Vision requirements & restrictions

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 results may be submitted to DMV

electronically by a vision care provider enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry [1] (search by ZIP Code [2] for an enrolled provider), or
by a Vision Test Report (PDF) [3] (MV-619) 1 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.

Restrictions related to driver vision

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) [4] form (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.

How to remove a CORRECTIVE LENSES restriction

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

Remove the restriction online

You can remove the restriction online if your vision test provider is enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry [1].

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 [5] online.

Remove the restriction at a DMV office

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV [6]

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) [3] (MV-619) completed by a qualified eye care provider. 2

If your vision care provider is enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry [1] and has submitted your vision test results electronically to DMV, you will not need to submit proof or take a vision test.

Remove the restriction by mail

If you want to remove a CORRECTIVE LENS restriction before renewing 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 by a vision care provider enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry [1], or
by a Vision Test Report (PDF) [3] (MV-619) 3 completed by a
- physician
- physician's assistant
- ophthalmologist
- optometrist
- optician
- registered nurse
- nurse professional

To order a replacement document without the restriction, you must

complete an Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) [7] (MV-44)
pay a replacement document fee of $12.50
provide a completed Vision Test Report (PDF) [3] (MV-619) if your eye care provider is not enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry

Mail these items to your local DMV office.

1.
If the Vision Test Report (MV-619) has a print date of 9/03 or earlier, the form is valid for 6 months after the date of the eye test. If the form has a print date of 3/04 or later, the vision care professional marks a box on the form to indicate if the form is valid for 6 months or for 12 months after the date of the eye test.
2. Your Vision Care Report (MV-619) must be completed by
- a physician
- a physician's assistant
- an ophthalmologist
- an optometrist
- an optician
- a registered nurse
- a nurse professional
If the Vision Test Report (MV-619) has a print date of 9/03 or earlier, the form is valid for 6 months after the date of the eye test. If the form has a print date of 3/04 or later, the vision care professional marks a box on the form to indicate if the form is valid for 6 months or for 12 months after the date of the eye test.
3.
If the Vision Test Report (MV-619) has a print date of 9/03 or earlier, the form is valid for 6 months after the date of the eye test. If the form has a print date of 3/04 or later, the vision care professional marks a box on the form to indicate if the form is valid for 6 months or for 12 months after the date of the eye test.