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 live in Washington state, I had to get two eye surgery’s on my left eye because of a detached retina. When the stapled the retina back down it left holes in the center of my eye so everything looks blurry and very small. My right eye still has 20/20 though and I can get 20/30 in the actual optometrist office but not during the chart test from the physical. Is there a way to get that waived in place of optometrist signing off or what?
@ Allen L
The CME should accept your optometrist findings. If you are a class A driver, then there will be questions, but he should still accept the optometrist reported findings.
Hi, My friend just got his Dot medical card for a job in Alabama without having to get FMCSA vision exemption. It is a non-cdl job, he has a glass eye in one eye.
I just was told at my DOT FMCSA physical that I would need to get an FMCSA exemption for a non-CDL job in the same state. I can see in both eyes but have 20/200 in one of them. My eye dr. even wrote me a statement that I have 20/20 in one eye and 20/200 in the other and he believes I am safe to drive a CMV, with no restrictions. Good peripheral. Again, friend has no sight at all in one eye. Why the difference? Do doctors have a lot of leeway in this area or something? Thanks.
@ Michael Lee C
To answer all your questions. You, as a non-cdl holder, will fall under the states guidelines and variances, not FMCSA. The examiner is trying to hold you to a class A cdl holder, which you are not. Your classification will be for intra-state only according to the states requirements and regulation. The examiner should know the differences and should pass/fail based on the states guidelines, not DOT/FMCSA.
Do i need to have my dot physical or license renewed after getting lasik? Since i do t have the handicap anymore.
@ Catherine H
The main issue will be the medical card and your license will indicate the need for corrective lenses, which you no longer need. It could make your life easier if they both indicated no need for corrective lenses. At least make sure you have a way to inform any officer of the changes, if you get stopped.
Hubby wants to have Lasik done. His first consultation recommended Lasik in one eye and KAMRA in the other. I want present at the consultation, but husband was under the impression that would result in one eye for distance vision and one for near vision.
When going for a consultation at a ridership office, that doesn’t offer KAMRA, that it would disqualify him from a cdl-a. He got upset and walked out of the office without questioning further.
He’s a current cdl-a gender driver in NC with over 15 years of cdl experience.
Would the Lasik/KAMRA cause him to not pass the dot physical?
@ Shelly
DOT/FMCSA requires a 20/40 or better in each eye individually. If one eye is for distance and one for reading, according to DOT/FMCSA he would be classed as monocular, unless he gets glasses that would allow him to see 20/40 or better with the reading eye. And he would have ‘must wear glasses’ when driving. Best to get the Lasik for distance in both eyes and wear glasses when he wants to read.
I have a driver who has always been blind in his left eye, is it possible he could get a DOT Physical for his home state only?
@ Darlene M H
Most likely. Your driver will fall under the states guidelines and variances, not FMCSA.
Hi, I have a question, can I get a commercial driver’s license, being blind in one eye?
@ Lucas q
For a class A interstate, you will have plenty of hoops to jump through. For a less class cdl or intra-state only cdl, you will fall under the state guidelines and variances. Check with your local drivers license department for guidance on this issue.
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.
When you renew your license and if you fail your vision and you become intrastate do you lose your hazmat endorsement?
@ Jackie f
That would be a state related question. Check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
No I have Texas intrastate cdl with hazmat
I have been driving for 3 years no accidents or nothing i just recently had an eye appointment with new glasses and I am not reading at least 20/40 in my left eye. My license expires in August so i have to redo a vision test and will most likely fail it. Can I apply for a waiver or do i have to wait until i have some experience driving with this issue with my eye
@ Shane F
Have your eye doctor complete a full eye and visual examination. Hopefully he will be able to correct, with glasses or contacts, to a 20/40 level. If not, you can apply for a FMCSA visual waiver. That may entail a SPE specialist to perform the final driving ability examination. You have a little time, so let your eye doctor do all he can first, then see if you really need the waiver.
