Commercial Drivers License Vision Requirements
Catherin Bergan
When applying for a license or permit for the 1st time, you will be required to have your eyes tested. Your eyes will be tested with a mechanical device at the customer service center. The applicant must meet the following requirements, with or without corrective lenses, to pass the vision exam:
Applicants who have a vision restriction on their driver's license and elect to have surgery to correct their vision must come into a Customer Service Center and pass the vision exam to have the restriction removed from their driver's license.
Operating commercial vehicles, commercial Class C vehicles, noncommercial Class A and Class B vehicles, fire vehicles and equipment, and vehicles hauling HAM is more physically and mentally demanding than operating other types of vehicles, which creates an increased risk to public safety. Additionally, challenging driving conditions make it difficult for drivers to adequately provide for any special medical, diet, exercise, or rest needs associated with a medical condition or physical impairment.
For these reasons, CDLs are generally denied to drivers who do not meet the federal medical standards. However, in accordance with statute and court decisions, each case must be considered individually to determine if the driver compensates adequately for any medical condition or physical impairment and if any restrictions apply (see Exceptions and Review Process below).
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) establish the criteria to determine when a person is physically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle (see 391.41 FMCSR). The following guidelines are provided as they apply to various medical conditions.
CVC 12804.9 requires that DMV determine whether the applicant is mentally and physically fit to operate a motor vehicle, and permits us to consider the standards required by federal regulations in establishing California medical requirements for commercial driver licenses. It also provides that any physical defect of the applicant which, in the opinion of DMV, is compensated for to ensure safe driving ability, will not prevent the issuance of the license. CVC 12809 authorizes DMV to refuse to issue a CDL to any person not meeting the medical requirements.
The MER (MCSA 5875) must be completed and signed by a health care professional who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations to practice medicine and perform physical examinations in the United States (U.S.). Health care professionals are doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physicians assistants, and advanced practice nurses, or doctors of chiropractic who are clinically competent to perform the examination. An optometrist (O.D.) may perform the vision portion of the exam. Drivers who wish to perform interstate commerce must have their exam completed by a medical professional on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners and the certification number must be present on the form.
For 15 days after being issued a MEC (MCSA 5876), commercial drivers must have a copy of the MEC, signed by a health care professional, in their possession when operating any commercial motor vehicle. CCR 391.41(a)(2) After 15 days have passed, the driver no longer needs to carry it on their person. DMV is authorized to issue the Medical Certificate (form DL 51B), pursuant to CCR 28.19.
If the driver does not meet the medical standards or does not adequately compensate for a loss or impairment, the driver may be scheduled for a reexamination or issued an Order of Refusal. In certain instances, we may also issue the following outcomes:
DMV will conduct a drive test to determine whether the driver compensates for a condition that is waivable under federal standards (if the driver has not previously demonstrated compensation). If the driver compensates for the condition, DMV will issue a restricted license.
On original CDL applications, DMV may make rare exceptions to the medical requirements when the driver is able to demonstrate a history of adequate compensation. The commercial drive test will determine if the driver adequately compensates for any loss or impairment of a limb, vision, or hearing. If a CDL is issued, it will be restricted to driving intrastate only (within California), and without passengers or HazMat.
If the driver has been driving safely with the disqualifying medical condition, DMV may make exceptions from federal standards to allow the driver, when renewing a Class A or B license, to operate a commercial vehicle. However, the license must be restricted to driving intrastate only and without passengers or hazardous materials.
Occasionally a driver will contact DMV seeking a federal waiver or exemption. Such drivers may qualify for a federal waiver if they are employed driving in interstate commerce. The federal waiver and exemption program is designed to allow persons with specific conditions listed in FMCSR 391.41 to qualify under the FMCSR. Restrictions may be included on individual waivers when the Regional Federal Highway Administrator determines they are necessary for public safety.
A hearing officer may order a reexamination based on information such as medical reports, law enforcement or court referrals, Department of Health Services Confidential Morbidity Reports (CMR), or other contacts. California Vehicle Code (CVC) 13800
When DMV has refused, restricted, or revoked a CDL, the hearing officer must determine if the action is supported by the evidence. If the action is not supported and should be modified, the hearing officer must determine which, if any, restrictions should be imposed.
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The web pages currently in English on the DMV website are the official and accurate source for the program information and services the DMV provides. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes. If any questions arise related to the information contained in the translated website, please refer to the English version.
State and federal law requires drivers of commercial vehicles to have a commercial driver's license (CDL). This requirement applies to drivers of any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating over 26,000 pounds, buses, and vehicles that carry hazardous materials. Under federal regulations (49 CFR 391.41) a person normally must have 20/40 vision in each eye as measured by the Snellen test to obtain a CDL. A person can meet this requirement with corrective lenses, such as glasses, if his uncorrected vision does not meet this standard. The person must also have a field of vision of at least 70 degrees in each eye, (i.e. cannot suffer from tunnel vision). Finally, the person must be able to distinguish between red, green, and amber traffic signals. Federal regulations (49 CFR 391.41) also prescribe other physical qualifications for a CDL.
Under CGS 14-44f, the state Department of Motor Vehicles cannot issue a CDL to a person who has a physical or psychobehavorial impairment that affects his ability to drive safely. In making its decisions, the department must follow the standards in the federal regulations. However, if the person is only going to drive in Connecticut, the provisions of state law apply. The state standards also require a driver to have 20/40 vision, either uncorrected or with corrective lenses.
An eye test is required on all original, renewal, lapsed, and replacement licenses. Drivers aged 65 and older must pass an eye test upon license renewal. If you are required to have your eyes examined for your online renewal, please click here to schedule an appointment for your eye exam at a Driver License Office (the booking queue will say express.)
To pass the eye test, the division requires 20/40 vision and peripheral fields (side vision) of 90 degrees in at least one (1) eye. If you fail to meet this standard with or without glasses, you will be required to get a vision statement from your eye doctor.
Commercial drivers (CDL) need to have a distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity separately corrected to 20/40 or better with corrective lenses, and distant binocular acuity of at least 20/40 in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, a field of vision of at least 70 in the horizontal meridian in each eye.
Depending on your location, a DOT physical can cost anywhere from $100 to $140. For example, CVS will let you book an appointment for a DOT physical online ahead of time and tell you the expected price upfront.
The Driver Exemption Programs that govern the Federal Vision Exemption Program have recently undergone changes. Drivers looking for an exemption for monocular vision will undergo examination by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.
In addition, a road test will be required for all drivers who are physically qualified for the first time. This road test takes place after the medical exam and the medical examiner plays no part in a road test. Typically, the employer (or motor carrier) will conduct the road test and issue a certificate 49 CFR 391.31.
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