R 300
Motility disorders and diplopia in traffic situations according to the new german Fahrerlaubnis- Verordnung (FeV)
G. H. Kolling
The minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving a power-driven vehicle are listed in annex III of the official journal of the european communities of 24th august 1991. Drivers are classified in two groups:
Group 1: drivers of vehicles of categories A, B, BE, A1 and B1,
Group 2: drivers of vehicles of categories C and D with subcategories.
For group 1 no standards are set, because applicants who use only one eye are admitted. The german FeV from first of january 1999 normal binocular vision in the central part without any head tilt is mandatory, and in cases of monocularity normal motility of the eye and no nystagmus are necessary to get the driving license. The questions will be discussed whether an absolutely straight head position and absolutely no nystagmus are prerequisits to reach the goal. In special cases specific answers are given.
For group 2 diplopia is not allowed only. In the german FeV the driving license shall not be issued to drivers suffering from strabismus not even in intermittent cases. In these definitions drivers are not mentioned suffering from well controlled latent strabismus or from diplopia looking 40° downwards. If they have normal and constant binocular single vision in the central field of gaze (f.i. 40° looking downwards, 30° looking to either side and 25° looking upwards), these drivers should get their licences without restrictions.
The german ophthalmological society recommends that for drivers of vehicles of category D (i.e. driving an omnibus with more than 9 persons) stronger standards are necessary than for drivers of taxicabs. A middle position seems advisible for drivers of motor lorries.
In cases of renewing older driving licenses first issued before 31st december 1998 the former minimum standards of physical fitness for driving vehicles are still valid. These are summarized in the Anlage XVII of the Straßen-Verkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung. This recommendation is given on page 2243 of the new FeV.
University eyeclinic, department of strabismology and neuroophthalmology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, D - 69120 Heidelberg, Germany