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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 been driving ror the same company for over 20 yrs I have a cdl am I recently failed the vision part of my medical test since then I had a vision test I have 20/20 in my left eye and 20/150 in my right eye I have test results from myeye doctor I only nd to drive intrastate of Pennsylvania how do I get a medical waiver my vision cant be repaired or corrected with glasses have no accidents or violations passed all other requirments
@ Robert k
You will need to talk with your local drivers license department for your best answer here. They should have all the forms that are needed for your situation.
I went to to get my dot physical done to get my class a cdl permit but failed because of a cordial thinning disease in my right eye does this qualify me for the exemption? the eye examiner said I had 20/10 in my left and 20/50 in my right. And I’m in Wisconsin.
@ Nick
You will need to check with the FMCSA to get a final answer
How long should one have an intrastate cdl before apply for the interstate cdl vision waiver?
@ Amanda
Start the process as soon as possible. It may take some time.
Can I use my ophthalmologist vision test for my DOT medical physical test? I have 20/40 in one eye, 20/20 in the other eye and 20/20 in both is this considered a monovision? thank you for your reply.
No this is a passing visual Aquity
Clarification: I was told if a driver is wearing glasses or contacts you ask them to take the glasses off to document uncorrected and redo exam with glasses on to document corrected.
Do you do the exam this way or does it just mean that uncorrected they do not wear glasses or contacts and correct they do wearing glasses or contacts, and you only have to do the exam as corrected or uncorrected not both?
@ Chris D
Some state, like california, demand a eye test with and without corrective lenses. Most states do not require that both be done. If the drivers license states the driver must wear corrective lenses, the he is test with corrective lenses on.
I am 20 20 in both eyes. But I have lost the ability to track with 1 eye. So I see double. If I close one eye or cover it I am fine. Does this disqualify me from driving?
@ Lonnie
It will make passing the eye portion of the DOT medical certification examination very difficult. FMCSA is requesting a 70 degrees or better lateral vision in each eye.
I recently had cateracs removed and had numerous eye tests done with my optomologist. Can I use the results from my Dr. for my DOT eye test instead of taking it at my physical??
@ Gail A
Yes.
I am considering obtaining a CDL in Colorado, have macular degeneration. Would this diagnosis disqualify me automatically? Am interested in driving locally, not long haul. Thanks
@ Joyce H
CDL’s are classed and have different requirements for each class. If you are able to drive a motor vehicle in your state now, then you may acquire a cdl to drive locally. The diagnosis is not an instant disqualifier.
I recently had my yearly vision checkup at my optometrists office. I have 20/20 vision in both eyes after cataract surgery, no restrictions. I have a phobia about putting my face in the Dot vision tester for my license renewal. Can I get a waiver from my optometrist? This is for renewal of license in Iowa
@ Marlene P
A copy of the results from your eye doctor, in hand, should be sufficient.
I was diagnosed in early January of this last year with a cataract in my right eye. About 3 weeks later I had it removed along with fixing an astigmatism. My vision went from 20/70 to 20/20. I was able to schedule the procedure with an already scheduled vacation so I wouldn’t have to miss work. I’m taking my DOT physical next week. My company didn’t know I had this done. They compar your new physical with the last one. They’re going to see a big change in my right eye, along with the cataract box checked off. One question is would I have needed a med recert to come back to work? I searched the medical section of the fmcsr and couldn’t find much about it. Is there another publication that gets into more detail about physical problems and issues that would tell us what physical problems and issues need a medical recert to come back to work. I’m sure the dot exam Dr’s have some kind of guidelines that they follow. Because there are times where we don’t know if it’s dot rules or company rules.
@ John M
Once you have any illness, injury, or scheduled procedures done, your medical certificate becomes in-valid. To return to work, you need a full medical release form from your doctor stating you have no restrictions and a new DOT medical certificate. The correction to your vision should not be an issue.