Urgent warning over new driving rule as motorists face being hit by £1,000 fine if they don’t take action

MOTORISTS have been issued an urgent warning over a new driving rule as they face being slapped with £1,000 fines.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has made changes to the regulations around medical conditions that can affect your ability to stay safe on the roads.

Car owners must notify the DVLA if they suffer from any such condition in order to keep their licence.

The recent changes involve the list of eye conditions that could reduce your ability to drive.

These include glaucoma, double vision, partial loss of sight and night blindness, among others.

The full list can be found online, but anyone who develops one of the issues named on it must report it to the DVLA immediately.

Penalties for not doing so can include a fine of up to £1,000 and even a loss of licence.

A spokesperson for the agency said: "Drivers should notify DVLA of the onset or worsening of any medical condition that could affect their driving."

However, this only applies if the condition affects both eyes or you have a loss of sight in either eye.

If only one eye is affected and you still have sight in both, you do not need to contact the DVLA.

Check with your GP if you are uncertain whether you meet the minimum driving requirements.

It comes after several conditions were removed from the list after consultation with the Association of Optometrists.

The group had raised concerns that some of the issues previously listed, including having tunnel vision or receiving retinal treatment, were too broad and would apply to too many drivers.

Adam Sampson, the association's chief executive, told : "The original list of conditions would have almost certainly applied to most, if not all, drivers.

"We’re pleased to see that the DVLA have listened and acted on our advice and have now published a much-reduced list – which will also be a relief to many drivers on UK roads, who faced the threat of a £1,000 fine."

The DVLA confirmed it will continuously review the list in consultation with medical experts.

Meanwhile, drivers were warned about another DVLA change as a major update to car tax rules came in earlier this month.