’re also found to be driving without insurance, which is likely if your licence doesn’t cover the vehicle you’re driving, you could receive an unlimited fine, and in more severe cases, a driving ban could be imposed.
If you’re unsure about what types of vehicles you’re permitted to drive, you should familiarise yourself with the licence categories listed on your licence. The most common category for someone who has passed their driving test is category B, which permits you to drive a standard car.
If you wish to ride a motorcycle, your licence will need to include an A, A1, or A2 category, depending on the power output of the motorcycle.
Further details on licence categories can be found here.
Meet the minimum eyesight requ
To legally drive, you must meet the minimum eyesight requirements. This means being able to read a number plate from 20 metres away, roughly equivalent to five parked cars.
If you can’t do this unaided, you’ll need to don glasses or contact lenses. Failing to inform the DVLA about certain eye conditions could land you with a hefty fine of up to £1,000. These include:.
- nyctalopia (night blindness)
- blepharospasm
- retinitis pigmentosa
- diplopia (double vision)
- glaucoma
- diabetic retinopathy (with laser treatment)
Further details on the eyesight requirements to drive can be found here.