Road Traffic And Vehicles Citation, commencement and interpretation 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 and shall come into operation on 1 st August 2013. 2 In these Regulations “the principal Regulations” means the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 . Amendment to regulation 49 (disabilities prescribed in respect of Group 1 and 2 licences) 2 In regulation 49 of the principal Regulations omit paragraph (1)(a). Amendment to regulation 50 (disabilities prescribed in respect of Group 1 licences) 3 1 Regulation 50 of the principal Regulations is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3). 2 For paragraphs (1) and (2) substitute— 1 Impairment of vision is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(2) of the Order as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or a holder of, a Group 1 licence, who is unable to satisfy the following standards— a the Group 1 visual acuity standard in paragraph (1A); b the Group 1 visual field standard in paragraph (1C); and c in the case of a person with diplopia or sight in only one eye, the adaptation standard in paragraph (1D). 1A The Group 1 visual acuity standard is— a a visual acuity of at least 6/12 (decimal 0.5); and b the ability to read in good daylight a registration mark which is affixed to a motor vehicle and contains characters of the prescribed size, in either case with corrective lenses if necessary. 1B For the purposes of paragraph (1A)(b), “characters of the prescribed size” means characters 79 millimetres high and 50 millimetres wide in a case where they are viewed from a distance of— a 12 metres, by an applicant for, or the holder of, a licence authorising the driving of a vehicle of a class included in category K; and b 20 metres, in any other case. 1C The Group 1 visual field standard is— a a measurement of at least 120 degrees on the horizontal plane; b an extension of at least 50 degrees left and an extension of at least 50 degrees right; c an extension of at least 20 degrees above and an extension of at least 20 degrees below the horizontal plane; and d no significant defects present within a radius of the central 20 degrees. 1D The adaptation standard for a person having diplopia or sight in only one eye is that since developing that condition, there has been— a an appropriate period of adaptation; and b clinical confirmation of full adaptation. 1E Impairment of vision is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(4)(b) of the Order in relation to an applicant for a Group 1 licence who fails to meet the visual field standard, where that person satisfies the following conditions— a the visual acuity standard in paragraph (1A) is met; b any visual field defect has been present for at least one year; c that defect was caused by an isolated event or a non-progressive condition; d there is no other condition or pathology present which is regarded as progressive and likely to affect the visual field; e there is clinical confirmation of full functional adaptation; f the applicant has sight in both eyes; g there is no uncontrolled diplopia; h there is no other impairment of visual function, including glare sensitivity, contrast sensitivity or impairment of twilight vision; i since developing any visual field defect, the applicant has passed a disability assessment test; and j the Department is satisfied that the driving of a vehicle by that person in accordance with the licence is not likely to be a source of danger to the public. 2 Epilepsy is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(2) of the Order as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or a holder of, a Group 1 licence, who has had two or more epileptic seizures during the previous five year period. 2A Epilepsy is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(4)(b) of the Order in relation to an applicant for a Group 1 licence who satisfies the conditions set out in paragraph (2F) and who has either— a been free from any unprovoked seizure during the period of one year immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted; or b during that one year period has suffered no unprovoked seizure other than a permitted seizure. 2B A permitted seizure for the purposes of paragraph (2A)(b) is— a a seizure, which can include a medication adjustment seizure, falling within only one of the permitted patterns of seizure; b a medication adjustment seizure where— i that medication adjustment seizure does not fall within a permitted pattern of seizure; ii previously effective medication has been reinstated for at least 6 months immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted; iii that seizure occurred more than 6 months before the date when the licence is granted; and iv there have been no other unprovoked seizures since that seizure; or c a seizure occurring before a medication adjustment seizure permitted under sub-paragraph (b), where— i that earlier seizure had, to that point, formed part of only one permitted pattern of seizure and had occurred prior to any medication adjustment seizure not falling within the same permitted pattern; or ii it is a medication adjustment seizure, which was not followed by any other type of unprovoked seizure, except for another medication adjustment seizure. 