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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 have a slight case of Strabismus (misalignment of the eyes), so while I don’t quite “see double” all the time, but I am worried that it will cause me to fail the vision test. From what I read, do I need to have it waived, or will getting 20/40 in both eyes be enough to pass?
@ Brad
The eye test is completed with 1. both eyes reading the chart. 2. then each eye individually. 20/40 with both test process’s is passing. That can be with or without corrective lenses.
I have to wear tinted glasses for night driving after a tbi. Will this disqualify me from my dot medical card?
@ Brian S
It should not be an issue at all.
Peripheral vision needs to be “normal” to qualify for DOT, how does DOT define normal peripheral vision?
@ Kevin
70 degrees from center or 140 degrees with both eyes.
I never wore glasses before but now I started wearing them will this effect anything when I go take the dot physical
@ Alex
Depending on whether the corrective lenses are for distance or reading. For distance, it may become mandatory to wear them during driving and would be marked on your medical card as such. Reading, no big issue.
Lost vision in left eye 2020 on a wild fire passed eye exam last year have to renew med card do I have concerns any new surprises to worry about
@ DaveS
Depending on the class cdl you hold. If you passed last year, then you should be good for this year.
IS CATARACT SURGERY A PROBLEM WITH THE DOT REQUIREMENTS FOR ANYTHING..VISION, IMPLANTS, ETC.
@ Nancy
No issues unless there are limits, such as, loss of peripheral vision, or loss of visual acuity.
After having a corneal replacement over a year ago, I still have stitches in my eye. One eye tests 20/40, however the one with stitches is 20/80. It’s improving and my Specialist is removing the remaining stitches in 2 weeks. She wants to follow up with removal of cataracts Deadline for testing is in 4 Days. Any suggestions for me?
@ Diane K
You are not ready to take a class A medical certification examination. Get fully healed and released to return to work, without restrictions or limitations. Then take the examination.
If I can pass my vision test at eye Dr but when I go for DOT they say differently and I have no problems when I am driving, what can happen.
@ Carl P
Your eye doctor does a more thorough examination then the CME, asking you to read a Snelling chart at 20 feet in odd lighting conditions. The CME should take your eye doctors findings into consideration during his decision making process.
I recently went to have a DOT physical for a job as a heavy duty truck mechanic. I have a prosthetic right eye and was not allowed to complete my DOT physical until I received a “vision waiver” from my employer. I’m not driving and will not be applying for my CDL. Is this right especially given the new vision requirements coming 03/22/22?
Thank you.
@ Juan
It appears that he/she is wanting clarification from your employer that you will not be driving a commercial vehicle. The CME is asking for a vision waiver from your employer and not the federal DOT/FMCSA.
If I have 20/20 vision In my left eye and 20/70 in my right eye would be able to pass?
@ Zack
For a class A cdl: The vision must be 20/40 or better with corrective lenses, in each eye. If going for a class A, you would need a vision waiver from the DOT/FMCSA. If it’s a lesser class license, you fall under the states regulations and variances, not federal DOT.
If the waiver only lasts for 2 years, you have to resubmit and wait another 6 months for a reply?? I don’t know any employer that would agree to that.
I’m going to have mohs surgery. That will require me to wear an eye patch while skin heals. Will I be able to drive? I’m an daily propane driver and have a cell to do my job.
@ Samuel OB
It depends on the class license you presently carry. Class A, you will need a new physical as soon as the doctors release you to return to work, without restrictions or limitations. Class B or less, you fall under the states guidelines and variances and you will need to check with your local drivers license department for the best answer.
I’ve been driver 38 years and passed many physicals and never was tested for night vision blindess which I now believe I have. Does this disqualify me? Do I report it to MRO ?
@ Vic G
Best to have your eyes checked by your eye specialist. There are conditions that cause this situation and could be acted on quickly. It will raise questions with the CME and he would probably ask you to have it checked out before going any further.
In response to a question I asked about dot vision test Dr made me stand at 40 ft and read 20/40 line she failed Me do I have a recourse to this? What options do I have? Can I tell her it should be 20ft or do the Dr s do what they want?
@ James h
This is not in accordance with the DOT/FMCSA guidelines. Report it and go elsewhere for a second opinion.
Can I wear multifocal contact lenses while driving
@ Jim
As long as both eyes and each eye individually can read at a 20/40 level or better.
At what distance from the eye chart do u have to stand for dot vision test?
@ James h
20 feet.
I took my test she made me stand at 40 ft and read 20/40 line one eye couldn’t do it she failed me
@ James h
That is an incorrect process. 20 feet and read the 20/20 line, DOT/FMCSA
I took my test she made me stand at 40 ft and read 20/40 line one eye couldn’t do it she failed Me she told me dot was 40ft had to read 20/40 line for dot
I have had cataract surgery and my old lenses replaced with new lenses which gives me 20/20 vision. I easily pass the standard wall eye-chart, but I fail when I have my eyes tested at the driver’s license bureau when they use a smart eye testing machine..not a wall-chart! I guess the eye-test machine can sense that my eye is not a normal eye, so I fail the test. I then have to get a letter from my eye doctor that I have normal 20/20 vision. I conclude that these machines can tell that my eye, though 20/20 can sense the changes made by the cataract surgery.
@ Robert M. M
The machines that the drivers license departments use are not truly designed to detect 20/20 vision. 20/20 vision is what most people see at 20 feet. The little machine is showing you for reading, not 20 feet away. That’s drivers license department not DOT/FMCSA, we test at 20 feet.
Will l,be able to renew my driver’s license ln florida with a reading of 20/25 in both eyes.
@ Glenda P
This is a question for Florida drivers license department.
I have my DOT medical card, passed everything but I have light sensitivity. Is top tint illegal on my truck? SHP says so but when I bought the truck it was on there.
@ Meliessa
Each state has differing opinions on window tinting. Best to confirm with your state regarding the tint. If it does not interfere with night driving, then the state may be OK with it.
I am currently in CDL school and have already acquired my DOT medical card. I wasn’t able to pass the vision test with my left eye, as it is 20/70 even with corrective lenses, but a letter from my doctor was enough to convince them to issue the card with restrictions(glasses and a yearly checkup). However, when the DMV decided to do their own testing on my vision when I went for my permit test. Now they’re telling me I need a federal vision wavier. I’m confused why my vision is being tested again AFTER acquiring the card. Shouldn’t I have needed the federal wavier to even pass the medical exam?
@ Eve S
DOT/FMCSA for a class A license requires a 20/40 or better in each eye, with or without corrective lenses. The CME should not have passed you with a vision of 20/70, corrected or uncorrected. You would require a federal vision waiver, unless your cdl is not going to be a class A license. If this is the case, then you fall under your states drivers license departments guidelines and variances.
So can I get a class B CDL without vision in one eye without a waiver? Anything helps
@ Ray
Class B is a state issued license and falls under the states guidelines and variances, not DOT/FMCSA. Check with your local drivers license department for your best answer.