Please read through the Q&A before posting a question. This will help everyone to not have duplicate questions. Thank you!
If you still can’t find a related answer, then you are welcome to ask your question in the comments section below.
Q&A
What are the vision requirements to get a DOT medical card?
What if I have monocular vision?
Can I wear contact lenses to do the vision test?
What if I have had laser eye surgery?
I need to obtain a vision waiver. Where can I get the forms?
What are the vision requirements to get a DOT medical card?
You must have a distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 with or without corrective lenses:
- see at least 20/40 with both eyes together
- see at least 20/40 with the right eye
- see at least 20/40 with the left eye.
Monovision is a disqualification. Use of a contact lens in one eye for distant visual acuity and another lens in the other eye for near vision is not acceptable, nor are telescopic lenses acceptable for driving a commercial motor vehicle.
Exemption: A driver with monocular vision may be able to get a Federal Vision Exemption Certificate, if medically fit for duty in all other categories of the physical exam.
What if I have monocular vision?
If you pass all other aspects of the DOT physical, and you meet all vision requirements in the functioning eye, then you may be considered for a Federal Vision Exemption.
Can I wear contact lenses to do the vision test?
You are permitted to wear contact lenses provided you’re used to wearing them and have a good tolerance for wearing contacts. Be aware that monovision is a disqualification, so use of a contact lens in one eye for distant visual acuity and another lens in the other eye for near vision is not acceptable.
What if I have had laser eye surgery?
Provided you meet the vision requirements, you should have no problem.
I am legally blind in one eye from an injury? With documentation from my eye specialist can I pass the DOT physical?
This type of injury will require documentation.
If you are going to drive only within your state borders, it will be easier. Just check with your DMV to see what the states rules and regulations are.
To pursue an interstate medical card will require an exemption that you can only get from FMCSA. Check out the requirements to determine if this is something you want to pursue. It is possible, but a bit tough to do. Lots of hoops, but do-able.
I need to obtain a vision waiver. Where can I get the forms?
FMCSA has a Vision Exemption Program which has specific requirements for each application. You will get a decision within 180 days of completing your application. To find out more and get the forms go to this FMCSA official webpage.
I have 20/20 vision corrected, right eye. 20/200 uncorrectable in my left eye, 70 degree plus horizontal left and right. Does this fail the DOT physical?
DOT requires you have a minimum of 20/40 vision in each eye, and in both eyes together, either non-corrective or with corrective lenses. Your peripheral vision is within normal limits.
All that being said, you could be driving skills tested with a FMCSA exemption. Check with the FMCSA for the requirements for that particular exemption.
I’ve been a CDL driver for 16 years. Last week, for my DOT physical the doctor made me do the color test from a book with numbers and dots. I could get only half of them right. I have always been able to see the colors red, green and amber and pass my DOT physical. Now the book test has made me fail the color portion of the DOT physical. What’s going on with this?
It looks like the doctor is trying to determine if you may be color blind. But the primary reason for the DOT physical color test is to determine your ability to distinguish red, amber/yellow and green – not a color blindness examination. Not really sure as to why they would do this. Especially since you have been driving for so long. You are correct to question this.
Can’t Find An Answer For Your Question?
If you have a question that you feel has not been answered, scroll down to the Questions and Comments box and post your question.
- Before posting, please make sure you are on the appropriate Category page, so that relevant questions and answers can be found by other drivers too.
- To save us all from zombie spammers, your question will not appear on this page until it has been approved.
- Trucker Docs™ will answer your question as soon as possible.
- Visit this page again soon to see our response.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
Your comments are also welcome.
I have heard FMCSA had changed their requirement that you must drive 3 years with your eye deficiency and provide documentation of that….. is this true? and does it really take 180 days to get a response???? If I can’t work all that time, I’m very afraid of what will happen to me financially.
@Bob
Need a bit more clarity on this. What eye deficiency? And 180 days from whom to respond?
