Please read through the Q&A before posting a question. This will help everyone to not have duplicate questions. Thank you!
If you still can’t find a related answer, then you are welcome to ask your question in the comments section below.
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.
Can’t Find An Answer For Your Question?
If you have a question that you feel has not been answered, scroll down to the Questions and Comments box and post your question.
- Before posting, please make sure you are on the appropriate Category page, so that relevant questions and answers can be found by other drivers too.
- To save us all from zombie spammers, your question will not appear on this page until it has been approved.
- Trucker Docs™ will answer your question as soon as possible.
- Visit this page again soon to see our response.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
Your comments are also welcome.
I have a question about prism glasses. My son had a concussion a few years ago and wears prism glasses to help with the nausea and headaches. His vison is 20/20 uncorrected for his DOT physical and his job is questioning the glasses and being able to have his medical card. Is he okay for being qualified to drive as he always tells them at the DOT and even puts it in the physical card that he wears them for concussion. No one else has questioned this before now.
@ Lori A
Just get supporting medical documentation from his doctor. It is not DOT/FMCSA that is questioning the glasses, but the employer. Give them the supporting information. He already passed the DOT/FMCSA medical examination, so it is not a DOT/FMCSA question.
You’ve touched on this topic earlier. If by wearing tinted contact lenses I can successfully differentiate between red, green, and amber, you said that I should be able to pass the FMSCA color differentiation requirement. What law or guidance says that I have the right to use tinted lenses? The visual acuity requirements (49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) make specific reference to using contact lenses, but I don’t see any reference to contact lenses with the color differentiation requirement in that same regulation.
Separate question: if I can use tinted contact lenses to pass the color requirement, can I also use tinted glasses?
@ Bill
If you can distinguish the differences in the color chart, then you pass the color phase of the examination. That includes any type of corrective lenses that will be required to wear during driving.
I would like to get my cdl problem is I only have one eye that I have 20/20 vision out of the other I can’t see out of anymore would I still be able to get my cdl and pass a eye exam or will I be waisting my time ?
@ Tim
For a class A, interstate cdl you will need a vision waiver. That will take a lot of time and most companies will want a few years driving experience under your belt. If you do a cdl for local/intra-state only, then you will fall under the states guidelines and variances. Suggest you go for the local side first, get the experience and then go for the vision waiver from FMCSA.
I have 20/20 in my left eye 20/50 in my right eye but see 20/20 with both together and it can’t be corrected with glasses or surgery it’s weak nerves in my right eye do I need a waiver
@ Joseph
For a class A driver, you will need a vision waiver, if your situation is not correctable.
how can one get a vision waiver
@ Mike L
Start with your local drivers license department, they should be able to guide you in the right direction.
I have a patient with a glass eye in the left eye. Therefore, he does not pass the peripheral vision aspect of the exam, but he has 20/20 vision of the right eye. He reports he has never had to get a FMSCA vision exemption waiver. Please advise.
@ Cheryl
DOT/FMCSA for a class A driver requires 20/40 or better with each eye (two). If he is not a class A driver then he falls under the states guidelines and variances. If he is not a class A driver, then you need to check with the state for their guidelines in this situation.
I have a driver that was injured in a wreck that left him with double vision. he can see forward with the aide of corrective lenses. he has double vision looking right and left. he is able to drive his car and when looking left and right he closes one eye and performs just fine. Would he qualify for an exemption and be able to drive.
@ ron
He would, most likely, qualify for the vision exemption. Check with your local drivers license department for guidance with this issue first and then with the DOT/FMCSA.
Can a CDL driver with Bell’s Palsy drive? This driver has an eye patch temporarily due to the condition.
@ Christy C
Fortunately Bell’s Palsy is usually a short term condition. As a class A driver wearing an eye patch and a recent diagnosis of the condition, your driver would be disqualified according to the DOT/FMCSA guidelines. Then he must be fully released without restrictions. He will need to have a new DOT medical examination to get him back on the road.
I failed the vision test 20/50 both eyes,can I be disqualified from driving or do I get a 3 month certification to have it corrected. the Doctor did dis qualify me.
@ James
Each CME makes his decision based on interpretation of the FMCSA guidelines, but the regulations are not up for interpretation. If your vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, then get it done and retake the examination. That would fix the problem, and you can go back to driving.