A prerequisite for safe participation in road traffic is optimal vision by day and night. In order to be admitted to the driving license test for classes A, B and BE, each applicant must submit an eye test documenting visual acuity. This eye test is deemed to have been passed if the visual acuity determined for both eyes, with or without visual aids (glasses, contact lenses), is at least 0.7 (visual acuity value, dimensionless unit). If the applicant does not pass this eye test or if he/she wishes to obtain a driving license for classes C, D, CE, DE or a cab driving license, an ophthalmological examination is always required.The procedureWhen preparing the driving license certificate as part of the medical examination, the focus is on the basic visual functions. The following visual functions are tested:
- Daytime visual acuity:Visual acuity is the eye’s ability to resolve small objects with detail or contrast. Testing of visual acuity is usually done using what are called Landolt rings (circles of different sizes with an opening at a random location; the patient must be able to identify the location of the opening). The following minimum requirements must be met: Any reduction in visual acuity must be corrected as far as possible or tolerable. The total visual acuity of both eyes must not fall below 0.5. In addition, the visual acuity of a single eye must not be less than 0.2, if so, the second eye must have at least a visual acuity of 0.6.
- Visual field: the visual field corresponds to the space of the outside world that is mapped and perceived on the retina (retina) when the eye is not moving. The visual field is examined by perimetry (measurement of the visual field), special attention is paid to scotomas (visual field defects). The normal visual field should have a horizontal diameter of at least 120°. The central visual field is used to fixate and identify things. It should include circa 30 °.
- Twilight ability and glare sensitivity: especially with increasing age, vision during twilight is impaired. This visual function is tested by a visual acuity sign (e.g., Landolt ring) by reducing the contrast of the environment in steps. This is done until the subject can no longer see the opening of the Landolt ring. The twilight capacity or glare sensitivity is then determined graphically.
- Eye position and ocular motility: if misaligned or restricted, double vision may result. If strabismus (squinting) or nystagmus (uncontrollable, rhythmic movements of the eyes) do not produce double images, the applicant may participate in road traffic.
- Color vision: A red deficiency is determined, for example, with the Ishihara vision charts. This is an image composed of dots. The dots differ only in hue, but not in color intensity. The subject must be able to recognize a number based on the hues.In driving license classes D, D1, DE and D1E, red blindness with an anomaly quotient below 0.5 leads to an unfitness to drive.
The driver’s license opinion must be performed by a specially qualified doctor, this applies especially to the driving license classes C-D. The expert opinion can be carried out by a:
- Ophthalmologist,
- Physician with the territorial title of “occupational medicine”,
- Physician with the additional designation “occupational medicine”,
- Physician at an assessment center for driving suitability,
- Physician of the health department or other doctor of the public administration take place.
Visual aids, such as glasses or contact lenses, should necessarily be brought to the examination. If the criteria are achieved only with the help of, for example, glasses, this is noted in the driver’s license.
Your benefit
The driver’s license examination serves the safety of every road user.