2C A permitted pattern of seizure for the purposes of paragraph (2B), is a pattern of seizures— a occurring during sleep, where— i there has been a seizure while asleep more than one year before the date when the licence is granted; ii there have been seizures only while asleep between the date of that seizure while asleep and the date the licence is granted; and iii there has never been an unprovoked seizure while awake; b occurring during sleep, where— i there has been a seizure while asleep more than three years before the date when the licence is granted; ii there have been seizures only while asleep between the date of that seizure while asleep and the date the licence is granted; and iii there is also a history of unprovoked seizure while awake, the last of which occurred more than three years before the date when the licence is granted; or c without influence on consciousness or the ability to act, where— i such a seizure has occurred more than one year before the date when the licence is granted; ii there have only been such seizures between the date of that seizure and the date when the licence is granted; and iii there has never been any other type of unprovoked seizure. 2D An isolated seizure is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(2) of the Order as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or a holder of, a Group 1 licence— a in a case where there is an underlying causative factor that may increase future risk, where such a seizure has occurred during the previous one year period; and b in any other case, where such a seizure has occurred during the previous 6 month period. 2E An isolated seizure is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(4)(b) of the Order in relation to an applicant for a Group 1 licence— a who— i in a case where there is an underlying causative factor that may increase future risk, has had such a seizure more than one year immediately before the date when the licence is granted; and ii in any other case, has had such a seizure more than 6 months immediately before the date when the licence is granted; b who has had no other unprovoked seizure since that seizure; and c who satisfies the conditions set out in paragraph (2F). 2F The conditions are that— a so far as is practicable, the applicant complies with the directions regarding treatment for epilepsy or isolated seizure, including directions as to regular medical check-ups made as part of that treatment, which may from time to time be given by a registered medical practitioner or one of the clinical team working under the supervision of that registered medical practitioner; b if required to do so by the Department, the applicant has provided a signed declaration agreeing to observe the condition in sub-paragraph (a); c if required by the Department, there has been an appropriate medical assessment by a registered medical practitioner; and d the Department is satisfied that the driving of a vehicle by the applicant in accordance with the licence is not likely to be a source of danger to the public. . 3 For paragraph (7) substitute— 7 In this regulation— a in relation to eyesight— i references to measurements of visual acuity are references to visual acuity measured as decimals or fractions on the Snellen Scale; and ii “sight in only one eye” means there is total functional loss of vision in one eye, or use of only one eye; b in relation to epilepsy and isolated seizure— i “epilepsy” means the occurrence of two or more unprovoked seizures over a period which exceeds 24 hours and “epileptic seizure” means any such seizure; ii “isolated seizure” means— aa one or more unprovoked seizures occurring over a single period which does not exceed 24 hours; or bb one or more unprovoked seizures occurring over a period which does not exceed 24 hours, where that period of seizure has occurred more than five years after the last unprovoked seizure; iii “medication adjustment seizure” means a seizure occurring during and because of documented physician advised substitution, reduction or withdrawal of anti-epilepsy medication; iv “provoked seizure” means a seizure which has a recognisable causative factor which is reliably avoidable and which is not a medication adjustment seizure; and v “unprovoked seizure” means a seizure which is not a provoked seizure; c in relation to diabetes— i “impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia” means the inability to detect the onset of hypoglycaemia because of a total absence of warning symptoms; and ii “severe hypoglycaemia” means an episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person. . Amendment to regulation 51 (disabilities prescribed in respect of Group 2 licences) 4 1 Regulation 51 of the principal Regulations is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (8). 2 For paragraphs (1) and (2) substitute— 1 Impairment of vision is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(2) of the Order as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or the holder of, a Group 2 licence who— a is unable to satisfy the standards in paragraph (2); b has sight in only one eye, unless that person— i held an obsolete vocational licence on 1st April 1991, provided— aa the Department knew of the disability before 1st January 1991; and bb the additional conditions in paragraph (5) are satisfied; or ii is an excepted licence holder; c is a person to whom paragraph (3)(c) applies, who— i is able to meet the relevant standard of visual acuity prescribed in that sub-paragraph only with the aid of corrective lenses; and ii ii)is unable to meet the standard for corrective lenses set out in paragraph (4A); or d suffers from uncontrolled diplopia. 