United States' Vision Regulations and Policies
Select the State from the list above to jump to appropriate section
of the glossary.
Visual Field
110 degrees horizontal 80
degrees vertical;
There are certain training requirements and written
verification is needed from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Alabama Department of Public Safety; Procedural Manual, Section 8, Issue
date: 4/16/97 Date last verified:
May 15, 2007
Visual Acuity:
minimum of 20/40 in one eye gets unrestricted
license. Same with glasses restricted to wearing glasses (contacts).
Best visual acuity of 20/40 to 20/100 in one eye (w/wo
glasses) needs report from an eye specialist. Request for license then determined
by discretion.
Less than 20/100 best corrected: no license. Color blind:
no license.
Alaska DMV: AAC 08.340 MEDICAL STANDARDS; authority: AS 28.05.011 AS28.15.081
AS 28.15.031 Date last verified: DEC.
20, 2004
Visual Acuity:
minimum of 20/40 in one eye required.
Persons with binocular vision and v.a. of 20/60 will be
restricted to daytime driving only.
Visual Field:
Field of vision must be 60 degrees, plus 35 degrees on
the opposite side of the nose in at least one eye.
Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 28-3005, 28-3314; Arizona Administrative
Code: R17-4-502, R17-4-503 Date last verified: FEB 10, 2006
Visual Acuity:
minimum uncorrected of 20/40 for unrestricted license
and minimum of 20/50 for a restricted license.
Persons with binocular vision and v.a. of 20/60 will be
restricted to daytime driving only.
Visual Field:
Field of vision must be 140 degrees for a person with
two eyes, and 105 degrees for a person with one eye.
INFORMATION
TO BE SUBMITTED TO LEGAL DEPT. FOR DECISION (as of Dec.
20, 2004)
Drvr Svcs Issuance Sec; p227; 27-16-704 Date
last verified: May 22, 2007
These are some guidelines:
Visual Acuity:
Best Corrected in one eye of at least 20/40 with or without
corrective lenses passes.
Less than 20/40 depends upon too many factors to list.
Visual Field:
140 degrees minimum if two
eyes. If monocular, needs minimum of 100 degrees (for day and night permit) temporally and 50 degrees nasally.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/driversafety/vision_cond.htm Date
last verified: JAN. 15, 2005
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye if worse
eye is 20/200 or better; 20/40 if worse eye is worse than 20/200.
Visual Field:
- A visual field of at least one hundred twenty degrees horizontally and eighty degrees vertically in the same eye.
Colorado Motor Vehicle Division, Motor Vehicle law 42-2-111,
Driver License Services Date
Last Verified: May
15, 2007
Visual Acuity:
Unrestricted license: 20/40
in the better eye, with or without corrective lenses.
Restricted license: 20/50
to 20/70
Under some circumstances
a license can be issued when the visual acuity is 20/200.
Visual Field:
Field of vision must be 140 degrees for a person with
two eyes, and 100 degrees for a person with one eye.
An operator's license shall not be issued to an operator
who uses spectacle mounted telescopic aids.
Health Standards for licensing decisions for operators of motor vehicles,
section 14-45a-1 Date last verified: May
21, 2007
Visual Acuity:
Unrestricted license: 20/40
in the better eye, with or without corrective lenses.
Restricted license: 20/50; beyond
20/50 driving privileges are denied
Visual Field:
No
requirements.
Dept. of Public Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, Manager of Driver Safety. Date
last verified:
JANUARY 4, 2005
Visual Acuity:
Must have 20/70 in either eye
with or without corrective lenses.
Monocular persons need 20/40
in the fellow eye.
Visual Field:
140 degrees minimum.
Rules and Regulations, Chapter 15-A-5 Date
last verified: JANUARY 4, 2005
Visual Acuity:
Must have 20/60 in either eye
with or without corrective lenses.
Visual Field:
140 degrees minimum if two
eyes. If monocular, needs minimum of 100 degrees (for day and night permit) temporally and 50 degrees nasally.
Rules and Regulations 40-5-27 Date
last verified: May 15, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better
eye, with or without corrective lenses.
