Driver’s license expires every 5 years on date of birth. Eye test required on renewal. A driver’s license is eligible for renewal by mail.

From Summary of Medical Advisory Board Practices-2003. Changes in state requirements may have changed since then. To confirm information found here, we recommend that you contact your state’s licensing agency. Helpful information about driving with low vision: (Audio/Visual Presentation) Select your state for information: Alabama Drivers’ visual capabilities are assessed upon original licensure, and then again only if they are referred to the Department for reexamination.

Renewal drivers do not undergo vision screening. Visual standards for licensing are 20/40 acuity with both eyes and a horizontal temporal field of at least 110 degrees from the center. Original applicants and reexamination drivers who have uncorrected visual acuity of less than 20/40 in each eye, but at least 20/50 in one eye and/or a visual field of less than 100 degrees are referred to a vision specialist for examination and an advisory recommendation. The person will also complete a driving evaluation, and may be restricted to driving with outside mirrors or driving during daylight hours. Drivers who do not have a visual acuity of at least 20/60 or better in at least one eye, as assessed by a vision specialist will not be licensed to drive. Alaska Drivers undergo vision screening each time they renew their license in-person. The renewal cycle is 5 years, and drivers whose license is in good standing may renew by mail every other cycle until they reach age 69.

An applicant must meet the following visual standards: • A person with vision of 20/40 or greater in each eye or both eyes together will receive a license without restrictions in regard to corrective lenses, unless medical or other problems affecting vision exist. • A person with vision of 20/40 or greater in each eye or both eyes together only with use of corrective lenses will be restricted to driving with corrective lenses. • A person with the best possible corrections in both eyes together of less than 20/40 but greater than 20/100 will be required to be examined by an optometrist or other eye specialist; if the report states that the person’s vision cannot be improved, all data will be reviewed by the Department; after review, the Department will, in its discretion, issue a license with restrictions which may include driving limitations as to time of day, type of vehicle, specific area, speed, and other limitations considered necessary by the Department. • A person whose best possible corrections in both eyes together of less than 20/100 will not be licensed.

• A person with vision in only one eye will be licensed if vision in the good eye meets the standards of the department; the department, will, in its discretion, impose restrictions requiring outside rearview mirrors, one mounted on each side of the vehicle, on persons with vision in only one eye. • A person with color blindness will not be denied a license for that reason. • A person wearing telescopic or compound lenses whose field of vision is less than 60 percent will not be licensed unless he or she is able to meet the requirements for visual acuity without the aid of the lenses; if field of vision is between 60 percent, and 90 percent, outside rearview mirrors will, in the Department’s discretion, be required. Arizona Arizona issues a lifetime license up to age 65, but applicants must come into a license office every 12 years to apply for a duplicate license, and have their vision rechecked. At age 65, applicants must reapply every 5 years.

One way that individuals with vision problems would be brought to the Agency’s attention would be a failure on the vision test. Conventionally corrected visual acuity must be 20/40 in at least one eye. The field of vision must be 70 degrees, plus 35 degrees on the opposite side of the nose, in at least one eye. Applicants who fail the Department-administered vision test must have a vision specialist complete a Vision Examination Report, and return it to the Department.

The report must be based on an examination that is not older than three months from the date of submission to the Department. It must include: • visual acuity and field of vision results; • whether the person is monocular; • whether the person has retinitis pigmentosa, diplopia, or impaired night vision; • diagnosis of any progressively deteriorating eye disease; • recommendations on frequency of reporting requirements; • suggested restrictions on driving; • any recommendations on the person’s functional ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Persons with conventionally corrected vision must wear corrective lenses at all times when driving. Persons diagnosed with impaired night vision are restricted to daytime driving only. Persons with binocular vision and with corrected visual acuity of 20/50 or 20/60 in both eyes together, are restricted to daytime driving only. Arkansas The Office of Driver Services performs a vision screening test for acuity and visual fields on all drivers renewing their licenses.

A person must have a minimum uncorrected (no glasses or contacts) visual acuity of 20/40 to qualify for an unrestricted driver’s license. A person must have a minimum corrected (with glasses or contacts) visual acuity of 20/50 to qualify for a restricted license (drive with corrective lenses). Drivers with visual acuity of 20/60 are restricted to daytime driving only. A person with two functional eyes must have a field vision of 140 degrees. A person with one functional eye must have a field vision of 105 degrees. Applicants who fail the vision test must go to an ophthalmologist or optometrist for visual correction, and bring a form back to the Office of Driver Services from their vision care specialist stating that their vision has been corrected.

California Drivers must also pass a vision test and a written knowledge test upon license renewal if they appear in person to renew. Drivers age 70 and older may not renew by mail, so they must appear in person to renew their licenses every 5 years. The knowledge test is useful for determining the driver’s mental competency, and cognitive and language skills. It can indicate when a person with dementia has deteriorating reading and comprehension skills as well as impaired cognitive and perceptual skills that may impact his or her ability to drive safely. The Department’s visual acuity screening standard is 20/40 or better with both eyes together, and no worse than 20/70 in the poorer eye.

