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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.
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I have corrected vision of 20/20 in the left eye and 20/30 . My question is a waiver necessary or possible for someone with Diplopia?
Thanks
@Joseph
Looks like you correct with out any issues, but the diplopia may raise questions with your ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.
Your state may have the best answer for you. Check with your local drivers license department and see what they have to say. You may be limited to intra-state only, so check with DLD.
Can I wear contact lens to pass the color test in the eye exam? I’ve heard conflicting information.
@Paul
As long as your vision corrects to 20/40 or better in both eyes and each eye individually, you should be good to go.
Following up for clarification: The contacts correct minimal color blindness not vision.
@Paul
If you need to wear contacts to pass the DOT physical exam, you will need to wear them whilst driving. This will be noted on your medical card and medical report.
I have had lasik monovision for 12 years. I have no problems with seeing. everything is better. No halos at night , good night vision, no depth perception problems, ect. I see 20/20. I have been driving without any problems, no accidents, no issues. I have gotten a renewal in 2008 on my CDL, but the other day, I went to renew and was told that I needed a waiver. Why would I need a waiver if I have perfect vision. I feel like there has been a misrepresentation on monovision. I have been driving school buses for 30 years. I have good peripheal vision, no glasses needed. I got monovision, because I did not want to wear glasses. Maybe this should be something that is looked at a little harder. It does not make sense. Lasik has come a long way and I am proud to say I would not trade my monovision. I plan on contacting my eye doctor and see what kind of deal this is. Really I feel we are still in the horse and buggy days. This really needs to be addressed. Please let me know what I can do to help change this law, because this is not a fair law. Couldn’t there be a test for monovision drivers? I feel this forcing us to go backwards, because people do not understand good monovision. I am not trying to be difficult, but this is not fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Barbara
You could take the issue up with the FMCSA since they wrote the regulations.
FMCSA wants you to see 20/40 or better with both eyes and each eye individually, corrected or uncorrected.
With the mono vision you do not see 20/40 in one eye and they want that corrected via glasses or contact lenses. That’s an FMCSA thing.
I have a glass eye on my right side, is there any limitations or requirements for me to obtain and class b cdl?
@Chase
You will want to check with your local drivers license department and find out what papers and waivers you will need.
It is doable, but get the information ahead of time and save time later.
If I have 20/400 an 20/600 can I still drive in tn
@Thomas
Probably not.
I have recieved my DOT card but there’s a boxed checked saying I need to be accompanied with a vision wavier do I still need the wavier if they already gave me my DOT card
@Donald
The medical card is not valid unless you have the vision waiver with it. Can’t do one without the other.
Can I wear reading glasses on the eye exam?
@David
As long as you are prepared to wear them all the time. If you use glasses to pass the eye examination, then you will have it marked on your medical certificate that you must wear glasses to drive. And if you need glasses to pass the eye examination, then why not just go and get a properly prescribed pair to wear all the time?
I am a medical examiner who performed a Snellen Test on an individual with contacts. He has 20/20 vision with his correction. When he presented him long form to California DMV he was told his form was incomplete because we did not test him without his correction. I have reviewed California requirements and it states driver should be tested with OR without correction. Not both tests.
Which is it?
@Michelle
They want the form completed with both results – with and without.
You qualify the driver: Either with or without correction.
I am so frustrated! I am legally blind in my left eye; have been driving a commercial motor vehicle for 27 years, safely, without accident. When I went for DOT physical in December, I was denied due to my vision (remember I have been driving legally for 27 years). It seemed as if the only option was to apply for the federal vision waiver program. So, I did. I have been waiting for 4.5 months and just received my formal notice explaining this program “is not applicable” for me because I only drive intrastate. Where do I go from here? What else can I do?
@Keith
You need to explain to the examiner that you are an intra-state only driver and the state regulations are what applies to you, not federal guidelines.
Each State has their own rules.
Check first with your state drivers license department and explain your situation. They should be able to help you the most in this issue.
I Have a Macular hole in my right eye which causes that eye’s vision to be distorted…my vision is 20/40…I could not find any specific information related to macular holes in the eye as far as the DOT physical is concerned, would i still qualify with this macular hole as long as my vision is 20/40? Thanks in Advance for any help
@Roy
As long as all other visual aspects are relatively normal and you have a medical release form from your eye doctor explaining your situation, you may be OK. But make sure you have as much supporting information on hand before going into the examination.