Eye Test for Learner Drivers: Procedure, Tips and Common Mistakes

For most people, the driving licence eye test is the very first formal step on the way to a driving licence, and it is also one of the easiest. As a learner driver, you do not need special knowledge, special preparation or a lot of money. You need your identity card, your glasses or contact lenses if you use them, and about ten minutes of your time. Yet many learner drivers feel nervous before the test, simply because they do not know what will happen. This article removes that uncertainty.

Here you will find everything a learner driver needs to know about the eye test for the driving licence: when to take it, what to bring, how the three rounds work, which mistakes are common, and how to stay calm. We also explain what happens afterwards and what to do if the result is not good enough. After reading this guide, you will walk into the optician knowing exactly what to expect, and the test will be one of the simplest parts of your driving training.

When to take the eye test as a learner driver

The best time to take the eye test is at the very beginning of your driving training, or even before your first theory lesson. You need the certificate for your application to the driving licence authority, and the authority needs time to process your file. If you do the test early, all the paperwork can run in parallel with your theory lessons, and nothing will hold you up later. Many driving schools recommend taking the test in the first week of training.

The certificate is valid for two years from the date of the test, which is normally more than enough to finish your lessons and pass the practical test. It only becomes a problem if your training is interrupted for a long time, for example by a long stay abroad or a break of many months. In that case, the certificate can expire, and you will have to repeat the test. Planning the test early and handing in your application soon after is the best way to avoid that.

What to bring to the eye test

You do not need much for the eye test. Bring your identity card or passport, so that the optician can check who you are, and bring the glasses or contact lenses you normally use. If you wear contact lenses, take your lens case and your glasses with you as well, in case a lens causes trouble. If you have a form from your driving school or from the driving licence authority, bring that too.

You do not need to bring your driving licence application, because the certificate is handed to you directly, and you add it to your application yourself. You also do not need to fast, to skip your coffee or to avoid reading before the test. The results are not affected by a normal day. All you need is your normal visual aid, if you have one, and a little patience, because the whole appointment takes about ten minutes.

How the test works: the three rounds

The eye test is carried out in three rounds, and the routine is the same everywhere in Germany. First, the optician covers your left eye and tests your right eye on its own. Then the cover is moved to the right eye, and the left eye is tested on its own. Finally, both eyes are tested together. In each round you look at an eye chart or a screen and read the symbols, which get smaller row by row. The classic symbol is the Landolt ring, a circle with a small opening, and you have to say in which direction the opening points.

You can read the exact sequence of the test in our guide to the eye test procedure, which describes each round in detail. The test is standardised under the German norm DIN 58220, so the result from any optician is accepted by every driving licence authority. The whole appointment takes about ten minutes, and you receive the certificate on the spot if you pass.

Common mistakes learner drivers make

The most common mistake is simply forgetting to bring your glasses. Many learner drivers wear glasses every day but leave them at home on the day of the test, and then they fail, even though they would have passed easily with their glasses on. Put your glasses in your bag the evening before the test, and check again before you leave the house. Contact lens wearers should check that their lenses are in and comfortable before they set off.

Another common mistake is guessing instead of looking carefully. When a symbol is at the edge of what you can see, it is tempting to call out a direction quickly, but a rushed guess is often wrong. Take your time, blink, and look at the symbol for a moment before you answer. And do not squint or lean towards the chart. Squinting and leaning change the test conditions, and the examiner will notice. A calm, honest answer is always worth more than a lucky guess.

How to stay calm before the test

It is completely normal to feel nervous before any kind of test, and the eye test is no exception. The good news is that there is nothing to be nervous about here: the test is short, painless and there are no trick questions. If you want to feel more relaxed, practise the Landolt rings at home for a few minutes before the test, so that you know exactly what to expect. Free practice charts are available online, and a short practice session is enough to make the real test feel familiar.

On the day itself, give yourself plenty of time, so that you do not arrive in a rush. Sleep well the night before, and avoid staring at your phone for hours before the appointment, because tired eyes make the test harder. If you feel nervous in the shop, tell the optician. They do this test many times a day, and they know how to put you at ease. A short chat and a deep breath are often all it takes.

Glasses and contact lenses on the day

If you wear glasses, the test is carried out with your glasses on, and your corrected vision is what counts. The requirement for a Class B licence is a visual acuity of at least 0.7 on the better eye and 0.1 on the weaker eye, with your visual aid. If your glasses are up to date, reaching that level is easy for most people. If you wear contact lenses, the same rule applies: take the test with your lenses in, and bring your glasses as a backup.

One thing to check before the test is whether your prescription is still current. If your glasses are several years old, a quick eye check before the official test can save you a failed attempt. Many opticians offer this check for free, and it takes only a few minutes. If you need new glasses, order them in good time, so that you have a few days to get used to them before the test.

