Driving vision standards — quick reference
Core vision criteria for private (Group 1) and commercial (Group 2) licences as applied in Australian optometric practice, aligned to the Austroads Assessing Fitness to Drive framework. Free reference — no sign-in required.
Decision support only
This tool provides clinical decision support only and does not constitute a formal fitness to drive determination. The licensing authority is solely responsible for all licence decisions. Always consult the current Austroads "Assessing Fitness to Drive" guidelines and relevant state/territory legislation. Mandatory reporting obligations are not affected by this tool.
Acuity and field standards
| Criterion | Private (Group 1) | Commercial (Group 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Binocular visual acuity | 6/12 or better 6/12–6/18 — conditional licence may be considered with review | 6/9 or better 6/9–6/12 — specialist review recommended before conditional assessment |
| Binocular horizontal visual field | ≥ 120° 110–119° — conditional licence may be considered with regular review | ≥ 140° 130–139° — specialist review recommended |
Other criteria to assess
- Central scotoma: a significant scotoma within the central 20° of the binocular field is typically incompatible with the standard — confirm against current guidelines.
- Diplopia: diplopia within the central 20° is typically incompatible with the standard. Well-established, stable peripheral diplopia may be acceptable for private driving with specialist confirmation; any persistent diplopia is typically incompatible with commercial standards. Newly acquired or changing diplopia supports advising against driving pending specialist review.
- Monocularity: monocular drivers do not meet the commercial standard. For private licences, a conditional licence may be considered where the functional eye meets the 6/12 standard with satisfactory adaptation — consider a formal adaptation assessment and annual review.
- Review intervals: conditional outcomes generally carry periodic review (commonly 12 months) — the licensing authority sets the final schedule.
Practice notes
- The licensing authority — not the examining clinician — makes all licence decisions; the clinician reports findings against the standard.
- State and territory requirements differ in reporting obligations and forms; confirm local requirements alongside the national Austroads guidance.
- Borderline results warrant documentation of the exact measured values, the advice given, and any referral made.
OptoGuide™ includes a guided fitness-to-drive assessment that applies these standards to your measured values, flags conditional outcomes and restrictions, and prepares a structured summary.