DOT Physical Doctors

Driver Friendly™ DOT Physical Locations

  • Find a DOT Doctor
  • Driver Q&A
  • Blog
  • Start Here
  • Doctors Only
Home » Q & A about DOT Physical Requirements » Vision

Vision

vision med

403dPlease 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 am legally blind in one eye from an injury? With documentation from my eye specialist can I pass the DOT physical?

I need to obtain a vision waiver. Where can I get the forms?

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?

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?

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?

more questions

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.

Comments

  1. Samara P says

    September 29, 2022 at 5:29 pm

    My son had a prosthetic eye but 20/20 in his other eye do you think he would be able to pass the dot physical

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      September 30, 2022 at 6:23 am

      @ Samara P
      With the proper medical documentation, it is possible.

      Reply
      • Robin says

        November 15, 2022 at 7:47 pm

        Do u know what the proper documents would be?

        Reply
        • Tom says

          December 20, 2022 at 5:49 pm

          You need MCSA 5871 – Vision Evaluation form filled out by your eye doctor.

          https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical/vision-evaluation-report-form-mcsa-5871

  2. Butler S says

    September 23, 2022 at 1:02 pm

    Good morning..

    Under the knew provisions for eye-sight set forward by FMCSA. If I have 20/20 in one eye but am legally blind in the other eye. Can I obtain a Medical Card? I am not trying to obtain a CDL, just a medical card for other driving purposes.

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      September 24, 2022 at 7:16 am

      @ Butler S
      Seeking a medical card for a driving position that does not require a cdl, means you fall under the states guidelines and variances, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Make sure the medical examiner understands the different regulations between state and federal. Your situation is going to be a state issue.

      Reply
  3. Mike says

    September 19, 2022 at 1:54 pm

    Hi I have a concern about my eye vision. I’ve had my cdl A for 2 years now. My right eye is my dominant eye and I see everything fine without glasses but when I close my right eye my left eye vision is blurry and not so good. I’ve had glasses prescribed to me but they don’t do any justice because it’s like I’m using glasses with good vision cause of my right eye dominance. When I take my DOT physical I can barely pass the vision test with my right eye covered. It worries me but confuses me as well because I’ve been driving all my life and it doesn’t affect my view of the road at all. I still have my peripheral on my left and my can see colors just fine it’s just that one test where I cover my right eye to take the vision test with my left I almost fail even with glasses. I don’t need glasses but on “paper” I do but they really do not help when I have them on if you get what I’m saying. I would only need it to pass a dot physical but nothing more. But barely passing it with my left eye makes me wish I had glasses where my left eye lens were able to look at the chart closer. Like a little more zoomed in than it is now. I’m just nervous I won’t pass the exam one day and I see just fine except the small letters on a chart. Idk I’m just confused and hope I can get through this. Are reading glasses allowed for the eye exam portion of the dot physical? Keep in mind I don’t need glasses only when it comes to that test for my left eye. I drive nights, mornings, storms, I see it all. Signs as well. Pleas help or give me any advice please.

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      September 20, 2022 at 6:37 am

      @ Mike
      Get your eyes examined by a ophthalmologist to find out the underlying cause for the visual differences. No matter which type of glasses/corrective lenses you use, it will be marked needs corrective lenses to drive on your medical card.

      Reply
    • Batur says

      January 2, 2023 at 6:33 pm

      This is a lazy eye problem. According to the new regulations, you can even drive a commercial truck with it.

      One eye not problem.

      Reply
  4. Robert says

    September 17, 2022 at 10:41 am

    Hello and thank you for the blog. I just wanted to update you on a recent change with respect to vision. I am a CDME working out of Fond du, Lac Wisconsin and I believe there should be some clarification as to new guidelines.

    From the FMCSA Website”

    Vision Evaluation Report Form MCSA-5871_0.pdf (271.07 KB)

    About the Vision Evaluation Report, Form MCSA–5871:
    The Qualification of Drivers; Vision Standard final rule (87 FR 3390, Jan. 21, 2022) requires that at least annually, an individual who does not satisfy, with the worse eye, either the distant visual acuity standard with corrective lenses or the field of vision standard, or both, must be medically examined and certified by a Medical Examiner as physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. The Medical Examiner must receive a completed Vision Evaluation Report, Form MCSA–5871, that is signed and dated by an ophthalmologist or optometrist before each required physical qualification examination. The examination conducted by the Medical Examiner must begin not more than 45 days after an ophthalmologist or optometrist signs and dates the Vision Evaluation Report, Form MCSA–5871.

    Last updated: Wednesday, March 30, 2022

    So the new rules states that as long as the driver has one eye that meets the 20/40 or better cutoff, they are still able to drive if they present the aforementioned form properly filled out by either an ophthalmologist or an optometrist.
    Hope this helps!

    Reply
    • Michael says

      December 30, 2022 at 11:26 pm

      I don’t know if you will get this because your post is from months ago. You still need more clarification because I just woke up with a macular edema on nov 18, 2022. My dot card needs renewed on jan 11 2023. I am seeing an ophthalmologist and I am getting shots to correct it but on the form even though my good eye is 20/20 and I pass the field of vision he still marked NO on question 12 asking if ive had the condition long enough to be able to adjust to the vision change and drive a cmv safely. I’ve been driving since it happened and driving 3 hrs to see him for my appointments. I called the FMCSA directly and they say its up to the person who will perform the rest of the dot card physical. Honestly what chance do i really have? The eye doctor signed my termination paper after 20 yrs of driving. I can see fine with both eyes, just a little blurry while its getting fixed.

