Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) and registration explained
In short. A Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI), or BP1 in Scotland and A655 in Northern Ireland, is the medical document a consultant ophthalmologist completes to certify someone as either Sight Impaired (partially sighted) or Severely Sight Impaired (blind). The council then offers registration. Registration is voluntary but unlocks Blind Person's Allowance, the Disabled Person's Railcard, council tax disability reduction, free NHS prescriptions in some cases, and the local authority's Visual Impairment social-care assessment.
Registration is the gateway to almost every financial entitlement that depends on being formally recognised as blind or partially sighted. Understanding the form, the medical criteria and the practical consequences avoids missed allowances and incorrect benefit decisions.
Last reviewed: Next review by: 3 min read
Mr Mohamed Mohyudin MBChB BSc MSc FRCOphth — Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon. GMC 7039600 — view official website.
Medical accuracy of this page’s factual statements about sight loss has been reviewed by Mr Mohamed Mohyudin. Personal finance, benefits and tax content remains the responsibility of the Money Guide editorial team. About this reviewer.
Who completes the CVI
Only a consultant ophthalmologist working in an NHS eye department can issue a CVI (or BP1/A655). It is the consultant's medical assessment that determines whether someone meets the threshold for Sight Impaired or Severely Sight Impaired — neither status can be self-declared and neither an optometrist nor a GP can issue the certificate.
The thresholds are defined in regulations made under the Care Act 2014 (England), the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, equivalent Scottish and Northern Irish provisions, and are based on visual acuity in the better eye and the extent of the visual field — not on the underlying eye condition.
Sight Impaired vs Severely Sight Impaired
- Severely Sight Impaired (blind) — visual acuity below 3/60, or 3/60–6/60 with very contracted field, or above 6/60 with very contracted field, especially in the lower part. Required for Blind Person's Allowance.
- Sight Impaired (partially sighted) — visual acuity 3/60–6/60 with full field, or up to 6/24 with moderate restriction, or up to 6/18 with marked field defect (e.g. hemianopia). Does NOT qualify for Blind Person's Allowance but does qualify for many other concessions.
- Both categories qualify for the Disabled Person's Railcard, council tax disability reduction (where the home has features used by the disabled occupier), the local authority's Care Act / social-care assessment, and registration with social services for support equipment and rehabilitation.
What registration unlocks
Once the council records the registration (it is voluntary and triggered by the person consenting on the CVI), it becomes the evidence base for several entitlements. The most financially valuable are Blind Person's Allowance (£3,130 for 2025/26, severely sight impaired only), council tax disability reduction (one band down), the Disabled Person's Railcard (one-third off train fares for the holder and a companion), and the 50% TV Licence concession for households where the licence holder is registered as severely sight impaired (blind).
Registration is also used by the DWP as evidence in PIP and Attendance Allowance assessments — though those benefits have their own functional tests and are not automatic from registration alone.
FAQ
- Is registration compulsory?
- No. The CVI is completed by the consultant ophthalmologist with the patient's consent and a copy is sent to the council. The council then offers registration; people can decline. However, declining registration means losing access to Blind Person's Allowance, the Railcard, council-tax reduction and several other entitlements that rely on the register entry as evidence.
- How long does registration take?
- From the CVI being issued, councils typically complete registration within four to eight weeks. NHS England's Certificate of Vision Impairment guidance requires the consultant to send copies to the patient, the GP and the council within five working days of issue.
- Does CVI registration affect a driving licence?
- Yes. Both Sight Impaired and Severely Sight Impaired registration are notifiable to the DVLA (or DVA in Northern Ireland). The legal sight standard for driving is set by visual acuity (currently 6/12 in good light) and visual field; failing either prevents the licence being held until the standard is regained.
- Can children be registered?
- Yes — the CVI process is the same. Children registered as Severely Sight Impaired or Sight Impaired qualify for the appropriate local authority sensory-support team's involvement; the financial entitlements (Blind Person's Allowance, etc.) attach to the registered child or, in the case of household benefits, the household.