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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 you cross the state line if you are under 26,000 lbs with a eye wavier restriction
@ Jeff
It depends on the class of drivers license you have and its restrictions, if any.
I am 19 years old and hold a Class A, but cannot pass the vision test in my left eye. Don’t know the exact score, but it is less than 20/40. My right eye is just fine, and I haven’t been affected by it my whole life as my right eye is fine. According to the Vision exception application, I have to have driven a CMV for 3 years prior to my application. Here’s a quote from the application; “You operated a CMV with your vision deficiency for the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of this application, by submitting the following”
So my question is, how does one get an exemption if they can not legally drive without a valid med card?
All I want to do is drive intrastate, which in governed by each individual state and not the FMCSA. However a lot of states adopted the FMCSA guide lines, and others I haven’t been able to find if they have or not because they don’t have any information readily posted online.
Any information is appreciated. Thanks is advance
I’m blind In one eye.. but score 20/40 in my good eye which is my left.. can I can my cdl
@ Gregory B G
Intra-state only, maybe. Class A interstate, no. Check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
@ Michael C
Even though some states adopted the FMCSA guidelines for examination they did not adopt all of FMCSA’s rules and regs. Ask your local drivers license department what their guidelines require for an intra-state only cmv-class A driver. You may fail your DOT/FMCSA class A examination but most states take your situation into consideration as a intra-state only driver and apply the states variances.
had a retina detachment in 2015 and was repaired. my vision has been completely restored and with glasses my sight is now fine. My peripheral is at least 70 degrees. just now applying for a new medical card for a new driving job. will the new dot doctor need anything paperwork wise from me at exam.
@ Sharon
If all is corrected and you are doing fine at this point, then you shouldn’t need any thing further.
I have developed an eye condition that is being treated and expected to resolve, eyesight in one eye is greatly affected and out of accepted range, only one eye is affected. Current interstate driver. Do I need to report this prior to my next DOT physical
@ Shelly
Your DOT medical card should already be invalid due to your eye condition. Once you have every thing back on track and a vision of 20/40 or better, with or without corrective lenses, you should be OK if all else is normal.
You got my cdl class a on 3/05/2018 I went to change my certification from self certified to interstate or intrastate they told me I need a vision waiver. I applied for it on fcmca it wa denied for interstate. My state said they don issue vision waivers. Can I drive a cmv on self certified. I don’t know what to do!? Please help
I had a Cornia transplant in middle of 2015 I wasn’t able to keep up with my physical and was downgraded once I had my eye surgery I recently got my physical done and turned in my physical to Indiana how do I go about upgrading my cdl to active status again since I’m recovered
@ Kassey
Go to your local drivers license department and ask to be re-instated as a cdl driver.
@ Sergio
As a class A driver you must have a level of vision at 20/40 or better, with or without corrective lenses, in each eye. You could take the DOT medical certification examination and would not pass as a class A interstate driver, but your local, intra-state, license would come from the state. Not sure of any state that would accept a self certification for you to drive class A. That being said, check with your local drivers license department for more clarity regarding your situation.
If someone has a vision waiver and needs to renew it before it expires, does he have to go thru the whole physical or just see an ophthalmologist?
@ Claudia
The vision waiver will need to be presented at the time of the DOT medical examination. You will have to do the entire medical examination.
Can my eye doctor clear me safe to drive and will his recommendation and clearance for me safe to drive my commercial vehicle that I do not have to have a commercial driver license in order to drive and I drive intrastate only in Ohio am I able to pass my Department of Transportation physical without having to go through their eye exam
@ Tuco
You can bring a copy of your eye doctors examination findings and it should work in consideration of the medical examiners eye test.
I do not need a cdl to drive for the company i work for i drive a straight truck do i need a medical card if i drive intrastate
@ Rico
If you drive any vehicle that is being used for commerce, than your state is probably requiring a valid medical card. Which means that they are looking at the company and the company is in the business of commerce (making profit). So yes you need a valid medical card, even for intra-state.
@trucker docs so how we pass a drivers dot physical eye exam if i am working in itra-state meaning
On original commercial license applications, the department may make exceptions to the medical requirements, in rare instances, when the driver is able to demonstrate a history of adequate compensation. The commercial drive test will determine if the driver adequately compensates for any loss or impairment of a limb, vision, or hearing. If a commercial driver license is issued, it will be restricted to driving intrastate only (within California), and without passengers or hazardous materials.
Some factors that are considered in determining if the medical condition would affect driving include, but are not limited to, the following:
History and length of medical condition
Scope of commercial driving
Hours of operation
Driving Record History
Scope of employment
Side effects of condition
Geographic location
Type of vehicle
so how can we pass a dot exam for vision for intrastate driving
i know i can get my cdl class a with my bad vision in (intrastate commerce) only
but cant get a job because i cant pass my dot vision so i cant get a job where i can drive intrastate
@ daniel M
Check with your states DLD. Our experience with states has been very successful with communicate about their policy first and then the DOT examination.