After the test: what happens next

If you pass the test, you receive the official eye test certificate immediately. Keep it safe in your driving school folder and add it to your driving licence application, together with your first aid course certificate and a biometric passport photo. The certificate is valid for two years, which is normally more than enough time to finish your training. You can find an overview of all the costs involved in this phase in our guide to eye test costs.

If you do not pass, the optician will tell you why, and the solution is usually simple. In most cases, a new pair of glasses or contact lenses with a stronger prescription is enough, and you can repeat the test a few days later. The repeat test costs the same small fee as the first one, and there is no waiting period. The important thing is not to panic, because a failed eye test is not a failed driving licence, it is just a sign that your eyes need a little help.

How your driving school uses the eye test certificate

Your driving school needs your eye test certificate before you can start your practical lessons, because the school has to confirm that you meet the legal vision requirements. When you hand in the certificate, the school checks the date, the result, and the name of the optician, and then files it with your other documents. The certificate is one of the first papers the school asks for, along with your first aid course certificate and your identity card, and without it you cannot be registered for the theory test. Most driving schools accept the original certificate or a certified copy, and they will tell you which one they need. If the certificate is missing or expired, the school will ask you to get a new one before your first lesson, so it is best to bring it to your first meeting with the school.

The driving school does not keep your certificate forever, because you need the original again when you apply for the driving licence at the authority. In most cases the school makes a copy for its own files and returns the original to you, so that you can hand it in with your application. If the school keeps the original, ask for a receipt or a copy, so that you can prove that the test was done. The school also checks whether the certificate notes that you need glasses or contact lenses, because the code number 01 has to be entered for your driving licence, and your instructor needs to know that you will wear a visual aid during your lessons. If the certificate is older than two years, the school will not accept it, and you will have to take the test again before you can start.

It is a good idea to get the eye test done early, even before you choose a driving school, because the certificate is valid for two years and you can use it with any school. That way you do not have to rush to the optician when the school asks for it, and you can focus on your lessons instead. If you change driving schools, the new school will also ask for the certificate, so keep it safe and do not lose it between schools. A short call to the school before your first visit can save you a trip, because the school can tell you exactly which documents to bring and whether they need the original or a copy. Once the certificate is with the school, you can start your theory lessons and your practical training without delay.

Your checklist for your first eye test as a learner driver

If you are a learner driver, the eye test is one of the first steps on the way to your licence. Use this short checklist to make sure that you have everything you need and that nothing is forgotten.

• Book your eye test early, so that you have the certificate before your first driving lesson.
• Bring your identity card and your glasses or contact lenses to the optician.
• Ask the optician to explain the result, so that you understand your visual acuity.
• Hand the certificate to your driving school, and keep a copy for your own records.
• If you do not pass, ask the optician what to do next, and book a new test when you are ready.

Conclusion

For a learner driver, the eye test is one of the simplest steps on the way to a driving licence. It takes about ten minutes, costs less than ten euros, and the result is available immediately. Book it early, bring your identity card and your glasses or contact lenses, take your time with the Landolt rings, and do not guess. If your glasses are up to date and you stay calm, you will almost certainly pass on the first try, and then you can focus on your theory lessons and your first driving lesson with the paperwork already sorted.

Frequently asked questions

When should I take the eye test as a learner driver?

At the beginning of your training, or even before your first theory lesson. The certificate is valid for two years, and doing the test early avoids delays later.

What do I need to bring to the eye test?

Your identity card or passport, and your glasses or contact lenses if you use them. Contact lens wearers should also bring their glasses as a backup.

How much does the eye test cost?

A maximum of 6.43 euros plus VAT, about 7.65 euros in total, and often a flat rate of around ten euros.

How long does the eye test take?

About ten minutes in total, including the certificate, which you receive on the spot if you pass.

What are the three rounds of the test?

First the right eye alone, then the left eye alone, and finally both eyes together, using Landolt rings or a similar eye chart.

What happens if I fail the eye test?

In most cases, new glasses or contact lenses with the right prescription are enough. You can repeat the test a few days later, and most people pass on the second attempt.

Do I have to take the eye test before my first driving lesson?

You do not have to take the eye test before your first driving lesson, but you need the certificate before the driving licence authority will accept your application, and you need the application before your practical test. Most driving schools ask for the certificate at the start, so it is best to do the test early. That way, you know whether you need glasses before you start learning, and there is no delay later.

What should I do if I am nervous about failing the eye test?

Talk to the optician before the test and tell them that you are nervous, because they are used to it and will take their time. Remember that the test only measures your vision, and that glasses usually solve the problem if your visual acuity is too low. If you fail, you will know exactly what to do next, and you can repeat the test after you have corrected your vision. There is no limit on the number of attempts.