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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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Your comments are also welcome.
I have an under developed optical nerve in my left eye (not caused by injury but a birth defect) but have better than average vision in my right. Wondering if I would qualify for an exemption.
Also curious to see if I could see a DOT physician prior to making the decision to go to school for a CDL A.
All help and advise is a appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
@ Sarah
We would recommend that you go see a DOT provider and discuss your situation first.
Just took my DOT physical I was just curious is it normal for a doctor to only issue a one year med card for corrective lenses, everything in the test was normal my vision is even corrected to 20/20 in each eye and together
hello there i am wondering if i get my cdl class A intrastate in califorina how can i get to pass a DOT exam for my job i am getting here in califorina local driver
aswell i am getting new a job for bobtail class c local driver and i need to do a dot exam but how can i pass my vision i am 20/400 in left eye and right good eye 20/40 how can i get thought dot exams i am working on my class a need more info on this ( iam have been driving bobtail trucks 26″ for 2years with no problem just now that i am getting a new job in need dot exam )
and i have doctors prove that i am able to operate commercial vehicles and eye exams that my bad eye doesnt affect my driving ability
am i legaly blind in my left eye
@ daniel m
You fall under the states DLD variances, so check with the DLD first.
Hello,
I’m also curious as I’m preparing to enter CDL A driving school. I have 20/20 in my left eye and 20/400 in my right eye, which is considered legally blind. I’ve been this way my whole life and never had issues as I was an all star athlete in multiple sports and never had an accident in my 20 years driving. I did have to have a letter from my eye Dr when testing for my Class D license. Will I be ok to drive commercially if I get a letter from my eye Dr? Thanks!
@ Travis S
If you are going to try and drive over the road / interstate, you will need a vision exemption from the FMCSA.
I had an eye injury in 1973 . Had my CDL since 1972. My left eye is good , my right eye doesn’t have a lense in it from the injury.Back then They didn’t DOT physicals were unheard of . My eye doctor made a special lense for my right eye which allowed me to pass eye exams but since I don’t have a lobe on my eye the lense floats around creating problems. I still have peripheral in my right eye to this day . Yesterday I went to see an eye doctor trying to renew my eye part of the DOT physical and told me I don’t meet the requirements for an interstate CDL even though I’ve been driving for 46 years with out an incident. Are these new Federal laws trying to put people out on the street or destroy someone’s livelihood?
@ Dieter S
It may seem that way in the land of the free. FMCSA does issue a visual exemption for drivers in your situation. Try getting information from the DOT / FMCSA regarding the waiver.
wanted to know should i been charge again to take the eye exam when i was tested without my glasses and that’s one of my restriction
@ Vernon B P
That is totally up to the examiners office policy, not FMCSA.
I drive a lot in my job, going to see many donors of our local children’s home. These donors are mostly located throughout Texas. I am recently suffering from diplopia (double vision) and need to wear an eye-patch over one eye (either one) to see without the double vision causing everything to run together. I need to know what the requirements are in Texas for driving with an eye patch. Can you help me?
@ Eric R
Your best answer will come from your local DMV/drivers license department. Your situation will fall under the states variances and not federal regs.
Would anyone know about the Commercial Vehicle requirements for a vision waiver? My Class A license was pulled at the scales when my truck was red tagged, they said I was unable to drive a Class A vehicle with airbrakes, So they took my license, I told them I had my vision waiver for sometime now, even renewing it and have been able to drive my commercial vehicle. Is this a new law? Does anyone have anyone I can contact, my job is at risk! HELP PLEASE!!!
@ R. G.
Did you have the waiver with you at the time DOT pulled your license. If not, they were correct until proven different.
Hi everyone thanks for your site to help us with our questions. Here’s mine went to my eye doctor today complaining about problems with my right eye I was having symptoms which was causing halos,vision change,green tint. Thought it was cataracts but after exams I was told I have Glaucoma started eye drops today. I drive a paratransit bus Class C license what effect will this have driving in Il thanks !
@ Ted T
As long as you can safely operate the vehicle with your visual condition and you do not put yourself and the public at large in danger, then continue with the follow-up with the eye doctor. He should be kept abreast of your situation, as well as, your job description. Also check with your local drivers license department for any restrictions they may have.