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.
If I have my medical card already. When i go for my New Jersey CDL permit do I need to take a eye exam at the DMV or do I automatically pass with the card?
@ Robert
DMV is one thing and the medical certificate is another. One does not over-ride the other, so expect an eye examination at the DMV.
I have a -7 in both eyes in my prescription for contacts, am I qualified to past the vision test for CDL license??
@Murry
If you can see 20/40 or better with both eyes and each eye individually with or without glasses, then you will pass the eye examination portion of the DOT medical certification process.
I have 20/25 vision in my left eye and 20/400 in my right eye. 20/25 with both eyes with corrected glasses. I can also see the colors red green and amber. Along with 70 degree field of vision. Do I need a waiver or does this pass DOT physical fora class A cdl?
@ Jacob
FMCSA wants, corrected or uncorrected, 20/40 or better in both eyes and each eye individually. Otherwise you will need a vision waiver to pass class A.
I have the same problem
My DOT physical is scheduled for next week .My medical card expires May 8th,2016 .If I don’t pass the eye test for some reason and need to get a vision waiver will my current medical card be valid after May 8th while the vision waiver is being processed ? Or will they issue me a new medical card while the vision waiver is being processed I live in Massachusetts so if I don’t get my medical card they will downgrade my Class b cdl to a class d licence so I want to avoid that. Thanks
@Michael
Why not go and get your eyes check out before you go for the medical certificate.
The vision waiver takes time and you will not qualify as fit for duty if you can not pass the eye examination, so no CME is going to issue a card to drive when they are not able to pass the examination. But of the only question is the eye examination, then go get them checked out before you go for the DOT examination.
I was diagnosed with branch retinal vein occlusion due to high blood pressure. I meet the requirement of the vision test but the doctor won’t pass me. Can I go to a different Doctor?
@Lisa
With this condition, it is going to be difficult at best to get any clearance to drive a CMV.
No good prognosis or treatment and usually has a tendency to worsen over time.
If you can pass the visual field test, then you may work with a CME that will take all factors into consideration and limit your medical card to one year at the time. This would be done so the examiner can continually monitor your abilities. Also a huge help would be to have your eye doctor fill out a medical release form for you explaining your situation. That gives the CME more information to take into consideration. Good Luck
I was sent for a recert after bein release from knee surgery. i was told it was a fit for duty. I passed all but the vision. i was temporsrily disqualified. the doc said come bacj with new glasses and take eye exam. Another dr. said i had to redo all? Whats correct?
@Shari
If you go back to the original examining office, all you need is the vision test.
If you go to another facility, then you will need the whole examination. One doctor will not sign off on another doctors work, especially if they don’t know each other.
I have recently lost vision in one eye. I have read the DOT requirements & I understand that monocular drivers must get a waiver to become DOT certified. Are there any differences is requirements/restrictions if I’m not trying to get my CDL? The company’s vehicle that I would be driving is a considered a DOT passenger pick up truck. I’m not required to have a CDL to drive it, but I do have to have DOT certification.
@James
You will want to check with your local drivers licensed department. You do not need a class A medical certification, but you do need a medical certificate to do the job you describe. Your state will give you the information that you need to get the medical card, but they will have their own rules for the vision waiver.
I have been denied for vision waiver due to not meeting the 3 years operating cmv (cdl) but my company runs non cdl vehicles and the state of South Carolina does not do a state level waiver so I keep being told. What do I need to do
@Dillon
If you drive non-cdl and just need a medical certificate and a vision waiver, then check with your local drivers license department and ask them how that will work for you. Each state has its own set of regulations that are outside the federal DOT.
I have monacular vision an no cdl experience I see it says u need 3 yrs cdl experience I have all documents needed for federal excemption would it be a waste of time to apply
@Cedrick
Check with your local drivers license department for the requirements to drive intrastate only.
You may be able to qualify to drive in state.
Once you have gained the required experience, intrastate driving my become a possibility for you.
I have applied for intrastate and got approved . But hard to get hired to drive in one state with no experience driving buses or trucks a lot of companies don’t wanna have to train you. I have applied for federal vision waiver.
I had a detached retina 1.5 years ago after the surgery i have 20/20 vision with both eyes but only 20/50 with my previously injured eye. Is there any way for me to get a CDL? And are there different requirements for a class B?
@Roman
Visual requirements are at least 20/40 in both eyes and each eye individually. If you are at 20/20 in both but only 20/50 with the injured eye, you would need to go for some correction to get you to 20/40 or better.
If there is no correction possible, then you can check with your local drivers license department and see what the requirements are for a class B or intra-state only.
I am legally blind in my right eye but have perfect vision in my left eye. I already had my dot physical and now i obtain a medical card. my medical cards says that I would need a vision waiver I applied for one in the state of texas for the intrastate version. my question is what do I need to do to obtain a federal interstate waiver
@Travis
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.