2 The standards to be satisfied for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) are— a the Group 1 visual acuity standard in regulation 50(1A); b other than in the case of an excepted licence holder, the relevant Group 2 additional visual acuity standard in paragraph (3); and c the Group 2 visual field standard in paragraph (4). . 3 In paragraph (3)— a in the first line, after “The relevant”, insert “Group 2 additional”; and b for sub-paragraph (c) substitute— c in the case of any other person, a measurement of visual acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/7.5 (decimal 0.8) in the better eye and at least 6/60 (decimal 0.1) in the worse eye. . 4 For paragraphs (4) and (5) substitute— 4 The Group 2 visual field standard is— a a measurement of at least 160 degrees on the horizontal plane; b an extension of at least 70 degrees left and an extension of at least 70 degrees right; c an extension of at least 30 degrees above and an extension of at least 30 degrees below the horizontal plane; d no defect is present within a radius of the central 30 degrees; and e no other impairment of visual function, including glare sensitivity, contrast sensitivity or impairment of twilight vision. 4A The corrective lenses standard requires that there is not— a poor toleration of the correction made by the lenses; or b an inability to meet the visual acuity standard in paragraph (3)(c) except with glasses having a power exceeding plus eight dioptres. 5 The additional conditions for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(i)(bb) are— a the visual acuity in the sighted eye is— i in the case of a person who also held such a licence on 1st January 1983, no worse than 6/12 (decimal 0.5); or ii in any other case, no worse than 6/9 (decimal 0.67); b the applicant satisfies the Department that there has been adequate recent driving experience and that during the period of ten years immediately before the date of the application, there has been no involvement in any road accident where the applicant’s defective eyesight was a contributory factor; and c the Department is satisfied that the driving of a vehicle by the applicant, in accordance with the licence, is not likely to be a source of danger to the public. . 5 For paragraph (8) substitute— 8 Epilepsy is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(2) of the Order as a relevant disability in relation to an applicant for, or a holder of, a Group 2 licence, where two or more epileptic seizures have occurred, or that person has been prescribed medication to treat epilepsy, during the previous ten year period. 8A Epilepsy is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(4)(b) of the Order in relation to an applicant for a Group 2 licence who— a in the case of a person whose last epileptic seizure was an isolated seizure, satisfies the conditions in paragraph (8C) and (8D); or b in any other case, satisfies the conditions set out in paragraph (8D) and who, for a period of at least ten years immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted has— i been free from any epileptic seizure; and ii has not been prescribed any medication to treat epilepsy. 8B An isolated seizure is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(2) of the Order as a relevant disability, in relation to an applicant for, or a holder of, a Group 2 licence, where during the previous five year period, such a seizure has occurred, or that person has been prescribed medication to treat epilepsy or a seizure. 8C An isolated seizure is prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(4)(b) of the Order in relation to an applicant for a Group 2 licence who satisfies the conditions set out in paragraph (8D) and who, for a period of at least five years immediately preceding the date when the licence is granted— a has been free from any unprovoked seizure; and b has not been prescribed medication to treat epilepsy or a seizure. 8D The conditions are that— a if required by the Department, there has been an appropriate medical assessment by a neurologist; and b the Department is satisfied that the driving of a vehicle by the applicant, in accordance with the licence, is not likely to be a source of danger to the public. . 6 In paragraph (9)— a for sub-paragraph (a) substitute— a references to measurements of visual acuity and to “sight in only one eye” have the same meaning as in regulation 50(7)(a); ; b after sub-paragraph (c) add— d the expressions “epilepsy”, “epileptic seizure”, “provoked seizure” and “unprovoked seizure” have the same meaning as in regulation 50(7)(b); and e “isolated seizure” has the same meaning as in regulation 50(7)(b)(ii), except that “ten years” is substituted for “five years” in sub-paragraph (bb) of that definition. . 7 In Table 1— a entry number 1 is omitted; and b for entry number 2, in column 2, substitute— Acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/9 (decimal 0.66) in the better eye or at least 6/12 (decimal 0.5) in the worse eye, or uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 (decimal 0.05) in at least one eye. . 8 In Table 2, for entry number 1, in column 2, substitute— Acuity (with the aid of corrective lenses if necessary) of at least 6/9 (decimal 0.66) in the better eye or at least 6/12 (decimal 0.5) in the worse eye, or uncorrected acuity of at least 3/60 (decimal 0.05) in at least one eye. . Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 24 th June 2013 Iain Greenway A senior officer of the Department of the Environment