No provision for
less than 20/40.
Visual Field:
Field of vision must be 140 degrees for a person with
two eyes, and 100 degrees (for day and night permit) for a
person with one eye.
"Peggy", Dept. of Motor Vehicle Safety, s19-122-8 Date
last verified: FEB. 7, 2005
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses: no restrictions
20/50-20/60: Annual Testing
20/70: Denied
Visual Field:
Nothing specified.
Nadine, Idaho DMV Date
last verified: DEC. 14, 2004
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye: restricted license
(daylight only).
Visual Field:
Field of vision must be 140 degrees for
a person with two eyes. For monocular, 100 degrees (for day and night permit) temporally & 35 degrees nasally.
Drivers Services Department Date
last verified: FEB. 7, 2005
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses.
20/50 in the better eye: restricted license
daytime only
20/70 in each eye with best correction:
daytime only (must have 120 degree horizontal field)
Visual Acuity must reach 20/40 with telescope (4X or less);
Visual field no less than 120 degrees horizontal;
Color vision adequate for traffic lights;
Stable
eye condition; good mental attitude.
Evaluation
by driver educator/ approval of DMV medical review board/ 30 hours of driver training
/ pass road test
Indiana Drivers Vision Requirements & D. McConnaha, OD, Indiana University
Low Vision Service
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses.
20/50 in the better eye: restricted license
(daylight only).
20/70 in the better eye: restricted license
(daylight only, up to 35 mph).
Visual Field:
140 degrees: no restriction
between 115 and 140 degrees: certain restrictions.
Iowa Drivers Manual, Administrative Rule 600.4 Date
last verified: MARCH 14, 2005
Visual Acuity:
20/20 - 20/50 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/50 - 20/100 drive test a must.
20/100 - 20/400 must be approved by Driver Review
20/400 or worse: Must be approved by MAB
or Director
Visual Field:
Less than 110 degress requires test drive.
Monocular driver: less than 55 degrees
requires test drive.
Kansas Administrative Regulations 92-52-12 & Date
last verified: July, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/200 OR BETTER, WITH CORRECTIVE LENSES
IN THE BETTER EYE to be accepted in a certified driver training program.
Visual Field:
120 DEGREES HORIZONTALLY AND 80 DEGREES
VERTICALLY IN THE SAME EYE.
MANY RESTRICTIONS APPLY AND SPECIAL DRIVER TRAINING IS REQUIRED.
Restrictions may be removed if the licensed driver drives for 36 months without any at-fault
accidents and without any license suspensions; and successfully completes additional
evaluation and training specifically designed for night driving from a certified driver
training program; and passes a comprehensive night driving examination.
THE PROGRAM WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR
THE BLIND
Kentucky Department for the Blind; SueG.Simon@mail.state.ky.us Date
last verified: May 31, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
ACT No. 881 HB 1550, Regular Session, 2004 SIGNED INTO LAW IN 2004. Date
last verified: February 20, 2006
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye with restrictions: Each
eye must be 20/70.
If one eye worse than 20/70, other eye must be at least 20/60
for daylight restricted license, with 25 mile radius.
If one eye worse than 20/70, other eye must be at least 20/50
for daylight restricted license.
If one eye worse than 20/70, other eye must be at least 20/40
for unrestricted license.
Visual Field:
Binocular field of vision
140 degrees.
Binocular field of vision between 110 and
140 degrees with restrictions.
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles Date
last verified: May 21, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in BOTH with or without corrective
lenses.
Up to 20/70 in one eye with minimum 110
degree fields: restricted license.
20/100 in the better eye with minimum
150 degree fields and 20/70 through telescope: restricted license.
tr, 16-110.1 Date
last verified: MARCH 25, 2005
Visual Acuity:
unrestricted: 20/40 in
the better eye, with or without corrective lenses + 120 degree field + distinguish
red/green/amber colors.
restricted: 20/70 in the better
eye, with or without corrective lenses + 120 degree field + distinguish red/green/amber
colors.