Drivers who fail the vision screening are referred to a vision specialist who must examine the driver and complete a Report of Vision Examination. Drivers with visual acuity of 20/200 or worse may not be licensed to drive. Drivers may use bioptic telescopes for driving, but may not use them to meet the vision standard. Following review of the Report of Vision Examination, the driver may be scheduled for a Drive Test or Special Drive Test to determine whether the vision condition impairs the ability to drive or whether the driver can adequately compensate for the vision condition.

The Guidelines document provides matrices for visual conditions, definitions, range of severity, whether a driving test or special driving test should be administered for a particular acuity level, and what kinds of restriction (including ould be placed on the license. Restrictions could include corrective lenses, sunrise to sunset driving only, no freeway, area restriction, additional mirrors (right side, wide angle, panoramic, right- or left-fender-mounted mirrors). Mirrorop Activation Key there. An immediate revocation may be imposed after an examiner gives a driving test or special driving test to a low-vision driver who has performed dangerously poor and the condition renders the person unsafe to drive. Colorado All original and renewing applicants must take and pass a vision test. To pass the acuity test, applicants must have at least 20/40 vision in either or both eyes. Drivers are also screened for phoria (double vision), unless they have vision in only one eye. Applicants using bioptic telescopic lenses must attempt to pass the acuity test using only the carrier lens (and not the telescope).

Drivers who fail the acuity or the phoria test must have a Confidential Medical/Eye Exam Report (DR 2401) completed by their vision specialist. The vision specialist is required to complete all sections pertaining to vision, indicate whether authorizing a driving privilege would be medically prudent, and recommend licensing restrictions that should apply. The eye specialist may check off any of the following restrictions, or enter a restriction not on the list: daylight driving only; not more than ___ mph; area radius ___ miles from home; right sideview mirror, or left sideview mirror. Bioptic lens users must also pass a drive test using the telescopic lens apparatus.

Connecticut New license applicants must take a vision test, and meet the minimum standards of: 20/40 visual acuity in both eyes or the better eye with or without corrective lenses, and an uninterrupted binocular visual field of at least 140 degrees in the horizontal meridian, or a monocular field of at least 100 degrees in the horizontal meridian, and no evidence of any other visual condition(s) which either alone or in combination would significantly impair driving ability. Drivers who fail to meet the minimum standards are required to file an Eye Care Professional’s Medical Report, reflecting the results of the doctor’s personal examination within 90 days of the report being filed with the department. A person who has a best corrected visual acuity of worse that 20/40 but at least 20/70, an uninterrupted visual field of not less than 100 degrees in the horizontal meridian, and no other visual conditions that could significantly impair driving ability may be issued a license restricted to daylight only or as otherwise determined by the Commissioner.

A person who has best corrected visual acuity better than 20/200 in the better eye, and has an uninterrupted visual field of at least 100 degrees in the horizontal meridian may be issued a license as the Commissioner deems advisable after consideration of factors including driving ability, driving needs, and the recommendations of the person’s ophthalmologist or optometrist. The person may be required to take a road test, and the opinion of the MAB may be requested to determine whether a license should be issued and what restrictions should be imposed. If a driver has a visually related health problem that may affect safe driving ability, he or she will be required to submit a Vision Report for evaluation by the Commissioner. No license will be issued to a person who has best correct visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better eye, or has an uninterrupted binocular visual field of less than 100 degrees in the horizontal meridian or an uninterrupted monocular visual field of less than 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian, or has any other visual condition(s) which alone or in combination will significantly impair driving ability.

Connecticut does not issue licenses to drivers who use spectacle mounted telescopic aids. A law becomes effective July 1, 2003, which requires the Department to phase in a vision screening program and requires renewal applicants to pass a vision screening every other renewal at either a DMV office or with their eyecare professional and submit a medical report to this effect when they renew. However, because of stringent budgetary issues, it is anticipated no funds may be made available to administer this law. No definitive knowledge of either repeal of this law or extension of the effective date will be available until later on in the legislative session, which ends in June. Delaware All original and renewal applicants must pass a vision screening test before a license is issued. Applicants with visual acuity of 20/40 or better in one eye will be issued an unrestricted license. Applicants with 20/50 vision are restricted to daylight only driving.

If corrective lenses are required to obtain the vision standards, a restriction for corrective lenses will be added to the license. Applicants who cannot meet the vision standards must have their optometrist or ophthalmologist complete a Report of Visual Status Form (MV-322). In addition to the visual acuity measures and whether they were obtained with correction, the eyecare specialist is asked to describe any field deficits, recommend restrictions, recommend vision retesting intervals, describe evidence of eye disease or defects of structure that would affect visual performance now or in the future, and to list any circumstances that may assist in the final disposition of the case. First-time applicants are not issued a license until they either pass a vision screening or submit an acceptable vision test from their doctor; renewal applicants who fail the vision screening test are issued a 60-day temporary license if their license is about to expire, to provide time for the eye exam by an eye care specialist. If the applicant cannot meet the standards when tested by the eyecare specialist, the license is denied, and he or she may appeal the decision to the MAB. The MAB’s recommendations are used by the Medical Review Section to determine the applicant’s license status. The decision made by the Medical Review Section can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas.

