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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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Hi,
I can read closely without glasses But my eyesight is short, which is why I am wearing glasses which is 1.6 in my both eyes left glass 1.6 point and right eye glass is also 1.6 can I pass cdl physical vision test
@ Alex
If your vision is corrected to 20/40 or better in each eye, with or with our corrective lenses, you should be fine.
Should the “Wearing corrective lenses” be checked if glasses are only needed for reading?
@ Liz
No. If you pass the eye examination without corrective lenses then it should not be marked as needed to drive.
Can i give dmv my eye exam results from my doctor
Or i have to take the eye exam there?
@ Juan
Most DMV’s will accept your eye examination findings from your doctor. Check with your DMV to confirm.
if i can see 20/20 vision with both eyes, and i can see 20/20 vision in my right eye, but my left i see 20/50
can i wear reading glasses when i take the vision test
@ Hugo
If your vision corrects to 20/40 or better in your left eye, then it would require you to wear corrective lenses at all times while driving.
I went to DMV office to get my DL (class c) to be renewed. But failed at vision test, i was given form DL 63 and need to be examined by eye specialist and get DL63 form certified. I went to specialist and examined and confirmed My both eyes are 20/20. Now If I submit this form to DMV office, does my DL gets renewed or still Do I need to be passed eye test at DMV?
@ Sivaji
Most states will accept the eye examiners findings.
How long before I can expect a reply concerning my vision waiver in Texas?
I’ve been looking for a way to check the status but can’t seem to find anything helpful.
@ Jody M
Try contacting TX cdl drivers licensing. They should be able to guide you.
Hello, I had a detached retina when I was 13 and I recently had to get a federal vision exemption due to my injury. I passed the dot physical and received both a doctors recommendation and an optometrist recommendation stating that I am safe to drive my companies truck. Dot denied my vision exemption due to my lack of driving experience. Do you know if there is a way to appeal this decision? Thank you in advance
I also found out that my company vehicle isnt a cmv, and my route van only requires a class c drivers license
@ Darrell M
If your vehicle is used for commerce (makes money for somebody), then your state may require a valid medical card. Check with your state DLD.
@ Darrell m
FMCSA has set guidelines and regulations, so first check with DOT as to the time line needed. Also, depends on the class drivers license you are applying for. CDL class A is the most strict, due to the nature of the job. Other classes may fall under the states variances.
Are you required by law to carry a spare set of prescription glasses with you when driving a CDL? I was told if you didn’t have a spare you could be cited.
@ George O’N
FMCSA and class A guidelines would require a spare set of prescription corrective lenses.
I have monocular vision and I was wondering if you might’ve heard if the US government is potentially going to reduce or eliminate the 3 years of CMV driving requirement for the vision waiver.
Thanks.
@ Jacob P L
FMCSA is re-writing the guidelines, but to our knowledge, at the moment, there have been no changes yet.
How long does it take a Texas Vision waiver to come in
@ Nanthaniel M
Check with the state of Texas for your best answer.
In Texas or Louisiana if you have never had A commercial driver’s license Can you get a vision waiver with no previous commercial driving experience?
@ John
Check with your local drivers license department, they will have a better answer for you.