Almost the 80% of Spaniards have some vision problem, according to the report “The Vision in Spain 2020” that the DGT itself manages, so a good part of those who get behind the wheel drive with glasses or contact lenses in. If you wear glasses or contact lenses and you look at your license, you will see that in the section 12 On the back appears a code 01 accompanied by subcodes 01.01for those who wear glasses, 01.02 for those who wear contact lenses and 01.06for those who alternate both options.
The obligation to wear glasses is reflected on the back of the card itself.
This requirement goes back a long way. The first legal framework that introduced psychophysical examinations to obtain a driving license in Spain came with the Highway Code of 1934the standard that for decades established the minimum skills required of any aspiring driver. It was precisely under that legal umbrella where it was established, among other obligations, that certain drivers must wear glasses when driving, in addition to a second spare pair saved in the car in case the first ones broke or were lost during the journey.
Ignorance of the norm
This obligation of the second pair, however, carries more than two decades out of the lawalthough popular belief takes time to disappear. But why do many still believe that it is mandatory to wear them? The answer is simple: they got their license almost three decades ago or more and they never found out of the change in the norm. This change came with the Royal Decree 772/1997, of May 30which approved the new General Driver Regulations and repealed a good part of the old Highway Code of 1934, including that chapter dedicated to psychophysical conditions.
The confusion is especially felt by those who obtained their license before 1997.
Since then, and as confirmed by the current General Driver Regulationsapproved by the Royal Decree 818/2009the rule requires the use of glasses or contact lenses if we need them, but without mentioning at any time that we have to carry other spare. Annex IV itself states it clearly: “if the use of corrective lenses is necessary to achieve the required visual acuity, the obligation to use them while driving must be expressed in the psychophysical aptitude report.” Nothing else.
Sanctions
Dispensing with glasses or contact lenses when you are obliged to wear them is considered a serious violationpenalized with a fine of 200 euros which reduces to 100 euros if prompt payment is accepted, although this penalty lacks the withdrawal of points of the card. So the next time someone insists on leaving a second pair of glasses in the glove compartment out of legal obligation, you know you can tell them the whole story, although bringing them is still a pretty sensible idea.