Will I Receive A Driver’s License If I Don’t Meet the DMV’s Vision Screening Standard?

Article by Delta Driving School

Californians who are applying for a driver’s license or renewal will be tested to meet certain minimum vision requirements. It’s the role of the California Department of Motor Vehicles to test a driver’s eyesight in order to determine if they meet the department’s visual acuity screening standard.

Under California law, the minimum visual acuity a driver must possess is at least 20/200 in one eye, with or without correction. The screening standard however is:

20/40 or better with both eyes tested together, and

20/40 or better in one eye, and at least 20/70 in the other eye

What Happens If You Fail to Meet the DMV’s Standard?

Drivers who fail to meet the DMV’s vision screening standard will NOT have their license automatically denied. Instead, the driver is given a Report of Vision Examination form and will have to return to the DMV for further evaluation.

Outcomes may vary when a driver returns to the DMV for their reevaluation. Possible results include:

Issuance of an unrestricted, regular driving license for the full five-year term

Issuance of a restricted license

Denial of a license

Drivers who are issued a restricted license may be required to drive wearing corrective lenses or have restrictions placed on where and when they can drive. Also, the DMV may impose a license for a shorter term, such as one or two years for drivers on a restricted license.

About the Author: This article is courtesy of Delta Driving School. They are a Driving School in La Canada, Glendale, Eagle Rock and La Crescenta in Southern California.