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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 a lazy eye the only thing i cant do with it is read ive passed the driver license test no restrictions will i still fail the test for dot
@ Robert
You will need to be able to read to complete your medical questioner, so be as prepared as possible. You will also be tested for visual acuity, which requires reading.
I can read my right eye can read fine and my lazy eye can see but i cant read with that eye only
The only problem with my left eye which is the lazy one is read with it other then that my peripheral is good no blurry images just cant read with that one eye
Im not required to obtain a cdl to drive my truck my conpany is sending us on their own requirement i just dont want to lose my job over that its not like im going to close one eye to read a sign
@ Robert
explain to the examiner that you need a medical card, but do not drive a class A vehicle. Most examiners do class A medicals and may not be aware of state variances, which you would fall under. Explain the type of driving that you do and that you have had a valid drivers license for years. You should be OK.
what is the requirement of cdl drivers vision….after having vertigo. someone has been told off for 6 months by a Dr. because of the dizziness, but dizziness has been gone since two weeks being told it was vertigo. where do I find the regs on this.
@ Anthony
FMCSA web site. Depending on the class driver you are will depend on the level of examination and documentation needed in your situation.
I have on file with CA DMV a waiver for mono vision and every time I need to renew my medical certificate at the DMV, the dept never seems to know what a waiver is for intrastate drivers only which is the state’s jurisdiction, they keep insisting I need to contact the FMCSA. Who in California can help me? I don’t want to lose my job.
@ Ray G
Your issues are state related, so FMCSA is not the answer for you. Go passed the DMV clerk and ask for a supervisor for more assistance.
Ray g did u get the waiver from the fmcsa or state need info on this for.l California
I am getting my cdl class a intrastate only but idk how to pass dot exam
I already have a vision waiver, but when I go to DMV to obtain my medical card, they won’t help me, they are totally unaware of any vision waiver. I’ve had my vision waiver for awhile too. Where can I go for help
@ Raymond
Medical cards are obtained from a certified medical examiner not the DMV.
I have been a driver for about 12 years never had a problem till last week. The nurse who did my exam failed me over a color test even though I told her the lighting in there was part of my problem. Yes I have a small color problem but I can tell red green and yellow on the traffic lights and road signs without a problem. Am I allowed under current regs to get a second physical, my safety guy says I am not
@ Greg
Yes, you have the right to a second opinion. You need to correctly identify traffic signal colors, nothing else.
I have Macular Degeneration causing double vision. I am currently off on short term disability. Will this revoke my CDL ? I don’t feel safe driving truck many hours of the day trying to focus down the road.
@ John
Most states want a valid medical card to maintain a CDL. You need to check with your local drivers license department to determine what actions they will take on your CDL until you are cleared to return to driving.
So, I went to get my DOT Physical done at the place my company sends us. It’s one of those urgent-care facilities. Anyway, they have this requirement that if you’re diabetic, even just borderline, then you have to get an eye exam done saying you don’t have diabetic retinopathy. I passed the vision part of the test with flying colors. Has anyone heard of this?
@Allen
This would be a recommendation and a request by the CME. It would be a good idea if it has been a long time since your last eye examination. (Not a vision test, but an eyeball examination. Diaabetese can have such a subtle effect on you that you may not even notice it. Also the CME is held by the FMCSA to look at any potential safety issues that could arise.
IS being color blind a disqualifier for a DOT License in Va.
@ Danny S
Visual testing is for visual acuity and the ability to correctly identify red, green and yellow.