

If you’ve forgotten your glasses or lenses (or anything else you need), tell the examiner at the start of the test. Put up a fuss, and the examiner will fail you. You can’t take them out for manoeuvres, otherwise you’ll be reminded that it’s illegal. If you need to wear them to read the number plate, that means you need them to drive all the time, and you should keep them on (or in) for the duration. If your English isn’t great or you have difficulty reading, you can write down what you see rather than saying it. It may seem a little mercenary to fail someone without even starting the engine, but if you can’t read a number plate at that distance you might not be able to see a child run out in front of you, or see a road sign or traffic light. And if that one doesn’t do the trick, then it’s a straight fail. If you still don’t get it right, he’ll pick another number plate. If you don’t get that right, he’ll let you move forward until you’re just at the minimum distance (see above). If you don’t get it right the first time, the examiner will choose a different number plate.

You’ll be given three chances to read a number plate at the correct distance.
UK DRIVING TEST EYESIGHT REGISTRATION

