Eyesight & Colour Blindness Standards
The actual Home Office figures for police recruitment in England and Wales, what glasses and contact lenses change, and what a colour vision deficiency does and does not rule out. Updated 1 October 2026.
With glasses or contact lenses if you need them, you must see 6/12 in either eye and 6/6 with both eyes, 6/9 at near distance with both eyes, meet a low-contrast and visual field standard, and not be a monochromat. Most colour vision deficiencies are acceptable. The standard is a Home Office determination under regulation 10 of the Police Regulations 2003, in force since 16 September 2019.
The Eyesight Standard, In Real Numbers
Regulation 10(1)(e) of the Police Regulations 2003 says a candidate must meet the standard of eyesight determined by the Home Secretary. The current determination (Regulation 10, Annex A, issued with Home Office Circular 007/2019) sets these mandatory requirements:
| Measure | Mandatory requirement |
|---|---|
| Corrected distance acuity | 6/12 in either eye and 6/6 or better binocularly |
| Corrected near acuity | 6/9 or better binocularly |
| Corrected low-contrast distance acuity | 6/12 or better for a 10% contrast target, binocularly |
| Visual field | At least 120 degrees horizontally by 100 degrees vertically, free of large defective areas |
| Colour vision | Monochromats rejected; other deficiencies acceptable (see below) |
| Glasses and contact lenses | Acceptable; wear them where needed to reach 6/6 binocularly |
"Corrected" means with your glasses or contact lenses, not unaided. The determination says acuity should be measured with a Snellen chart or equivalent. If you do not reach the near vision standard, you should not be rejected but invited for a further test after getting a stronger prescription. The visual field may be checked with a simple confrontation test, though the determination encourages forces to use more sophisticated equipment; if the test or your medical questionnaire suggests a reduced field, you should be referred to an ophthalmologist. Minor field defects smaller than the physiological blind spot are acceptable.
The eyesight check normally happens at the recruitment medical, alongside hearing, lung function and the other checks described in our police medical guide.
The 2019 determination removed the earlier references to eye surgery. There is no national rule on laser eye surgery in the current standard, though you still have to meet the figures above. Ask the force's occupational health team if you have had surgery and want to know what evidence it will ask for.
How Colour Vision Is Assessed
The Home Office said the 2019 change removed references to the use of a particular eye test, and the current determination does not name one. Forces and their occupational health providers decide how to test. The determination does set one rule: applicants should not wear colour-correcting lenses during the colour vision test, because the test is measuring your own colour vision.
If the result suggests lowered discrimination for blue colours, the determination says you should be referred to an ophthalmologist for further assessment, including a measure of your dark adaptation.
What A Deficiency Actually Rules Out
Most candidates assume the rule is stricter than it is. The determination says:
- • Mild anomalous trichromats (the most common, mildest form) are acceptable and should be treated as normal.
- • Severe anomalous trichromats and dichromats are also acceptable, and should be instructed in coping strategies.
- • Monochromats (no colour vision) should be rejected.
The determination covers recruitment as a constable. Some specialist roles later in a career may have their own medical or vision requirements set by the force or a national standard for that role; we have not found a single national rule on colour vision for specialist roles, so ask the force if you have a particular role in mind.
Before You Apply
If you are unsure, ask an optician to check your corrected distance and near vision and your colour vision before you apply. Then run the free 60-second eligibility check to see whether anything else needs attention, and use our police jobs pages to find your force's recruitment and medical information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eyesight requirements to join the police?
The Home Office determination in force since 16 September 2019 requires corrected distance visual acuity of 6/12 in either eye and 6/6 or better with both eyes together, corrected near acuity of 6/9 or better with both eyes, corrected low-contrast distance acuity of 6/12 for a 10% contrast target with both eyes, and a visual field of at least 120 degrees horizontally by 100 degrees vertically.
Can you be a police officer if you wear glasses or contact lenses?
Yes. The determination says corrective spectacles and contact lenses are acceptable for the tasks of an operational police constable, and that correction should be worn where necessary to reach 6/6 with both eyes. All the acuity standards are for corrected vision.
Can you be a police officer if you are colour blind?
Usually, yes. The determination says monochromats (people with no colour vision) should be rejected, mild anomalous trichromats are acceptable and treated as normal, and severe anomalous trichromats and dichromats are also acceptable and should be instructed in coping strategies. Reduced blue discrimination leads to referral to an ophthalmologist.
How is colour vision tested for the police?
The 2019 determination does not name a colour vision test; the Home Office said the change removed references to a particular eye test. Forces and their occupational health providers choose the method. The only test rule in the determination is that you must not wear colour-correcting lenses during the colour vision test.
Can I wear colour-correcting glasses for the police colour vision test?
No. The determination says applicants should not wear colour-correcting lenses during the colour vision test.
Can I join the police after laser eye surgery?
The 2019 determination removed references to eye surgery, so there is no national rule on laser surgery in the current standard. You still need to meet the acuity, contrast and field standards. Ask the force's occupational health team whether it wants a settling period or surgeon's report.
What happens if I fail the near vision test?
The determination says applicants who do not reach the near vision standard should not be rejected but should be invited for a further test after obtaining a stronger prescription.
When is eyesight tested in police recruitment?
At the medical stage, after the assessments. The national recruitment site lists hearing and eyesight checks as part of the medical assessment, and Devon and Cornwall and Dorset list eyesight and colour vision tests in their occupational health medical. Bring your glasses or contact lenses, because the standard is measured with correction.
Does failing the eyesight test end my application?
Not necessarily. Apart from the near vision retest rule, forces decide how to handle borderline results, and visual field concerns lead to referral to an ophthalmologist. If you are unsure, an optician can check your corrected acuity and colour vision before you apply.
Sources (read 1 October 2026)
- Home Office: Determination under regulation 10 (Annex A), eyesight standards, police recruitment, effective 16 September 2019
- Home Office Circular 007/2019: Eyesight standards, police recruitment (removal of references to eye surgery and a particular eye test)
- Police Regulations 2003, regulation 10(1)(e)
- Joining the Police: What's involved in the medical assessment? (eyesight checked at the medical)
- Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police: Police officer selection process (eyesight and colour vision tested at the occupational health medical)
Related
The standard is set nationally and applied by each force's occupational health provider. Always confirm with the force you are applying to. This page is independent information, not medical or legal advice.