Driving vision standards: quick reference
Core vision standards for private and commercial driver licences in New Zealand, from the NZTA guide for health practitioners. Free reference. No sign-in required.
Decision support only
Source
NZTA, Medical aspects of fitness to drive: a guide for health practitioners (24-EX-055, section 6 Visual standards, November 2024 edition). The acuity and field standards restate clause 38 of the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule 1999. Check the current NZTA guide before completing an assessment.
Acuity and field standards
| Criterion | Private | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Visual acuity | 6/12 with both eyes together (or in the seeing eye if monocular), with or without lenses. | 6/9 with both eyes together, and 6/18 or better in each eye. |
| Visual field | A binocular horizontal field of 140°, and no significant defect within 20° of fixation. | The same: 140° horizontal, and no significant defect within 20° of fixation. |
| Worse eye between 6/18 and 6/60 | Generally fit to drive when the combined acuity and field standards are met. Examine the better eye for pathology. | Unfit in law. NZTA can consider an exemption only on a licence application, case by case. |
| Monocular (worse eye worse than 6/60) | Generally fit to drive once adaptation has been achieved, with 6/12 in the seeing eye. | The Rule makes no provision for monocular vision. NZTA may grant licences to existing holders where there are sound reasons. |
| Diplopia | May drive if remedied with prism or occlusion and adapted, or if present only in a very limited direction of gaze. | Should not drive with diplopia. NZTA may consider a licence after a favourable optometrist or ophthalmologist assessment. |
- Private: class 1 or 6, or D, F, R, T or W endorsement.
- Commercial: classes 2, 3, 4 or 5, or P, V, I or O endorsement.
Your obligations
- If a patient is medically unfit to drive and likely to drive, you must advise NZTA (section 18, Land Transport Act 1998). A registered optometrist who notifies in good faith is protected from civil or professional liability for the disclosure.
- An eyesight or medical certificate is accepted only if it is no more than 60 days old.
- Exemptions from the acuity and field standards can only be granted by NZTA when the patient applies for a licence.
Licence conditions you can recommend
- Must wear prescribed lenses
- Occlusion to be worn (diplopia)
- Daytime driving only
- Regular review — e.g. a yearly check by an optometrist or ophthalmologist
OptoGuide™ includes a guided fitness-to-drive assessment that applies the NZTA standards to your measured values, lists the licence conditions to recommend and the points only NZTA can decide, and prepares a structured summary.
Also on OptoGuide: the ocular conditions the clinical library covers, each with its recognition picture and evidence base.