Q. We have been asked to transport a load that is 4.5m wide. ESDAL (The Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads) has stated that this falls under a Special Types General Order (STGO) – is this the case?
A. In this case, that is correct as indivisible loads which are abnormal only in respect of their dimensions and not their weight may be able to be carried on standard vehicles subject to the construction and use regulations. But loads wider than 4.3m cannot be carried under construction and use regulations and movements therefore must comply with STGO rules.
Do I need glasses?
Q. Could you advise if is it a legal requirement for a driver to notify the DVLA if they start wearing eye correction (glasses) for driving.
A. You must tell DVLA if you have any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes (excluding short/long sightedness, or if you are colour blind), or the remaining eye if you only have one eye. If a driver does have to start wearing glasses for driving, this would have to be notified to the DVLA as the driver will have a code 01 (eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses) added to their driving licence.
The minimum standard for cars is a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale. For lorry and bus drivers, you must have a visual acuity at least 0.8 (6/7.5) measured on the Snellen scale in your best eye and at least 0.1 (6/60) on the Snellen scale in the other eye.
