The standard in TfL's policy
For drivers accepted on or after 2 April 2013, Table 3 of TfL's driver policy sets:
- at least 6/7.5 in the better eye, and at least 6/60 in the worse eye, with glasses or contact lenses if you need them;
- glasses, if you wear them, of no more than plus 8 dioptres;
- no standard for your eyesight without correction.
The policy itself says only that applicants must meet the DVLA Group 2 standard; we read the 2013 row of the table as the one that applies to new applicants. Your doctor checks it at the medical.
Older drivers' standards
Drivers first accepted earlier keep the standard that applied then, for example 6/9 and 6/12 for those accepted between 1983 and 2012, for as long as they stay continuously licensed.
Sources
- TfL, Taxi and private hire driver policy, version 6.0, 1 September 2026, section 4.19.4, Table 3
From the guide: How to become a London taxi driver