List Of California Driver 39;s License Restriction Codes
Ermelindo Klatt
Drivers have been required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) in order to drive certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) since April 1, 1992. The types of vehicles and operations requiring a CDL are outlined below. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed and issued standards for State testing and licensing of CDL holders. These standards require States to issue CDLs to certain CMV drivers only after the driver passes knowledge and skills tests administered by the State and related to the type of vehicle the driver expects to operate. Drivers are required to obtain and hold a CDL if they operate in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce and drive a vehicle that meets one or more of the classifications of a CMV described below. Restrictions are placed on a CDL when a driver takes the skills test in a vehicle which lacks critical equipment present in particular types of CMVs. Examples of these restrictions are listed below. Therefore, to avoid restrictions, drivers should take the skills test in the same type of vehicle for which they are seeking a CDL to operate.
Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73.
States may have a more restrictive category for a class of license, or have additional codes for endorsements or restrictions on CDLs that are not mentioned in the Federal regulations, as long as these items are fully explained on the license document.
Rules for drivers with low vision vary widely from state to state. Some are arcane; most are complex. The information below is an abridged listing of the rules in effect in each state when we last verified. Your low-vision optometrist is often an expert in navigating the rules and restrictions placed on driving privileges in your state. For each state, we attempt to show when the rules summarized were current, visual acuity requirements, the field of vision requirements, any codified policies regarding the use of bioptic telescopes, miscellaneous notes, and, when practical, the source of the information shown.
Once the optometrist or ophthalmologist determines that the person will require bioptic telescopes for driving, that optometrist or ophthalmologist fills out a special form entitled Certificate of Vision Examination for Bioptic Driving that the person must submit to the Alabama Public Safety Department for completion of the requirements.
Each driver requires a test to determine visual acuity before issuing a license or permit. This includes original, renewal, and duplicate licenses. A tele-binocular device is used to check vision. If you usually wear corrective lenses, bring them when you apply for any license. Instead of the vision test, you may submit a certified statement from a licensed physician or optometrist stating that your vision meets or exceeds the Department's standards.
A person wearing telescopic or compound lenses whose field of vision is less than 60 percent will not be issued a Class D license unless the person can meet the requirements for visual acuity without the aid of the lenses.
The Department shall not license a person using a bioptic telescopic lens system unless the person submits to the Department a vision examination form provided by the Department and completed by a physician or an optometrist indicating that the individual meets visual acuity standards.
The DMV screens all drivers to measure vision with or without corrective lenses. You must visit a specialist if you do not meet the DMV's vision standard (20/40). The DMV representative will give you a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62) form to have completed by a vision specialist. If your vision is not worse than 20/70, the DMV may issue you a 30-day temporary DL to allow you time to check your vision. All drivers applying for a DL must have a visual acuity better than 20/200 (best corrected) in at least one eye before a DL can be issued. You are prohibited from using a bioptic telescope or similar lens to meet the 20/200 visual acuity standard in the better eye.
Vision Tests
The DMV is committed to helping you keep your driver's license for as long as you can safely drive. If you are nervous or confused about the vision test, please let the DMV employee know so they can help with any concerns.
Your eyesight will be tested using a wall chart that measures your visual acuity (how sharp your vision is). The wall chart is 20 feet from where you will be standing and contains five lines of letters to read. If you cannot read the letters on the wall chart, you will be asked to look into a vision-testing machine called the Optec 1000. You look into this machine with both eyes open and for specific objects.
If your vision specialist prescribes new eyeglasses or recommends another type of vision correction, please wait until you have completed your vision specialist's recommendations before returning to the DMV. The DMV will retest your vision; you may not pass the vision test if you aren't used to your new lenses.
If your vision specialist has prescribed a bioptic telescopic lens, you may not wear your lens to pass the vision test. A DMV employee will give you a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62) and ask you to see your vision specialist. When you return with your completed DL 62, you will be asked to take an SDPE (driving test) to determine if you can drive safely while wearing your bioptic telescopic lens. If you pass your driving test, your license will be restricted to wearing your bioptic telescopic lens when driving. If you pass the driving test during the day, you will have a daylight driving restriction. If you pass the driving test at night, you will not have a daylight-only restriction.
Suppose you have monovision (one eye corrected for distance vision and one eye treated or untreated for close-up vision), and the DMV has no record of your vision condition. In that case, the DMV employee will give you a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62) and ask you to see your vision specialist. When you return with your completed DL 62, you will be asked to take an SDPE (driving test) to determine if you can drive safely.
One of the following health conditions may cause you not to meet the DMV's minimum vision screening standard. If this happens, you will be referred to DMV's Driver Safety Branch for a hearing. Existing health conditions that may affect your vision include, but are not limited to:
Not mentioned in the regulations. Bioptic telescopes are permitted to meet visual acuity standards. The doctor must complete form 2401 Colorado Motor Vehicle Division, Motor Vehicle law 42-2-111 Driver License Services.
(a) An unlimited operator's license shall be issued or retained if the applicant or license holder meets the following visual standards: (1) A minimum visual acuity of 20/40 (Snellen) or equivalent in both eyes or the better eye with or without corrective lenses; (2) An uninterrupted binocular visual field of at least 140 in the horizontal meridian, or a monocular field of at least 100 in the horizontal meridian; and (3) No evidence of any other visual condition(s) which either alone or in combination will significantly impair driving ability.
(b) A person who has a best corrected visual acuity of worse than 20/40 but at least 20/70 in the better eye, an uninterrupted visual field of not less than 100 in the horizontal meridian, and no other visual condition(s) which alone or in combination will significantly impair driving ability, may be issued an operator's license with vehicle operation limited to daylight only or as otherwise determined by the commission by the provisions of section 14-36-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(c) The commissioner may waive the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this section if the applicant or license holder has a visual acuity of no worse than 20/70 (Snellen) or equivalent in the better eye with or without corrective lenses, has an uninterrupted binocular visual field of at least 100 degrees in the horizontal meridian, or a monocular field of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian, has no other visual condition(s) which either alone or in combination will significantly impair driving ability, and demonstrates to the commissioner that they can operate a motor vehicle safely. The person's driving history and accident record shall be considered. If not otherwise required, the commissioner may request that the person take an on-the-road driving test, and such test results shall be considered in determining whether a waiver will be granted.
(d) A person who has a 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 an operator's license containing such limitation(s) as the commissioner deems advisable after consideration of the person's vision, driving ability, driving needs and other relevant factors including the opinion of the person's physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist. The person may be required to take an on-the-road driving test, and the opinion of the medical advisory board may be requested by Sections 14-45a-10 through 14-45a-17 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to determine whether a license shall be issued and, if so, the limitation(s) that shall be imposed.
(e) No operator's license shall be issued or retained by a person who has a best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 (Snellen) 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 who has any other visual condition(s) which alone or in combination will significantly impair driving ability.
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