Date
last verified: May 22, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye with restrictions
(daylight only)
20/60 if progressive abnormalities or
diseases of the eye.
Visual Field:
Binocular field of vision
140 degrees.
Binocular field of vision between 90 and
140 degrees with restrictions.
Certification in driver instruction is required.
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles Date
last verified: Nov. 28, 2005
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye with restrictions
on speed limit.
When VA is 20/80 or up to, but not including
20/100, applicant referred to driver evaluation unit.
20/100 in the better eye- applicant is
denied a license
Visual Field:
Horizontal field
of vision 105 degrees.
Horizontal field of vision of less than
105 degrees: possible with restrictions.
Driver and Vehicle Services Division, 7410.2400 Date
last verified: May 1, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/200 Best Corrected without telescope
20/70 With Telescope
Visual Field at least 150 degrees
There are certain restrictions on the power of the telescope,
how fitted, and who prescribes them.
There are certain training requirements, and a letter from
an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, Driver Services Bureau, 4/10/00 Date
last verified: May 15, 2007
Visual Acuity: (has rather complicated
rules)
unrestricted: 20/40 in the better eye,
with or without corrective lenses.
restricted: up to 20/160 in the better
eye.
Visual Field:
55 degrees or better in
both eyes..
85 degrees in one eye: restrictions apply.
Drivers License Bureau, vision guidelines Date last verified: May
15, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye with restrictions
on daylight and speed.
20/100 in the better eye: possible restricted
license if need is shown.
Visual Field:
No information provided.
Montana Motor Vehicle Division, 23.3.119 Date
last verified: Feb. 22, 2005
Visual Acuity:
Nebraska has 17 types of restrictions on driver's
licenses depending upon the vision in each eye.
Generally, 20/40 in the better eye is required.
Visual Field:
Less than 100 degrees is denied. Over 140 degrees,
no restriction.
Chapter 60, Motor Vehicles Date Last Verified: July, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses.
Visual Field:
Binocular field of vision
140 degrees.
Binocular field of vision between 110 and
140 degrees with restrictions.
483.405 Driver's License Division, Las Vegas, Nevada
Date last verified: AUG, 2005
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
Part C, Department of Safety
Visual Acuity:
20/50 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
A visual field of at least one hundred twenty degrees horizontally and eighty degrees vertically in the same eye.
Licensing Service, 13:21-8.10 e
Visual Acuity:
20/40
in the better eye, with or without corrective lenses.
20/80 in the
better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
120 degrees in the horizontal
meridian, with at least 30 degrees in the nasal field of one eye.
Taxation and Revenue Department, Driver Services. Date last verified:
May 15, 2007
Visual Acuity:
minimum best corrected 20/40 in one eye with or without
glasses;
20/40 to 20/70 best corrected in one eye requires minimum
of 140degree horizontal visual field.
NYS DMV rules/regulations.
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
60 degrees in
one eye
(30 degrees on each side).
Binocular field of vision between
110 and 140 degrees with restrictions.
p14-17, Driver Medical Evaluation Date last verified: May 22, 2007
North Dakota has many different types of restrictions depending upon the visual acuity
in each eye. Generally, however, the following is true:
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
One eye must be 20/60 or better
to get a restricted license
20/70 in the better eye with restrictions
on speed limit.
Worse eye must be 20/100 or better
Visual
Field:
Binocular field
of vision 105 degrees.
Binocular field of vision between
110 and 140 degrees with restrictions.
Article 37-88, Chapter 37-88-01 Date last verified: May 1, 2007
Visual Acuity:
Unrestricted license:20/40 or better in at least one eye, better than 20/200
in each eye individually
Daytime only:
20/70 or better in at least one eye, better than 20/200 in each eye individually.
If less than 20/200 in one eye:
20/30 or better in fellow eye for unrestricted
20/60 or better in fellow eye for restricted.
Visual Field:
A
visual field of at least one hundred twenty degrees horizontally and eighty degrees
vertically in the same eye.
