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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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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.
I am trying to get my cel my eye doctor got my bad eye 20/400 to 20/60
And my good eye 20/40 Can I still get my Cdl interstate
@ Daniel
Class A cdl requires a 20/40 or better in each eye, with or without the use of corrective lenses. 20/60 , even with corrective lenses would not pass a FMCSA/DOT medical examination for interstate driving.
What are the requirements for eye test if you’re a mechanic and can’t get 20/40 vision in one eye.
@ stephen B
FMCSA is strict on vision, but as a mechanic, not sure where your question is aimed. FMCSA requires 20/40 or better in each eye individually, but that can be done with corrective lenses.
My left eye Corrected is 20/80 and my right eye is 20/20 and together they are 20/20. I have to get a cataract surgery and prescription glasses to try and help my left eye but is there any way I can get it exempted for a class A cdl? I’ve driven for three years with a perfect record.
And how do I get that exemption waiver if it can be done
@ Konner
You will have to go through FMCSA for the exemption papers. Check their website for more information.
Will I be disqualified from my CDL, I have 20/20 in one eye with full field and 20/40 in the other eye with 20 degrees field?
@ Dona
You may still qualify to drive CDL with restrictions. Class A will require a visual exemption or a SPE evaluation. Your state may have varying guidelines, so check with your state too.
I have a friend who just lost his eye due to a tumor. Would he still be qualified to use his CDL for OTR? He has 20/20 in the good eye with a contact.
@ Kelli B
It is possible to driver class A OTR with one good eye and the process is a huge pain to go through. Maybe intra-state only with the restriction on his drivers license and medical card. State requirements may be more lenient on this issue.
Will having ageing cataracts cause me to fail the dot physical or as long as I can pass the vision test I will be ok
@ Matt C
The condition will raise questions. Your best bet is to have your eye doctor do a complete eye examination and give you a copy to take to your DOT medical certification examination.
I live in PA but I work full time in NYC. I need clarity with whats acceptable regarding vision in NYC. My optometrist gave me a form that says that as long as I have 20/40 in one or both eyes, I am good to go. Can I either take this eye report to PA and be approved for the DOT physical or should I take the physical in NYC and bring the physical report or card to PA to take the CDL permit?
@ George T
FMCSA requires 20/40 or better in each eye individually, with or without corrective lenses. Medical certification cards are good federally, so it does not matter where the examination is done. If your license is in PA, then PA will need a copy of your medical certification to attach to your drivers license.
I am an OD who saw a CDL candidate today… Visual acuity is 20/20 OD, 20/20 OS, but the patient has strabismus and doesn’t truly have binocular acuity. Acuity OU is 20/20, but that is mainly coming from her right eye. She has a CDL and has driven a bus for 6 years with no incidents… Does she qualify because of her OU acuity, or not because of no true binocular vision? Thanks!
@ Dave H
She is driving a bus which puts her under the states variances and not FMCSA. The FMCSA guidelines where established for the long-haul, over the road, tractor/trailer drivers. Your state has a set of guidelines that may vary from the FMCSA. Check with the state first, unless her cdl is a class A. If it is she falls under FMCSA guidelines. FMCSA guidelines require that a driver have a visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye, with or without corrective lenses. She would also need a peripheral field of vision of 70 degrees of center, in each eye.
I have 20/20 in one eye and 20/60 with glasses in the other am I able to get a cdl in Texas and drive interstate Also I do not have any health problems and can see colors with both eyes peripheral vision is good in both eyes
@ Blackrain
FMCSA requires interstate drivers maintain a 20/40, or better, in each eye individually. The state may have different visual variances, so check with your local drivers licensing department regarding visual restrictions.
OK thanks. So spoke with a Texas dot person today she said if I’m 20/20 in one eye and 20/70or better in the other eye corrected or non corrected that I was OK for a cdl. So I’m guessing that’s for driving in state? Or maybe she does not know
@ Blackrain
Most likely intra-state only.
if I fail my eye test at the dot Dr can I go to my eye Dr’s and get my eyes check and pass it there can he Wright the Dr and tell him I pass
@ Doyle C
All you need to do is get your eye doctor to do an examination, then ask for a copy to take to your DOT medical examiner.
