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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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Can a cdl driver friendly do a eye test and will it be good for DMV?
@Tony.
No. DMV does their own eye test.
I passed the vision at the doctors office. The first vision test at the DMV, was difficult but I passed. I really struggled to pass the second vision test at the DMV. I was told to read the third line which to me seemed much smaller than 20/30 or 20/40. Am I close to failing or will the person at the DMV tell me to read another line that’s bigger. The line I read was line C.
@Brandon
Sorry, can’t help you with what DMV will do.
So 20/80 is totally out of the question! I have had a lazy eye from birth. I am currently trying to get my interstate waiver. I have driven all my life but let my license expire ten years ago. I got it back last year and have a current card. The doctor at my refresher said the company I was applying for had tougher restrictions than most so I am looking for another company. How did I pass my first test from a qualified medical examiner?
@Steve
Interstate vs intra-state, with or without corrective lenses?
If you are going for interstate, you fall under FMCSA regs and federal DOT. Not sure which level of variances you qualified for during your last medical certification examination.
I am 63 years old, got a commercial license at 18 and drove trucks hauling logs ever since. When the new CDL came into play i quit for awhile then got a intrastate vision waiver in Texas and started back in 1998. Now intrastate no longer works. I must be able to drive in Arkansas and Louisiana to keep my contracts. I would still be operating witin a 150 miles of my home base. I have applied for federal waiver and they keep asking for same info over and over. My eye specialist seems to think for some unknown reason they are just making it tuff on me. I have never been involved in any accident, havent had a violation since 2006 and that was speeding in a personal auto and driven millions of miles. I have complied with and passed every test and request they have asked of me and still they wont say yes, no, or why. Is there legal help available to help. I will lose my contracts June 1, 2017 without this., Thanks
I am a 66 yr old truck driver.I’ve have held a commerical drivers license since i was 21. I currently have CDL in the state of Ks. Recently my right eye was removed because I had ocular
melanoma.My left eye is perfectly good. There is no more cancer. What can I do to get certified so I can keep my job.I took my eye exam and past with flying colors with my left eye.Can you help me. Thanks
@Tommy
If you must travel interstate, then you must pass the interstate medical certification examination. If that requires a vision waiver from the FMCSA then you are now dealing with a government agency. We do not know of any way to speed up that process. Be as persistent as possible with them on a near daily basis.
Hi, so I have Nystagmus. I was approved my eye doctor a little over a year ago to drive WITH corrective lenses. I have 20/40 with correction 20/70 without.
My problem is I have to change the address on my license and an eye exam is required just to do that. Do I have to take the eye exam if I wear corrective lenses?
My problem is with Nystagmus my head has to turn a few degrees one direction to slow the movement enough to see best. That’s why driving isn’t an issue because you are constantly looking around, not staring at one point the whole time.
Sorry. I should be a little clearer. With my eye condition and the way I resolve it, my head wouldn’t be straight on the machine the use to test. I wouldn’t be able to see into the machine.
@Chad
This is a question for your local drivers license department. Sorry we can’t give you an answer.
Hi,
I have completed my CDL physical exam, but I need a vision waiver for one of my eyes. It has been very difficult to find a doctor who does CDL vision examines.
Can anyone provide me with the name of eye doctor where I can be examine for a vision waiver?
I take eye drops for pressure in my eyes. My vision is 20/20 in each eye. Will I pass my vision test or will I need a medical form?
@WR
Get a medical release form from your doctor explaining your condition, if all else is acceptable you may be given a short term card until you are off the meds. A lot will depend on your ability to demonstrate medically fit for duty according to the FMCSA guidelines.
My husband needs to wear his reading glasses to read small print. Is he allowed to wear them to take the vision test to renew his driver’s license?