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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’m trying to get my CDL. Can my eye doctor write a letter to excuse me from taking the DOT eye exam?
I wear contacts and glasses but I never do well on the vision test. But I can drive perfectly.
My eye doctor excused me from taking the eye exam to get my drivers license. I’m just trying to see if I could do the same with DOT physical.
@ Xavier
If you bring in a completed eye examination report/findings from your eye doctor, the CME can use it.
My drivers license is up for renewal 2/13/24, and MVA stated I need an updated exam for my renewal, I will make an appointment to do that, but what if I need more time to complete all of that , can I get a temporary waiver to renew, get my test and submit ?
@ Alisha W
Since your cdl is a state issued document, your best answer will come from your local drivers license department (DLD).
Hello. My right eye is 20/60. left eye 20/25, both eyes 20/25. I went to get a cdl class A driver’s license, they didn’t give me one. and was told to get a federal waiver. Can I get it so that I can be issued a driver’s license? and how can I do all this?
@ Vadim
Are the visual perimeters you provided with or without corrective lenses? If this is the best you can do with or without correction, then you will need a vision waiver.
Easiest way is to google MCSA-5871 download the pdf and print it. Have your eye doctor fill out the form and then take the medical certification examination. Your certification will be good for one (1) year at the time. There were new rulings about the waiver as of 3/2022. Make sure your medical examiner is using the new rules.
If a driver has cataract surgery and now has 20/20 in both eyes, do they need a new DOT medical exam showing the change in vision? They have a card showing they have internal lenses, so would that be sufficient if stopped and asked about corrective lenses?
@ Nancy
Class A cdl, new examination. Lesser class cdl falls under your states guidelines and regulations. Confirm with your local drivers license department (DLD) of clarification.
I have corrective lenses on my medical card do I need to get it added to my class A cdl
@ Bobbie M
When you get a chance to, yes.
I asked the doctor if I could try the I exam where I did not have to wear glasses on my License he told me that they didn’t like that so I went along with it now I am facing A A license suspensfor a month. Because I forgot to put my glasses on.l
@ cliff
Just put the corrective lenses on and retest.
I had cataract surgery and my vision now is mono vision. I had to take an eye exam and can’t pass it because the equipment at the testing center is not appropriate for a person with mono vision. They are requiring me to get an eye exam and spend $150 when it’s not needed. Why is this issue not addressed with your testing requirements
@ Karen W
DOT/FMCSA for a class A cdl holder requires 20/40 or better in each eye, both together and separately. That can be done with corrective lenses, contact lenses, or nothing. Mono vision is restricted and must be corrected to meet the 20/40 or better in each eye. That’s the federal rules for class A drivers.
I have 20 40 in left and blind in right can I get a cdl license and a medical card for nh
@ David B
It will depend on the class cdl you are striving for. Class A interstate is going to be more difficult due to federal requirements. Lesser class cdl’s fall under the states requirements.
I’ve had a original detachment and then a cataract surgery. Do I need anything for the dot physical in California from my eye doctor
@ Larry
Any supporting documentation is helpful to aid the CME in his decision making process.
I’m 18 I have a lazy eye my vision on my right eye is 20/40 with and without lenses. Both eyes together I have 20/40 but my left eye is 20/200 or worst. I can’t read anything I have to be very very close. Can I still be able to get a cdl ?
@ Tito
Your cdl is a state issued document and your question will be best answered by your local drivers license department (DLD).
I have moderate macular degeneration in one eye can I still be able get a dot medical card ? Thank you!
@ Steven
It will depend on the extent of the degeneration and what, if any, effect it has on your vision.
Can I get license renewed with 20\40 vision in left eye and blind in rt. eye from glaucoma
@ Gladys P
License are state issued documents, so check with your local drivers license department (DLD) for conformation.
Diagnosed with glaucoma. Eye doc says 20/20 vision. No problem with vision. Passed physical .and brought written document from eye doc stating 20/20 and no vision loss. Taking drops for pressure. Being monitored for pressure every 6 months. DOT doc says bring excuse next year please after passing physical. Good for 1 year. Walking out Doc says “you know you’re not supposed to drive with glaucoma “. Any information on glaucoma/medical card/ DOT ??
@ David
That would be true if you were not seeking treatment, but you are. So you are good for the year and you want to continue treatment to help resolve this issue.
I recently had my MEC card renewed this year but I’m getting Lasix done soon. Will I need to get another physical to reevaluate my eyes to get the corrective lenses taken off my MEC card?
@ Charles
Yes, a new medical examination and card will be required.
I had to have laser surgery and couldn’t get in before my medical card expired. If it goes beyond the 60 days do I lose my CDL permantly?
@ R E
You want to confirm with your local drivers license department. They should have a policy in place for situations like yours.
What size does the CDL medical card that I carry need to be? The size of a business card? Or are there specific dimensions? Thanks!
@ Lindsey M
A DOT officer must be able to read everything on the card with the naked eye at night with a flashlight. So DOT/FMCSA made a stupidly big piece of paper. There is a smaller version that can be laminated and folded to fit in a wallet.
is a driver with a prosthetic eye able to get approved for a DOT card. Driver is not involved in interstate commerce and does not have a CDL card.
@ Peter M C DO
It will fall to the states guidelines and variances for medical cards, not federal DOT/FMCSA. Check with the states drivers license department for guidance.
I have 20/40 vision on both eyes
But when I close my left eye
My right eye gets blurry
And becomes 20/70, that’s why I
Have been getting a Texas vision waiver
I have been driving for 23 years do I qualify
For the new rules, and would like to go
48 states
@ Manuel G
For a class A cdl, you would not qualify for your medical card without correcting this issue or getting the vision waiver.
I have had lens implants after cataract surgery and 1 lens right eye is far sighted, and left eye for near sighted. Together my vision is 20/20. How would I pass the DOT? Right eye can read every line left eye is blurry reading far away
@ Laura D
By DOT/FMCSA standards for a class A cdl, you are classed as monocular and will not pass the medical certification examination. The way out is to have corrective lenses/glasses to correct your near eye to pass the eye examination. It will be marked on your medical card as ‘must wear corrective lenses when driving’.
In your comments above, you say you can’t use contact lenses to correct monovision. Why is that? Is it because someone could accidentally swap their lenses and start bumping into walls because they see so poorly now? Is monovision legally correctable with glasses but not with contact lenses?
@ Scott S
Thanks for catching it. If auto spell check corrected the statement to real contact lenses vs corrective lenses. Which would include contact lenses. And FMCSA recommended you have both available to you while driving.
I tested 20/25 of the vision portion (with corrective lenses) I was issued a 1 year DOT medical card and I feel this is incorrect. Can I challenge this?
@ Sharon
Never heard of a one year medical card for a vision test. If you feel this is incorrect, then get a second opinion elsewhere.