REGARDING COLOR REQUIREMENT
Passing a Ishihara color text is NOT required. All a driver needs to be able to do is prove that they can DISTINGUISH between red, green and yellow. If the driver can distinguish these colors the driver has passed the color portion of the exam.
I have a slight color deficiency. I have no problem distinguishing red yellow and green. I’m having difficulty getting a doctor to sign off on this
@ Useman
You don’t need a doctor to sign off on this. You must be able to distinguish red, yellow and green, that’s it.
I have been driving ror the same company for over 20 yrs I have a cdl am I recently failed the vision part of my medical test since then I had a vision test I have 20/20 in my left eye and 20/150 in my right eye I have test results from myeye doctor I only nd to drive intrastate of Pennsylvania how do I get a medical waiver my vision cant be repaired or corrected with glasses have no accidents or violations passed all other requirments
@ Robert k
You will need to talk with your local drivers license department for your best answer here. They should have all the forms that are needed for your situation.
I went to to get my dot physical done to get my class a cdl permit but failed because of a cordial thinning disease in my right eye does this qualify me for the exemption? the eye examiner said I had 20/10 in my left and 20/50 in my right. And I’m in Wisconsin.
@ Nick
You will need to check with the FMCSA to get a final answer
How long should one have an intrastate cdl before apply for the interstate cdl vision waiver?
@ Amanda
Start the process as soon as possible. It may take some time.
Can I use my ophthalmologist vision test for my DOT medical physical test? I have 20/40 in one eye, 20/20 in the other eye and 20/20 in both is this considered a monovision? thank you for your reply.
No this is a passing visual Aquity
Clarification: I was told if a driver is wearing glasses or contacts you ask them to take the glasses off to document uncorrected and redo exam with glasses on to document corrected.
Do you do the exam this way or does it just mean that uncorrected they do not wear glasses or contacts and correct they do wearing glasses or contacts, and you only have to do the exam as corrected or uncorrected not both?
@ Chris D
Some state, like california, demand a eye test with and without corrective lenses. Most states do not require that both be done. If the drivers license states the driver must wear corrective lenses, the he is test with corrective lenses on.
I am 20 20 in both eyes. But I have lost the ability to track with 1 eye. So I see double. If I close one eye or cover it I am fine. Does this disqualify me from driving?
@ Lonnie
It will make passing the eye portion of the DOT medical certification examination very difficult. FMCSA is requesting a 70 degrees or better lateral vision in each eye.
I recently had cateracs removed and had numerous eye tests done with my optomologist. Can I use the results from my Dr. for my DOT eye test instead of taking it at my physical??
@ Gail A
Yes.
I am considering obtaining a CDL in Colorado, have macular degeneration. Would this diagnosis disqualify me automatically? Am interested in driving locally, not long haul. Thanks
@ Joyce H
CDL’s are classed and have different requirements for each class. If you are able to drive a motor vehicle in your state now, then you may acquire a cdl to drive locally. The diagnosis is not an instant disqualifier.
I recently had my yearly vision checkup at my optometrists office. I have 20/20 vision in both eyes after cataract surgery, no restrictions. I have a phobia about putting my face in the Dot vision tester for my license renewal. Can I get a waiver from my optometrist? This is for renewal of license in Iowa
@ Marlene P
A copy of the results from your eye doctor, in hand, should be sufficient.
I was diagnosed in early January of this last year with a cataract in my right eye. About 3 weeks later I had it removed along with fixing an astigmatism. My vision went from 20/70 to 20/20. I was able to schedule the procedure with an already scheduled vacation so I wouldn’t have to miss work. I’m taking my DOT physical next week. My company didn’t know I had this done. They compar your new physical with the last one. They’re going to see a big change in my right eye, along with the cataract box checked off. One question is would I have needed a med recert to come back to work? I searched the medical section of the fmcsr and couldn’t find much about it. Is there another publication that gets into more detail about physical problems and issues that would tell us what physical problems and issues need a medical recert to come back to work. I’m sure the dot exam Dr’s have some kind of guidelines that they follow. Because there are times where we don’t know if it’s dot rules or company rules.
@ John M
Once you have any illness, injury, or scheduled procedures done, your medical certificate becomes in-valid. To return to work, you need a full medical release form from your doctor stating you have no restrictions and a new DOT medical certificate. The correction to your vision should not be an issue.