You must pass a vision test when you apply for a driver license or to renew your license. The test must show that you have visual acuity of at least 20/40 (based on the Snellen Visual Acuity Scale) in either or both eyes, with or without corrective lenses. 

You may take a vision test at a DMV office or your vision test provider may submit your results to the DMV

• electronically by a vision care provider enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry (search by ZIP Code for an enrolled provider), or
• by a Vision Test Report (PDF) (MV-619) completed by a
  • physician
  • physician's assistant
  • ophthalmologist
  • optometrist
  • optician
  • registered nurse
  • nurse professional

If you are mailing or submitting a Vision Test Report to DMV it must be completed in English. 

The Law

The Vehicle and Traffic Law provides that an applicant for an original driver license must pass a vision test. The law also provides that the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles requires each person renewing a license to submit to a vision examination.

A driver license renewal is valid for eight years and a customer can renew up to one year before they expire. A customer can also renew their license up to two years after the expiration date before they need to reapply and retake a permit test and road test. Early or late renewal does not affect the expiration date of the document or the fees. If customers wish to upgrade their picture, they can visit a DMV office to have the document amended. If they are satisfied with the current picture, it will remain on their next license document.

Vision Results Expiration

Vision results expire twelve months from the date of the test. An optometrist or ophthalmologist may determine that a test is valid for only six months from the date of the test but all tests that the remaining providers and their staff conduct are valid for twelve months.

If your eye exam indicates you must wear corrective lenses to pass the vision test, a "B" restriction will be placed on your driver license or learner permit.

There are also restrictions for drivers with low vision.

• Telescopic lenses - Telescopic lenses are corrective lenses that are much more powerful than normal eyeglasses or contact lenses. If you need telescopic lens to pass a vision test, you must send a completed Eye Test Report for Medical Review Unit (PDF) (MV-80L) to DMV's Medical Review Unit (MRU). A "TELESCOPIC LENSES" restriction will be placed on your driver license or learner permit. If you no longer need telescopic lenses, you can submit a new form MV-80L to remove the restriction.
• Daylight driving only - If an eye care professional indicates that your vision at night is impaired, a "DAYLIGHT DRIVING ONLY" restriction will be added to your driver license or learner permit.

You must prove that you can pass a vision test without corrective lenses.

Online

You can remove the restriction online if your vision test provider is enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry.

Once an enrolled provider electronically notifies us that you can pass a vision test without corrective lenses, the restriction will be removed when you renew your license online. 

At a DMV office

When you renew or replace your DMV document at an office, you can take a vision test there or prove that you have met our vision requirements by providing a Vision Test Report (PDF) (MV-619) completed by a qualified eye care provider.

If your vision care provider is enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry and has submitted your vision test results electronically to DMV, you will not need to submit proof or take a vision test. 

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV

By Mail

If you want to remove a CORRECTIVE LENS restriction before it is time to renew your driver license, you must obtain proof that you do not need corrective lenses and order a replacement document. Proof can be submitted to DMV electronically or by a Vision Test Report (PDF) (MV-619).

To order a replacement document without restriction, you must

• complete an Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (MV-44)
• pay a replacement document fee of $12.50
• provide a completed Vision Test Report (PDF) (MV-619) if your eye care provider is not enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry

Mail these items to your local DMV office.