Sunglasses for Driving: How to Choose the Right Pair

Short answer: For daytime driving you want category 2 or 3 lenses with 100% UV protection (UV400), ideally polarized to cut glare from the road and the bonnet. Good tints: grey, brown, copper. Category 4 (very dark lenses) is not allowed, and sunglasses must never be worn for night driving.

Anyone who drives a lot knows it: glare off the tarmac, reflections on the bonnet and a low sun on the horizon can "blind" you for a critical second. The right pair of sunglasses reduces that glare, rests your eyes on long journeys and makes driving more comfortable. The thing is, not every pair works for the road. Here's what to look for.

What makes sunglasses suitable for driving

When driving, you don't just want the lens to "cut light". You want a clear, stable image, accurate colour rendering so you can pick out traffic lights, and above all control of glare. Three things make the difference:

• Full UV protection: the lens must be UV400 or 100% UV. This has nothing to do with how dark it is — to understand why, see our article on what UV400 means.
• The right lens category: category 2 or 3 suits daytime driving. Category 4, the very dark lenses, is not allowed for driving.
• Glare control: this is where polarized lenses come in.

Why polarized lenses help

The glare that bothers you at the wheel is essentially horizontally polarized light bouncing off flat surfaces — wet tarmac, the car bonnet, the windscreen. A polarized lens has a filter that neutralises exactly this light. The result is less glare, better contrast and eyes that tire less on a long trip. You'll find more on how this technology works on our polarized sunglasses page.
One small caveat: in some cars with digital dashboards or on certain GPS screens, a polarized lens can make the screen look darker or show rainbow patterns. Usually a slight tilt of the head is enough — but it's worth testing before you buy.

Which lens colour to choose

Lens colour is not just about style — it affects how you see the road:

Lens colour	What it offers for driving
Grey	Neutral colour rendering, restful — the safest all-round choice
Brown / copper	Increases contrast, helps judge distances on bright days
Green	Good balance of contrast and natural colours
Yellow / orange	For overcast or low light — not for bright sun

If in doubt, grey or brown cover most situations. Photochromic lenses, which darken and clear according to the light, are a good option for anyone driving in changing conditions.

Frame: small details that matter

• Thin temples: they don't block your peripheral field when you check the mirrors.
• A good fit: glasses that slip down your nose over every bump are a distraction. Choose a frame that sits securely.
• Larger lenses: they cover more of your field and also protect from side light.

And night driving?

Here you need to be careful: never wear sunglasses at night. They dangerously reduce visibility. Glare from oncoming headlights is a different issue and is handled differently — an anti-reflective coating on your prescription glasses or special lenses.

I wear prescription glasses — what do I do?

Two good solutions. The first is prescription sunglasses, that is, a frame with your prescription in a dark polarized lens. The second is photochromic lenses in your regular glasses, which darken in the sun. Either way, speak to your optician — you can also browse options on the Eye-Shop sunglasses page and our prescription sunglasses guide.

Popular brands for driving

Two brands stand out for driving glasses: Ray-Ban — the classic Aviator and Wayfarer Polarized with G-15 or B-15 tints are the timeless best-known driving glasses, while Chromance offers boosted colour contrast; and Oakley — Prizm Road and Prizm Daily Polarized lenses enhance reds and yellows (traffic lights, brake lights), in a light Plutonite frame that stays comfortable on long trips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do driving glasses absolutely have to be polarized?

It's not mandatory, but they help significantly with glare. If you drive for long hours or on bright routes, they're worth it.

Are dark category 4 lenses allowed for driving?

No. Category 4 cuts too much light and is not allowed for driving. For the road, stick to category 2 or 3.

What lens colour should I get if I'm not sure?

Grey is the safest, most neutral choice. Brown is also very good if you want a bit more contrast.

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