Driving with One Eye Open

The CBR bases its decisions on the legal requirements established for this matter. The law states that you are unfit to drive immediately after the sudden loss of vision in one eye. After an adjustment period of at least three months and based on a positive recommendation from an ophthalmologist, you may be declared fit to drive again.

Everything really hinges on submitting a Self-Declaration. As a driver, you are responsible for your own safety and that of others. To be allowed to drive, you must therefore be “fit to drive” according to the law. This means being mentally and physically capable of driving. To assess your fitness to drive, the CBR asks a number of questions about your health using the “Health Declaration” form. If you have a positive recommendation from your ophthalmologist, please include it with the Health Declaration.

In the Netherlands, there is not (yet) a legal requirement to report a medical condition or a change in one’s health status to the CBR. However, there is a moral obligation: no one should endanger themselves or other road users while driving. Failing to report a medical condition and continuing to drive is therefore a personal responsibility, and the driver may be held liable for all consequences. It is therefore advisable to report such a condition to the CBR by submitting a “Health Declaration.”

Stricter rules apply to a commercial driver’s license than to a license for a car, motorcycle, or tractor. If you have recently lost vision in one eye and hold a commercial driver’s license that you need for your job, you may be allowed to keep your license. To find out if this is possible, see an ophthalmologist. You’ll also need a statement from your employer confirming that your driver’s license is necessary for your job. The CBR will send you this statement so your employer can fill it out. Based on this statement and the ophthalmologist’s recommendation, the CBR will determine whether you need to take a driving test.

If the driving test shows that you are qualified to drive, you will receive either a bus driver’s license or a truck driver’s license. Whether you receive a license for a truck or a bus depends on which vehicle you drive for work. Your bus or truck license is only valid in a specific region. This region may cover the entire Netherlands at most. Your license is valid for up to 5 years. When your license expires, the CBR will reassess whether you’re capable of driving safely. This is how they ensure you can safely operate a bus or truck on the road.

There is absolutely no reason why you cannot learn to drive or continue driving under normal circumstances. However, a number of situations may arise while driving that require a little extra attention.

• You’ll usually have little trouble on the highway. It can also help to vary your speed a bit, especially when traffic is moving at a steady pace. Most problems occur on the busy, narrow streets of big cities, but that’s actually true for everyone—even people with two good eyes!
• Before you move back to the right lane on the highway after passing another vehicle, take a good look around to make sure there isn’t another (small) car in your blind spot. An extra mirror next to your regular rearview mirror can be very helpful in this situation.
• When driving through narrow streets, you can carefully follow the vehicle in front of you. Be sure to keep a safe distance, though.
• Is there no one driving in front of you? If so, ask your fellow passenger to keep an eye on the right side while you focus on the left. Never be too shy to ask for a little help.
• Parking can sometimes be tricky. Is someone riding with you? Ask them to keep an eye out. If you’re alone, you might want to get out to see how much space is available. Under no circumstances should you let yourself be rushed—take your time. Anything is better than a dent or a scratch. Of course, these days there are also cars with parking sensors that park themselves.
• If you wear a prosthetic on your right side, attach (especially at first) an extra interior mirror to the upper left corner of the windshield. If you adjust this mirror so that you can see the rear right side window, you can reduce the blind spot on the right side and avoid having to turn your head all the way to the rear right.
• Use a panoramic mirror in your car to see behind you on the side where your field of vision is limited. A panoramic mirror provides a wide-angle view, giving you a better view of what’s happening behind you.
• Look carefully into the distance. This will help you be better prepared for side roads or other obstacles on the side of the road that you can’t see.
• Adjust your speed in busier situations or in situations where you need to keep an eye on a lot of things, such as a roundabout. After all, looking around takes more time.

• Do you have low vision even in your good eye? If so, check out this information on the Oogvereniging website.
• The CBR provides information about driving with an eye condition.
• It may also be helpful to contact the Koninklijke Visio Knowledge Center. They can provide you with tips on driving with one eye. Send an email to kennisportaal@visio.org, call 088 585 56 66, or visit their website to learn about the AutO-Mobiliteit program and view their brochure there.
• Read this interview with ophthalmologist Jaco Bleeker in the online library about driving.
• Check out this question for Maaike about keeping your Class R driver’s license after an eye removal.
• Please read this information from Koninklijke Visio about participation in traffic.