Most U.S. states require a visual acuity of at least 20/40 in both eyes (with or without glasses or contacts) to get an unrestricted driver’s license. That means you need to read the 20/40 line on a standard eye chart from 20 feet away. If your vision falls below that threshold, you may still qualify for a license with certain restrictions, depending on your state.
Standard Acuity for a Regular License
The 20/40 standard is the most common benchmark across states, but it’s not universal. Some states test each eye individually, while others measure your combined (binocular) vision. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you can use them during the screening. Your license will then carry a “corrective lenses” restriction, meaning you must wear them every time you drive.
If your best corrected vision is worse than 20/40 but still meets a secondary threshold, many states will issue a restricted license rather than deny you outright. In Maryland, for example, you can qualify with acuity as low as 20/70 in one or both eyes, but your license will come with restrictions. The absolute cutoff in Maryland is 20/100: if neither eye can reach that level, you won’t qualify for any class of license.
Peripheral Vision Requirements
Acuity isn’t the only thing that matters. You also need adequate peripheral (side) vision to detect vehicles, pedestrians, and hazards outside your direct line of sight. The federal standard for commercial drivers requires a field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal plane in each eye. Many states apply a similar or identical threshold to regular licenses.
Maryland requires a continuous field of vision of at least 110 degrees total, with at least 35 degrees to each side of center, for a restricted license. If your continuous field drops below 70 degrees, you cannot qualify for any Maryland license. Other states set their own numbers, but the general principle is the same: you need enough side vision to safely monitor the road around you.
Daytime-Only and Other Restrictions
If your vision is borderline, your state may issue a license that limits when or how you can drive rather than disqualifying you entirely. Ohio’s rules illustrate how this works in practice. Drivers with binocular vision between 20/40 and 20/70 are restricted to daytime driving only. For drivers with vision in only one eye (monocular vision), the daytime-only restriction kicks in at a tighter range: between 20/30 and 20/60.
Other common restrictions include limits on highway driving, a maximum speed, or a requirement to use outside mirrors on both sides. The specific restrictions you receive depend on your state’s rules and the results of your screening or eye doctor evaluation.
Driving With Vision in One Eye
Having functional vision in only one eye does not automatically disqualify you from driving, but the process is different. You’ll typically need an evaluation from an eye specialist rather than passing a standard DMV screening. Maryland, for instance, requires monocular drivers to have an eye doctor complete a specific vision form before visiting the DMV, since the standard in-office screening isn’t designed for single-eye vision.
The main challenge with monocular vision is reduced depth perception and a narrower total field of view. States compensate by applying tighter acuity thresholds and sometimes adding restrictions like outside mirrors or daytime-only driving.
Commercial Driver Vision Standards
The bar is higher if you want to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) like a tractor-trailer or bus. Federal regulations under the Department of Transportation require commercial drivers to have distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye individually, plus 20/40 binocular acuity, with or without correction. You also need at least 70 degrees of horizontal field of vision in each eye and the ability to distinguish the standard red, green, and amber of traffic signals.
A key difference from regular licenses: the federal standard tests each eye separately. If your worse eye can’t meet 20/40 even with correction, or can’t reach the 70-degree field requirement, you don’t automatically lose your CDL. There is a federal exemption process that evaluates your driving history and overall visual function to determine whether you can still safely operate a commercial vehicle.
Bioptic Lenses and Low Vision
Bioptic telescopes are small mounted lenses attached to regular glasses that let you briefly magnify distant objects like road signs. Some states allow drivers to use them to meet acuity requirements, while others prohibit them entirely. Alabama, for example, does not permit bioptic telescopes and sets its low-vision cutoff at 20/60 in the better eye. States that do allow bioptics typically require a training period and may impose restrictions such as no nighttime or highway driving.
If your vision is in the borderline range and you’re considering bioptic lenses, check your specific state’s policy before investing in the equipment. Rules vary widely, and a lens system that qualifies you in one state may not be accepted in the next.
How Vision Screening Works at the DMV
In most states, you’ll look into a small machine (an optometric screener) that displays letters or symbols at a simulated distance. The screener tests your central acuity and sometimes your peripheral field. If you fail the screening, you’re generally not rejected on the spot. Instead, you’ll be asked to visit an eye care provider who can perform a full exam and complete a vision certification form for the DMV.
When your license comes up for renewal, most states re-screen your vision. A few states increase the frequency of renewal or require in-person vision checks for older drivers, though the specific ages and intervals vary. If your vision has declined since your last renewal, the DMV may add new restrictions to your license or ask for a specialist evaluation before reissuing it.