To pass eye test for a driver’s license in South Africa, your visual acuity and field of vision (visual field) are two of the most important factors for driving safely on the road.
This is why an eye test is so important when applying for your learner’s or driver’s licence. The eye test uses the Snellen chart which consists of several rows starting with larger alphabets from the top and gradually decreasing in size towards the bottom.
To qualify for a car driver’s licence in South Africa, you need to meet the minimum eyesight standard according to the Snellen rating. The minimum is a visual acuity of 6/12 (20/40) for each eye and a visual field of 120 degrees is needed to safely operate a vehicle. If you need prescription lenses to pass this eye test then this must be declared on your driver’s licence.
Night-time driving and glare
Driving in the dark requires you to focus and concentrate a lot more than when driving in daylight. Naturally, your visibility is significantly lower, but there is also the added challenge of glare from streetlights and oncoming headlights. Glare in your eyes can be temporarily blinding and put you in danger of a collision.
While glaring headlights can happen to all drivers at night, seeing halos or starbursts around lights could be due to other eyesight issues of varying levels of severity. This can range from something as simple as an incorrect lens prescription to a condition as serious as a cataract. If you’re required to drive regularly at night and are experiencing symptoms, it’s worth having your vision checked and corrected as soon as possible.
In the meantime, take extra measures by improving visibility for night driving:
- Ensure windows and both windshields are thoroughly cleaned inside and out.
- Keep your headlamps and clean to ensure proper lighting on the road ahead.
- Get your headlamps checked with your regular vehicle service to ensure bulbs are in proper working order.
There are two outcomes if you fail your eye test at the traffic department and have a screening done
at your optometrist:
1. If you fail the optometrist screening and a full eye exam is advised:
During the test it will reveal that you might need spectacles for driving. This is not the end of the world, as it would help you to have better vision on the road. It would also help your depth perception and make it easier to judge distances. You will then be issued with a certificate and a prescription for spectacles which you should take to the traffic department. They will issue your licence, valid for driving with spectacles.
2. Most people pass the screening at their optometrist easily. We then issue you with a certificate which can be presented at the traffic department to issue your licence without any restrictions.
What I have also learned is, some of the traffic departments are open over weekends. I went at around 11 am on a Saturday and the process was quick and seamless.
Keep up to date with your driver’s licence don’t let it expire!!!
Vision for safe driving doesn’t start and end with a visual acuity test. As a driver, any compromise on your vision will affect your reaction time, depth perception, peripheral vision, and night time vision. This means ensuring your rear view mirrors are properly adjusted, your windscreen is clear, there are minimal distractions in your view, and not driving under the influence of any substances that may affect your senses, particularly your eyesight.
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
```