Hello, I am 24, with 20/20 vision in one eye without glasses and little to none in the other , I was told I would need a vision waiver to obtain a cdl. I already pass the dot physical. I got the package sent in all the paper work, but I wanted to know for Florida about how long does it take its been about 3 weeks, And also I have a school scheduled really soon if it is not done in time am I able to still take the school while it processes or is that impossible. thanks
@Kerry
This is a question for the state of Florida. We can’t speak for each state individually. So check with the state drivers license department and see what they have to say.
I had a mackular puck in my right eye, Dr performed surgery but could not give me a % of success. I now have approx 20/70 vision in my right eye. Dr stated that my right eye is as good as it is going to get.The for mentioned procedure generated a cataract forming in my right eye. I have 20/20 vision in my left eye corrected with glasses. I live in Ma and getting a job driving a handicap van for local co. How will affect my getting a medical card?
@Paul
You may need a vision waiver from the state. FMCSA and the interstate drivers must have 20/40 or better with both eyes and each eye individually.
But each state has a different set of rules for intra-state only drivers with a medical certificate.
So check with your local drivers license department and see what they have to say about your present condition in your situation.
I had cataract surgery on both eyes 6 mos. ago. The result is monovision, with 20/40 using both eyes, 20/30 right eye, 20/50 left eye. The brain puts the 2 together and allows the person to see both near and far, as opposed to just near or just far, the only other options. Previously I had good regular vision in each eye, except for the cataracts and mild presbyopia. I asked the opthamologist if the monovision would affect my driver’s physical and was told it would not. When I went to get new physical, I was told I have to wear glasses in order to bring left eye up to 20/40. I drive safely without, being able to use both eyes at 20/40.
As I understand the D.O.T. rules, each eye must be at least 20/40. That’s not what happens when monovision is created purposefully. Why would a doctor be allowed to perform an operation that the State/Feds won’t accept?? Does this qualify for a waiver?
@Suzanna
Sorry that your eye doctor does not know about the FMCSA guideline, but the reality is that you will need to wear a corrective lenses to bring both eyes to 20/40, with or without corrective lenses. You might want to inform the doctor that did the surgery, that he has done you a major dis-service by making you a mono-ocular driver and that you now are going to be forced to wear a corrective lenses to pass the DOT examination.
We are the provider and a patient did not pass based on his vision. He has now seen an eye exam and corrected the problem. How do we complete the paper work and registration on line for this patient’s DOT to be valid. We have called the phone number listed and left several messages without any reply. We have emailed twice and both times told to call the phone number listed, even after we explained in our last email that we have left message without a reply. Please response with an answer so we can handle this situation properly. Thank you in advance for any help you can give.
@Janis
Simply re-enter the information with the proper dates (exam date & expiration date) into the NRCME data-base and mark it as medically qualified. That should override and correct the first information input.
My boyfriend has cataract and the specialist put him glasses but don’t seem to be working and still has trouble seeing out of his one eye. Will they not issue the medical card for his cdl in KY since he is drives interstate? Will they require him to have the cataract removed ?
@Phyllis
If he can’t see clearly, why would any CME clear him to drive. This is a major safety issue.
Best bet is to get the cataract taken care of and then get back to driving. Otherwise he is not going to qualify as a fit for duty driver and be disqualified from driving until he gets it all taken care of.
I have a class A cdl in fla. I have 2020 both eyes but center vision in right eyeright eye is 20200 periferal vision is normal both eyes. My license is fla restricted to state of fla only and so is my medical card, is there any new law that will negate this in 2016 or 2017, thanks for your cooperation and look forward to your comments
@Greg
As far as we have seen, at least with the new upcoming DOT physical, there are no new changes. Have you checked with the FMCSA about a vision waiver though. It appears that the state of Florida has the first restriction, but are there any rules or restrictions within the state that may allow you to try for the FMCSA waiver?
vision comes & goes in left eye when good only peripheral vision cant see well at night can I drive cdl
@Calvin
Probably not without restrictions. But get an eye examination from your local eye doctor and see what he has to say. FMCSA requires that you be able to see 20/40 with both eyes and each eye individually. That can be with or without corrective lenses.