Vision Tests

Your eyesight will be tested using a wall chart that measures your visual acuity (keenness of vision). The wall chart is located 20 feet from where you will be standing and contains five lines of letters for you to read. If you cannot read the letters on the wall chart, you will be asked to look into a vision tester called the Optec 1000. You look into this machine with both eyes open and look for specific objects. This machine measures the visual acuity of your eyes individually and together.

If you do not meet the department's vision standard of 20/40, the DMV employee will give you a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62) form and ask you to see a vision specialist. A "vision specialist" is a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.

If you are renewing your license, DMV will issue to you a 30-day temporary license if your eyesight is no worse than 20/70 with both eyes. This should give you enough time to make an appointment with your vision specialist.
Your vision specialist will give you a full vision examination to determine your ability to safely drive. You must bring the completed DL 62 back to a DMV office.

Important!

If your vision specialist prescribes new eyeglasses or recommends another type of vision correction, please wait until you have completed your vision specialist's recommendations before returning to DMV. Note: DMV will retest your vision, and you may not pass the vision test if you aren't used to your new lenses.

• If you submitted a DL 62 within the previous six months, a new DL 62 is not required. If, however, you had eye surgery within those six months, you must provide a new DL 62 so that your vision specialist can give DMV an update on your vision.

Existing vision conditions

In general, if you have an existing vision condition that is stable, and DMV has a record of it, and you pass the vision test, you do not need to be referred to your vision specialist.

What happens when I return to DMV after visiting my vision specialist?

Your Report of Vision Examination will be reviewed and you will take another vision test. If you pass the vision test, DMV will renew your driver license and add (or retain) a corrective lens restriction to your driver license. You must wear your corrective lenses while driving if you passed the vision test wearing your glasses or corrective contact lenses. There will be no lens restriction if you passed the vision test without glasses or corrective contact lenses.

If you do not pass the vision test, DMV will schedule a Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation (driving test) for you to see if you can compensate for your vision condition. If your vision specialist prescribes them, you must wear your glasses or corrective contact lenses. If you pass the driving test, DMV will renew your driver license and add (or retain) a corrective lens restriction to your driver license.

Other vision related issues

Bioptic Telescopic Lens Wearers - If your vision specialist has prescribed a bioptic telescopic lens for you, you may not wear your lens to pass the vision test.

A DMV employee will give you a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62) and ask you to see your vision specialist. When you return with your completed DL 62, you will be asked to take a Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation (driving test) to determine if you can drive safely while wearing your bioptic telescopic lens. If you pass your driving test, your license will be restricted to wearing your bioptic telescopic lens when driving. If you passed the driving test during the day, you will have a daylight driving restriction. If you passed the driving test at night, you will have only the lens restriction.

Monovision - If you have monovision (one eye corrected for distance vision and one eye treated or untreated for close-up vision) and DMV has no record of your vision condition, the DMV employee will give you a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62) and ask you to see your vision specialist. When you return with your completed DL 62, you will be asked to take a Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation (driving test) to determine if you can drive safely.

Other health conditions that affect vision - One of the following health conditions may cause you to not meet DMV's minimum vision screening standard. If this happens, you will be referred to DMV's Driver Safety Branch for a hearing. Existing health conditions that may affect your vision include, but are not limited to:

Brain tumor or lesion
Cerebral palsy
Diabetic retinopathy
Head trauma
Kaposi's sarcoma ocular lesions
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke

DMV's visual acuity screening standard

Vision terminology

Vision conditions that may affect my ability to drive safely

DMV vision licensing qualification