I was under the impression that they used different charts at each counter, and since they are covered until the moment of the actual test it would be difficult to do this. But then again - I don't have a problem with my eyesight so never thought about cheating. I think the main point of the RTA test is to check whether you should be wearing glasses (which the requirement to drive with glasses or not is written on the licence itself) and if the person is wearing glasses to see if they are still effective - in which case they would probably advise the applicant that it might be time to go and get their eyes tested again if they couldn't read the eye chart! It may be not as comprehensive, but like many things in this country one can ask the question as to what degree we take something

I remember being quite irritated at the time when I had to make two trips to the strassenverkehrsamt because of this issue. However this feeling subsided when I realised that I received a lifetime licence, and wouldn't have to go and renew it!