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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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if you fail the CDL vision test, what ahppens?
I have been driving with a CDL B for 19yrs. Starting my 20th. My DOT was due this year. I went to take the test and failed do to my vision. 10 Years ago I had cataract surgery in both eyes. I have worn glasses since the 2nd grade. I decided to have my vision corrected so I went with mono vision. Left eye for intermittent vision so that I can see the dash and all gauges, right eye for distance. This year the said that my left eye failed the exam. 20/50. I see better then 20/20 with both and don’t seem to be struggling to see the dash or anything else. If I get corrective glasses to pass the DOT I will have to wear them always and have that endorsement back on my licence.
Now please understand that my brain is now trained for mono vision. I do have a set of glasses that I can wear when watching TV or doing computer work, But by all means I cannot drive with them on. The looking around and back an forth makes me ill. Remember when I said my brain is trained for mono vision. It’s not that easy for for me to put on a pair of glasses. I could put them on to pass the test, but not to drive safely.
Oh and kinda being net-picky, but the told my go stand by that door jam, that’s about the right distance. I’m sorry when it comes to my job of almost 20 yrs. and they’re failing me I want to see exact measurements clearly marked on that floor for the proper distance.
HELP!
@ Gail B
You are a class B driver and fall under the states guidelines and variances. Your last examiner is holding you to a class A,Federal, standard, which you are not. Find an examiner that understands the difference between the two issues. If your state allows for mono vision, then you should be fine with your states variances and not DOT/FMCSA standards
I live in Ohio and have a class A CDL. I obtained a vision waiver from USDOT due to poor vision in my left eye. Am I eligible to get a hazmat endorsement if I pass the background check?
@ William H
Your endorsements will come from the state of Ohio. Check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
Brother how long did it take you to get the waiver ?
I need glasses to drive but tomorrow i am getting lasik will i have to get a new dot medical card that does not have the restriction for glasses?
@ Bobby
Yes. Wait until you are fully functional and then retest for your new medical card.
I was just asking for a friend he is blind in one eye from a accident but can see fine in the other can he still get his class B CDL ??
@ brandon
Class b falls under the states variances and most likely will allow your friend to drive. Because the class B cdl does come under the states variances, make sure the examiner understands the differences between state and federal guidelines.
I have some confusion over the Monocular vision diagnosis. Recently had an employee with 20/40 left eye and 20/70 right eye and 20/40 in both. The DOT examiner indicated this was Monocular vision, disqualified him from driving, and referred him to the ophthalmologist. He subsequently went to the ophthalmologist and was given a prescription for eyeglasses. My question is can he still be qualified with just a retest of his vision (wearing his glasses) or is this type of vision correction not allowed? The information is sketchy and I was told by the DOT examiner’s office he would need a waiver and that they would not retest him with his new glasses. I’ve read through the vision portion of the FMCSA Medical Examiner Handbook and it doesn’t answer this question from what I am reading. Is Monocular vision disqualifying in and of itself and requiring a waiver, or can it be corrected?
@ Tim M
If your driver, with corrective lenses, can pass the 20/40 or better, with each eye, then he can be certified. Your driver will need to retake the entire medical certification examination, don’t ask it’s a FMCSA thing. He does not need a waiver for vision. His medical card will indicate he wear his glasses/corrective lenses during periods of driving.
My eye just went bad a few months ago, perfect periphery, shapes, colors, light, movement all fine. I got a scar down the middle so I just can’t read too well with it and corrective lenses/sclarel lenses don’t help and I’m 29 so I’m not doing a corneal transplant every five years for the rest of my life. Basically I can’t read the license plate on a car in front of me but I can tell you what color, make and model it is and how many people are in it. But that doesn’t help to pass the 20/40 for me because it doesn’t matter what I can see if I can’t read small print with it.
I applied for an exemption within a month and got it back denied. Called to see why it was denied and was told I need 3 years of documented proof that I’ve been driving with a vision deficiency in one eye. Told the guy it just happened a few months ago and that’s why I was applying for the exemption. He told me I’m not supposed to be driving with it less than 20/40. I go how am I supposed to get the three years of proof I can drive safely with it if I’m not allowed to drive? He said I need to go intrastate because the state laws are more lenient than federal.
I’m switching to NY Intrastate because that’s where I have residency and I think they have different vision requirements that will allow me to keep driving. I looked at the website and it says you can pass the vision test looking with both eyes 20/40. I got that easy. Kept looking and it said for Class A Intrastate I need to pass the USDOT physical examination.
My question is if I am checking the intrastate box on the medical physical card will they give me the New York State eye exam (together 20/40) or do I still have to pass the federal eye exam (individual 20/40) to drive truck intrastate now? I called the DMV hotline here and the lady who answered seemed wishy-washy about her CDL knowledge. She read off their website the same thing I already saw about being able to do it with your eyes together. And I asked does that apply for CDL class A as well? And she said yes. But I don’t know if I trust her answer.
If I’m driving CDL class A intrastate in New York with no endorsements, do I have to only pass the NYS eye exam requirements or are they going to expect me to meet the federal standards for vision when I recert my medical card?
@ Nate
Each state varies, some states want you to do the federal medical examination and fail the exam, then the state issues a separate ‘in-state-only’ medical card. Check further into your states requirements. Go up the chain of command with your questions until you get a solid answer. Good Luck.
Does night blindness disqualify an individual from maintaining a cdl?
@ Francine B
Your cdl is state issued, so the best answer will come from your local drivers license department.
i didn’t pass the Ishihara test but I passed the D-15 test, I have no problem seeing traffic lights, construction signs, vehicle lights and I’ve been driving for over 5 years and had no problems with traffic lights but I see the CDL we have to pass a DOT physical to start the process of being a trucker how do I go about on that? What if I fail the colorblind test of this section since I can see traffic lights perfectly and have trouble seeing the number in the middle with 2 different colors showing
@ Raj
The Ishihara color test is not part of the DOT medical examination. Only the ability to distinguish red, green, and yellow correctly.