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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 went ahead and had my cataract surgery in both eyes and an opted for distance in both eyes. My CDL is up for renewal next month. Do I take documentation showing I had cataract surgery or is there a special form I need to have the doctor fill out? Or do I just go and take the eye test with no glasses on. (my driver’s license has said corrective lenses for 20 years)
@ Lynnie
Take a note that the surgery was done and you have been released. That should be all the CME needs. Then you may have to go get a new drivers license, to remove the corrective lenses required. Keep a copy of the note from the doctor that did the surgery.
I’m 66 and going to have cataract surgery go with monovision. Can I still get my CDL if I wear glasses while driving to correct the monovision? I plan to drive a couple more years and then after that I would give up the glasses.
@ Lynne
Yes
Just make sure you update it on your license and medical card. You could get a ticket if you don’t.
I’m having cataract surgery next month and my plan is to go with monocular lenses in both eyes with one set for distance and the other for nearer vision. Insurance will cover this but will this affect my CDL, the eye exam, etc?
@ Rhonda
Class A CDL. If you do this, you will need glasses to perform the medical certification examination and will have to wear corrective lenses during driving periods. Best to go with distance vision in both eyes and corrective lenses for reading.
Will an intraocular monofocal lense implant fail me for DOT Physical?
@ Frankie
DOT/FMCSA wants a visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye. This can be without or with corrective lenses.
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
@ Samara P
With the proper medical documentation, it is possible.
Do u know what the proper documents would be?
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
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.
@ 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.
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.
@ 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.
This is a lazy eye problem. According to the new regulations, you can even drive a commercial truck with it.
One eye not problem.
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!
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.
@ 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.
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.
@ 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.
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?
@ 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.
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.
@ 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.
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?
@ 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.
What are requirements if you had cataract surgery and now have monovision lenses in your eyes. Do you need proof from a optometrist?
@ 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.
Is there a waiting period to be able to return to work after eye surgery beyond what the Dr says?
@ Johnny D
All you need is a full medical release to return to work, without restrictions or limitations.
Just got diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and my left eye will I be disqualified for a class a license
@ Ty T L
It will depend on how much it effects your visual acuity.
A driver’s medical card is expiring mid-July, they have better than 20/20 in their right eye but need to have cataract surgery on the left eye 8/1. Will they be bale to get even a temporary med card to get them past their surgery recovery date so they can drive until their surgery?
@ Brad
DOT/FMCSA has already extended the deadline to the end of August. You should be fine.
If I am having cataract surgery am I required to update my med card and do I need to have the surgery listed on my long form?
@ Sheila
Yes, you will need to update a new medical certification examination and the intake form will ask if you have had any surgeries.
does the DOT form have to be checked if a driver uses glasses only for near vision?
@ OLOLPG
No
I had a stroke about 7 weeks ago and was told my right field of vision was affected. Who can I go to for an ophthalmologist in DeLand, Fl to have my right field of vision tested?
During a regular annual physical my vision was impaired and my employer says I need a new certificate however my current one is not near expiration. Do I have to get re certified now?
@ Brendan
Class A, DOT/FMCSA, depending on the reasoning for the visual impairment. Since class A drivers physical demands are greater, a new physical should be requested. A lesser class cdl, maybe not.
Good afternoon. Do you need a medical card to drive a Sprinter van that’s not listed as commercial?
My current Fed Med Card is restricted to operation with corrective lenses. I recently had lasik surgery and no longer need glasses. Do I need to have a new physical to be in compliance?
@ Carl
Yes, for a class A, DOT/FMCSA requires a new medical card for this.
Number of pair of prescription glasses must I have in truck
@ Will
One backup pair should be sufficient.