The right to drive a car

27.11.2013

Question for written answer E-013478-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Anne E. Jensen (ALDE)

In Commission Directive 2009/112/EC of 25 August 2009, point 6 of Annex III to Directive 91/439/EEC is amended as follows: ‘(…) Where there is reason to doubt that the applicant’s vision is adequate, he/she shall be examined by a competent medical authority. At this examination attention shall be paid, in particular, to the following: visual acuity, field of vision, twilight vision, glare and contrast sensitivity, diplopia and other visual functions that can compromise safe driving.

For group 1 drivers, licensing may be considered in “exceptional cases” where the visual field standard or visual acuity standard cannot be met; in such cases the driver should undergo examination by a competent medical authority to demonstrate that there is no other impairment of visual function, including glare, contrast sensitivity and twilight vision. The driver or applicant should also be subject to a positive practical test conducted by a competent authority.’

The Commission thus explains that in ‘exceptional cases’ applicants can be subject to a practical driving test in order to assess the suitability of visually impaired applicants keeping their driving licence.

Does the Commission consider that applicants always have the right to take a driving test in cases where there are doubts as to whether their vision is good enough? Or does the Commission think that it is up to a competent medical authority to assess whether the applicant should be subject to a driving test?

OJ C 239, 23/07/2014