I have a patient that is a Commercial truck driver and had a retinal detachment in his left eye. Currenty his vision in that eye is 20/250, we have hopes of returning more vision but with his recurrent retinal detachment not much vision is expected to return due to damage done. With the vision waiver form. His right eye is correctable to 20/16.Please advise
@ RCT CRC
Depending on the class driver you are dealing with will determine which steps to take next. Class A drivers are held at a much higher standard then lesser class drivers. As a class A driver he will need to be fully released and a vision waiver. Also a driving specialist examination certificate to determine his abilities with his visual loss. But it is all very do-able.
Is it acceptable to get laser eye surgery and then have contact lenses after the surgery as long as it meets the vision guidelines?
@ Robert R
Having laser surgery to correct a visual impairment is totally acceptable. Once you are cleared to return to work, even if wearing corrective lenses or contacts lenses is fine according to DOT/FMCSA. You will need to do a new DOT physical examination and disclose that you are wearing contact lenses. The CME will mark your medical card as using corrective lenses to drive. ***Side note: do not let your doctors prescribe a mix of short distance in one eye and long distance in the other. It would then be classified as mono vision and would force you to wear glasses to correct the visual differences, according to FMCSA.
I recently had a DOT physical and because I told them I had cataracts ( which are not ready to be removed. I see 20/20 with corrective lenses) they only renewed my physical for one year. I had a letter from my eye doctor stating my 20/20 with corrective lenses. They said it was because of the cataracts. This has never happened before. Is this correct?
@ Debra B
The CME is being safe in regards to your overall field of vision. The FMCSA guides indicate if a driver is presenting with any visual field questions, then be on the safe, and lowest risk, side.
I live in Massachusetts, I recently got Lasik done in only my right eye and my left eye I still use a contact. Both eyes together and separately I can see 20/40. I was turned down to finish the exam because the Dr. said I cannot do the vision test with only one eye having a corrective lens. Which I am confused about because regardless of only one eye having a contact I still can see 20/40 in both. I do not have monovision. Do you think the Dr. thought I did? If not can I pass?
@ Josh
If you wear one contact lens to see 20/40 or better and one eye sees 20/40 or better without a corrective lens, then there is no reason you should not pass the vision test. Your medical card should indicate that corrective lenses must be worn while driving.
I had surgery on both eyes. Right eye I have 20/30. Left eye there is 1/4 of oil still in eye, live in Illinois. Can I return to work or pass DOT physical?
@ Melvin E
If you are a class A driver, then no you will not pass a DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination at this time.
I am a first timer in getting a medical card for driving a commercial vehicle. It is a 12,000 lbs one ton pick-up pulling a 12,000 lbs trailer, therefore I don’t need a CDL but require a medical card. I need a vision waiver due to my left eye not meeting the 20-40 metric and I will need to travel into 2 states.
My question is does the federal vision waiver require 3 three years of experience? As I noted above I am new to this field of work and do not have any experience driving a commercial vehicle.
I lifted the information below from the US DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration site on information needed to file for a waiver, D2 seems to indicate I need the 3 years experience.driving a DMV with my vision deficiency. I am hoping this requirement doesn’t apply to a new CMV driver.
D. Supporting Documents
Your application must include supporting documents for each of the areas listed below,
showing that:
1. You now possess a valid “intrastate” CDL or a license (non-CDL) to operate a CMV
(e.g., a photostatic copy of both sides of the driver’s license or certification from the
State licensing agency showing the type and effective dates of your last license);
2. You operated a CMV with your vision deficiency for the 3-year period immediately
preceding the date of this application, by submitting the following:
a. A signed statement from your present and/or past employer(s) on company
letterhead. If letterhead is unavailable, you must obtain a notarized statement
from the employer(s). In the event your previous employer(s) are no longer in
business, or you were operating as an independent motor carrier, submit a
sworn notarized statement, signed by you.
b. Information in the statements must indicate the company’s DOT # or ICC #; if
your job was driving a CMV; what type of vehicle was operated; GVWR of
the vehicle; whether you drove full-time or part-time (list hours per week
@ Tom H
You fall under your states regulations and not DOT/FMCSA.
State variances differ from state to state. Best check with your local drivers license department for your best answer.