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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 need a state of Alabama eye exemption form not one from fmcsa how do I get one???????????
@David
Ask your local Alabama drivers license department.
Please I have the same situation as Ritchard and I have class C driver’s license, I am gonna drive the straight truck, intra-state
Thanks.
@Dan
Need some details to answer this question.
I have a prostetic eye and perfect vision in the other. My depth perception is normal. How do i go about getting a vision waiver in the state of new york. I would like to attend CDL training school.
@Ean
If you are going to go for an interstate driving position, then go to FMCSA’s website to start the process. If you are going to be driving intra-state only, then check with your local state DLD if more information.
Last time checked I was 20/50 would I be disqualified for vision. For a class B non-interstate.
@Sheila
Each state is different, so check with your state DLD to make the final determination.
Most states want at least 20/40 to drive, but that being said, if you are driving now, then it may qualify for the class B intra-state only. But check with your state to make sure.
I am applying for a job that will require a dot physical. I have had limited vision in my right eye due to an accident 30 yrs. ago that damaged optic nerves. The damage was to my center vision and I still have peripheral vision. My left eye is 20/20 corrected with glasses. I have never had a commercial license. The job uses DOT registered vehicles such as straight trucks to haul scissor lifts and Genie-Boons on occasion. I have a clean MVR for regular personal vehicles. The majority of the job will be in standard pick up truck driving. Occasional interstate travel may be required. Can I get an exemption for my vision?
@Richard
You leave out vital information from your question.
What driver license class are you and what/ how heavy is the equipment that you will be operating?
What’s the vision in the effected eye?
Are you driving intra-state or interstate routinely?
Based on your license type, will make answers a bit easier.
I need to obtain a vision waiver form . Spoke with my eye doctor and was told they do not have any form , that I must obtain the form.Is there a website that I can print one ?
@Stephen
To find out more and get the forms go to this FMCSA official webpage.
I went to the eye Dr and had an eye exam done recently. The Dr told me i have 20/20 in my left eye, and 20/50 correctable to 20/40 with Amblyopia in my right eye. I’ve ordered glasses could i pass the vision part of the dot physical with glasses on, or do i need to get some kind of visual waiver or exemption?
@Jordain
FMCSA requires a vision of 20/40 or better in both eyes and each eye individually.
That means 20/40 across the board including corrective lenses (with glasses on), so you should not have issues as long as you correct to 20/40 or better in each eye.
Hi im 26 years old and has had my class a cdl license, i have a very rare condition with my cornia on my left eye that there’s no glasses or surgery that can fix my cornia the only way possible is to get a transplant to get my vision back
Im from Texas and i heard it was possible to still drive with only one good eye, my question is how true is that and what do i need to get the vision waiver approved by texas standards
@Neythan
First start the process with Texas. From there you will need to go through FMCSA to obtain the vision waiver for a class A driver. It will take a little time, but it’s doable. Once you have the waiver, you will need to have a skills test done every two years, just to make sure that your are still safe as a monocular driver.
I see nothing for Washington D.C. where i live i’ve been driving trucks and busses since 1975 . I’ve had eye surgery in the left eye. The eye is still healing in the meantime i had to renew my DOT physical i passed everything except the left eye test. I had to surrender my class A for a regular so i could drive my car. But now they gave me 60 calendar days to get my vision to 20/40 my last exam in January was 20/50. What can i do. My city job has threatened to fire me.
@Beverly
Just get your eyes examined before you go to retake the DOT examination. If your eyes are not ready to return to work, then have the eye examiner write a brief note regarding your condition and expected healing time for you, and take it to the DOT examiner and to your employer.
You can’t speed up mother nature’s healing time, but the notation should be a big help.