Those who must wear bioptic lenses to drive must: be recommended by an optometrist or ophthalmologist; attend specialized rehabilitation training classes; and pass a written and road test administered by the Division. The Medical Review Section will forward the case to the MAB for its recommendation. The Medical Review Section will make the final licensing decision based upon the MAB’s recommendation. Those who operate motor vehicles with bioptic lenses must complete a road skill test upon initial issue, when renewing their license or when transferring their driver license from another state. District of Columbia Original and renewal applicants must also take and pass a vision test before being (re)licensed. The minimum visual acuity requirements are 20/40 in at least one eye and no less than 20/70 in the other eye, with or without correction.

The field of vision must be at least 130 degrees in the horizontal meridian. Applicants who cannot meet the minimum standards and applicants with only one functioning eye must take an Eye Report form to their ophthalmologist or optometrist for completion and return to the Medical Unit. Applicants with visual acuity of less than 20/40 but not less than 20/70 in the best or only eye and a field of vision of at least 140 degrees in the horizontal meridian may be issued a license upon favorable recommendation from their eyecare specialist, which will be restricted to daytime driving and the use of a left sideview mirror. Applicants being treated for glaucoma or cataracts may be issued a license if they meet the visual standards, and must submit an Eye Report annually, unless the eyecare specialist indicates more or less frequent reports should be submitted. Less frequent reports may be submitted, following three consecutive annual reports which indicate that no appreciable deterioration has occurred. Florida Customers with vision problems are identified by License Examiners at the time of initial application or renewal, as all first-time applicants and renewals must undergo vision screening. Applicants may renew by mail on every other renewal if they have a clean driving record.

A new law passed in 2003 provides for mandatory vision screening for drivers age 80 and older who are renewing their licenses. Applicants who have 20/50 vision or worse in either eye with or without corrective lenses are referred to a licensed practitioner for possible improvement. They are given a Report of Eye Exam to have completed by the eyecare specialist.

Applicants who have 20/70 vision in either eye, may pass with or without corrective lenses if vision cannot be improved; however, if one eye is blind, or 20/200 or worse, the other eye must be 20/40 or better. Applicants who have 20/80 vision or worse, with both eyes, are not licensed. Applicants may not use telescopic lenses to meet the visual standards. The minimum acceptable field of vision is 130 degrees. If an applicant fails an initial vision screening, a temporary 60-day permit is issued, provided the customer does not have a revocation reading. The customer may continue in the licensing process by taking the written test that day, but will not have the license renewned until he or she returns and passes the vision screening. On a subsequent visit if vision is failed, a suspension order for “Failure to Pass Required Examination or Reexamination” is placed on the driving record.

The driver may continue with written testing, but the license isn’t renewed until the customer returns and passes vision screening. If the vision screening results in a revocation reading, a revocation order for “Inadequate Vision is placed on the driving record. The driver may continue with written testing, but the license isn’t renewed until the customer returns and passes vision screening.

Hawaii Drivers undergo vision screening each time they come into a licensing center for renewal. The test may be waived with the presentation of a vision report from an ophthalmologist or optometrist within the past 6-month period.

If applicants do not meet the acuity standard of 20/40 in at least one eye, and visual field of 140 degrees horizontally, they must have a vision statement completed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Georgia First-time applicants and drivers renewing their licenses in person at every other renewal period are also required to have their vision screened. Individuals must have visual acuity (Snellen) of at least 20/60, corrected or uncorrected, in at least one eye, and a horizontal field of vision of at least 140 degrees binocularly, or in the event that only one eye has usable vision, horizontal field of vision must be at least 70 degrees temporally and 50 degrees nasally.

Missouri requires both a 25-question written test and a separate road signs test to receive your permit or license. The written knowledge exam will be multiple-choice and based on the 2018 Missouri Driver’s Guide, featuring questions regarding road situations, traffic fines, road signage, driving under the influence, and license restrictions. To pass the knowledge test, you’ll need to correctly answer at least 20 of the 25 questions. If you’re applying for your permit, you must be at least 15 years old, pass the written and road signs tests, as well as a basic vision test, pay the $3.50 permit fee, provide various proofs of identity and residency, as well as have a parent or guardian present to provide consent. If you are 16 or older, you may apply for your intermediate license once you have held your permit for six months, pass the driving exam, and pay the $7.50 license fee. If you’re 18 or older, you may opt to take all your tests -- written, road signs, vision, and driving -- in one go and pay a $10-20 license fee. This DOR practice test will focus on just chapter 3 of the driver’s guide: Pavement Markings, Traffic Signs, and Signals.

It is extremely useful, as it will prepare you for both the general written and specific road signs tests.