Driver License Special Case Section, 4501:1-1-33 Date last verified: March
21, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/100 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
100
degrees (for day and night permit) in the horizontal meridian of each eye.
4.3.12 Driver License Examiner
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
Limited Vision Condition: means
visual acuity in the better eye with best lens correction that is no better
than 20/80 and no worse than 20/200.
A person with a limited vision condition may obtain a drivers
license if they meet the following:
a) no ocular diagnosis that may result in deterioration of the person's corrected vision
below a 20/200 level.
b) visual field of at least 120 degrees horizontally and 80 degrees vertically.
e) provides a certificate of completion of a rehabilitation training program
f) has the following
restrictions: daylight driving only; not greater than 45 mph;
Visual
Field:
110
degrees in the horizontal meridian except as above for limited vision condition.
735-062-0045, driver safety case management
Enrolled Senate Bill 289 (sb 289-A) Date
Last Verified: DEC. 2, 2004
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
up to 20/100 combined vision with
restrictions
Visual Field:
- 120 degrees in the horizontal meridian.
Section 83.3, Bureau of Driver Licensing
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
No provisions for less than 20/40
in the better eye.
Visual Field:
- Minimum of 115 degrees
in the horizontal meridian. For monocular drivers, 40 degrees nasally & 75
degrees temporally.
Questions on vision reduction must go before
the Medical Advisory Board for a decision on licensing.
Operator Control,/Medical Review. Date
last verified: May 21, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye if worse
eye is 20/200 or better; 20/40 if worse eye is worse than 20/200.
Visual Field:
- A visual field of at least one hundred twenty degrees horizontally and eighty degrees vertically in the same eye.
735-062-0045, driver safety case management Date last verified:
May 22, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/60 in the better eye with restrictions
20/70 or less must have a left
outside mirror
Visual Field:
A visual field of at least one hundred twenty degrees horizontally and eighty degrees vertically
in the same eye.
Medical Standards for Drivers' Licenses, 61:06:01:11 Date
last verified: May 1, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/60 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
150 degrees
in the horizontal meridian.
Department of Safety, Chapter 1340-1-2; No. 8 Low Vision Guidelines; August
1990. Date last verified: March 21, 2007
Visual
Acuity:
20/50 in the better eye, with or without
corrective lenses.
Restrictions
begin with vision worse than 20/50, may require comprehensive road test.
Visual
Field:
A visual field of at least 70
degrees each eye.
Texas DPS I&P, 85.07 10-12-92 Date
last verified: January 31, 2006
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/100 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
120 degrees horizontal and 20 degrees vertical.
Utah Driver License Division. Date
last verified: May 15, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
Visual Field:
60
degrees external, each eye. Monocular: 60 degrees external and 60 degrees
nasal.
APA regulations, Section 8
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/200 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
- 100 degrees (for day and night permit) or better.
May be restricted to daylight only but can
be lifted after one year
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, DL565 (7/89) Date last verified: May
31, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
- 110 degrees in the horizontal
meridian.
7.3 Vision Testing (R/10/97)
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/70 in the better eye requires
140 degree visual field for restricted license.
A license can be issued upon the favorable recommendation of and optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Visual Field:
- Minimum of 130 degrees in the
horizontal meridian. (Between 110 & 130 degrees, with ok Visual
Acuity may be approved.)
Regulation No. 72-2, June 24, 1975. 33 DCP 6708.
Visual Acuity:
20/60 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
With less than 20/60 in the better
eye, must have optometrist or ophthalmologist declare ability to be safe.
Visual Field:
- A visual field of at least one hundred twenty degrees horizontally and eighty degrees vertically in the same eye.
91 L5R5; 3.4.b Division of Motor Vehicles, Driver Services. Date
last verified: May 31, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/100 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
70
degrees minimum.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Section 8. Date last verified:
May 1, 2007
Visual Acuity:
20/40 in the better eye, with or
without corrective lenses.
20/100 in the better eye with restrictions
Visual Field:
120
degrees in the horizontal meridian.
Section 8, Department of Transportation Date
last verified: March 21, 2007
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