      Reply
      • Trucker Docs™ says

        January 1, 2023 at 11:30 am

        @ Michael
        For class A cdl, You are not presently qualified to pass a DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination until the vision is corrected and stable.

        Reply
        • Michael says

          January 1, 2023 at 5:34 pm

          I’m literally confused here. You’ve told someone with a glass eye they just need the form filled out. You’ve told someone legally blind in one eye he will be able to drive, but in my situation I’m done? The second shot is already noticeably improving my vision. What is the waiver for if not for this? How “corrected” are you talking? How “stable”? My vision isn’t going in and out.

        • Trucker Docs™ says

          January 2, 2023 at 7:13 am

          @ Michael
          You read a lot into our response. You are not “Done” you will simply need your condition to be stable. If you feel that your eye situation is ready, then go for the examination. It will fall to the medical examiner to make a final decision.
          We get a sample of biased information from the drivers asking medical questions. Yet we do not have the driver in front of us to evaluate. Difficult at best to give solid feedback.

  5. Clint says

    September 14, 2022 at 2:38 pm

    I have 20/200 vision in my right eye and corrective lenses do not help. I have always been able to have a regular drivers license with a note from my doctor saying that the corrective lenses don’t work. Can I be DOT certified?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      September 14, 2022 at 7:18 pm

      @ Clint
      For a class A cdl, you will need a vision waiver from DOT/FMCSA. For a less class cdl or intra-state only you will need to check with your local drivers license department for your states requirements and regulations.

      Reply
  6. Doug says

    August 31, 2022 at 8:10 pm

    What if you get shots in one eye because there is bleeding behind the eye. The eye Dr says you are considered legally blind so you can not renew your medical card ever, you cannot drive a DOT vehicle ever. Is this true? I know someone that this happened to my eyes are fine.

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      September 1, 2022 at 6:54 am

      @ Doug
      It would take a bit of ground work and patients, but the driver may be able to return to driving with the proper documentation and restrictions.

      Reply
  7. Barry says

    August 23, 2022 at 9:54 am

    I just passed my DOT physical no problem but the Dr said I can only have a 1 year because I wear glasses all of my previous medical cards were 2 years and nothing has changed has DOT changed the rules?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      August 24, 2022 at 7:06 am

      @ Barry
      DOT/FMCSA has made no such changes. There is no time frame limitation for wearing glasses. We have never heard of this. Go else where next time for a second opinion.

      Reply
  8. Gayle R says

    August 23, 2022 at 8:33 am

    What are requirements if you had cataract surgery and now have monovision lenses in your eyes. Do you need proof from a optometrist?

    Reply
    • Trucker Docs™ says

      August 24, 2022 at 7:14 am

      @ Gayle R
      DOT/FMCSA requires that you be able to read an eye chart at 20 feet with 20/40 or better, with or without glasses, with each eye individually. Meaning that your short focus must read the chart with or without corrective lenses. Otherwise you are considered monocular and can not pass the DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination for a class A driver.

      Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Comments and Questions Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

find DOT physical location

DOT Physical Without Hassles

DOT Physical Exam Guidebook

What you need to know about getting your Medical Card.
Get the GUIDEBOOK here

Driver Q&A Categories

BP and Hypertension
Breathing
Cardiovascular
Extremities and Trunk
FMCSA Regulations
Hearing
Medications
Neurologic and Mental
Sleep Disorders
Vision
Other Questions

Blog Categories

  • Ask Trucker Docs (1)
  • DOT Medical Card (5)
  • DOT Medical Requirements (10)
  • FMCSA Regulations (11)
  • Medical Conditions (7)
  • Sleep Apnea (6)
  • Trucker Stories (1)
  • Uncategorized (2)

DOT Physical DOCTORS by State

   

Alabama     Alaska     Arizona     Arkansas     California     Colorado     Connecticut     Delaware     Florida     Georgia     Hawaii     Idaho     Illinois     Indiana     Iowa     Kansas     Kentucky     Louisiana     Maine     Maryland     Massachusetts    Michigan     Minnesota     Mississippi     Missouri     Montana    Nebraska     Nevada     New Hampshire     New Jersey     New Mexico     New York     North Carolina     North Dakota    Ohio     Oklahoma     Oregon     Pennsylvania     Rhode Island     South Carolina     South Dakota     Tennessee     Texas     Utah     Vermont     Virginia    Washington     West Virginia     Wisconsin     Wyoming

(click on State name to find a DOT physical location near you)

Search DOTPhysicalDOCTOR.com

The information provided on this website should not serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Please see a qualified medical provider if you have any concerns about your state of health.

Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions

About | Contact

DOCTORS ONLY

CME Premier Plan - Sign Up

CME Marketing

MEMBER Login

MEMBER Resources / Cancel

Copyright ©2010-2025 Emiton LLC All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized duplication or publication of any materials from this site is expressly prohibited.