50-state DMV vision finder
DMV Vision Test Requirements by State (2026)
Check the commonly published eyesight benchmark, visual-field note, screening timing, and follow-up route for a noncommercial learner permit or driver license.
Quick answer
20/40 is common, but passing rules are not identical in every state
46 states in this comparison use a published benchmark beginning at 20/40. The result can still depend on whether the standard applies to one eye, both eyes together, correction, visual field, or an agency referral process.
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All 50 states
Driver license vision test requirements by state
Benchmarks summarize published noncommercial licensing-screen standards. State agencies control per-eye rules, renewal timing, medical referral, and the final licensing decision. The table was checked July 24, 2026 and is for ordinary noncommercial licenses, not CDL medical certification.
| State | Published benchmark | Visual field | When screened | If the screen is not passed | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama AL | 20/40 | 110 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Alabama source |
| Alaska AK | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Alaska source |
| Arizona AZ | 20/40 | 70 degrees temporal and 35 degrees nasal | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Arizona source |
| Arkansas AR | 20/40 | 105 degrees | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Arkansas source |
| California CA | 20/40 | State applies separate field-loss review criteria | Original and renewal licensing transactions include a vision check. | DMV may ask for a DL 62 vision report, retest the applicant, or issue an appropriate restriction after review. | Check California source |
| Colorado CO | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Colorado source |
| Connecticut CT | 20/40 | 140 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Connecticut source |
| Delaware DE | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Delaware source |
| Florida FL | 20/40 in either eye or both eyes | 130 degrees horizontally | Original applicants are screened; drivers age 80 and older must meet the renewal vision requirement. | A result at the referral level can require an eye-specialist report; corrective-lens or other restrictions may follow. | Check Florida source |
| Georgia GA | 20/60 in at least one eye | 140 degrees horizontally | First-time permit and license applicants complete a vision screening. | DDS can require Vision Report Form DS-MR-274 and may apply a corrective-lens restriction. | Check Georgia source |
| Hawaii HI | 20/40 | 70 degrees in each eye | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Hawaii source |
| Idaho ID | 20/50 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Idaho source |
| Illinois IL | 20/40 | 140 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The result may lead to corrective-lens, mirror, daylight, or specialist-review requirements. | Check Illinois source |
| Indiana IN | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Applicants complete a BMV vision screening or use the state's vision-screening documentation path. | The applicant may use State Form 56520 from an optometrist or ophthalmologist and return for BMV review. | Check Indiana source |
| Iowa IA | 20/40 | 140 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Iowa source |
| Kansas KS | 20/40 | 110 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Kansas source |
| Kentucky KY | 20/40 | 35 degrees left/right and 25 degrees above/below | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Kentucky source |
| Louisiana LA | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Louisiana source |
| Maine ME | 20/40 | 140 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Maine source |
| Maryland MD | 20/40 | 140 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Maryland source |
| Massachusetts MA | 20/40 | 120 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Massachusetts source |
| Michigan MI | 20/40 | 140 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Michigan source |
| Minnesota MN | 20/40 | 105 degrees horizontally | Applicants complete a vision screening when applying for or renewing an instruction permit or driver license. | DVS asks the applicant to see an eye doctor and return Vision Report PS30338 for Driver Evaluation Unit review. | Check Minnesota source |
| Mississippi MS | 20/40 | 140 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Mississippi source |
| Missouri MO | 20/40 | 55 degrees in each eye | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Missouri source |
| Montana MT | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Montana source |
| Nebraska NE | 20/40 | 140 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Nebraska source |
| Nevada NV | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Nevada source |
| New Hampshire NH | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check New Hampshire source |
| New Jersey NJ | 20/50 in at least one eye | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check New Jersey source |
| New Mexico NM | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check New Mexico source |
| New York NY | 20/40 in either or both eyes | 140 degrees when a field test is required | Vision proof is required for an original license and at renewal. | Use an enrolled vision provider or submit MV-619; lower acuity can be referred for Medical Review Unit evaluation. | Check New York source |
| North Carolina NC | 20/40 for an unrestricted result | State applies separate field criteria | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check North Carolina source |
| North Dakota ND | 20/40 | 105 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check North Dakota source |
| Ohio OH | 20/40 | 70 degrees in each eye | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Ohio source |
| Oklahoma OK | 20/60 | 70 degrees in each eye | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Oklahoma source |
| Oregon OR | 20/40 | 110 degrees horizontally | DMV screens original applicants and uses age- and renewal-specific screening rules. | DMV may require a vision-specialist statement, corrective lenses, or a daylight restriction based on the result. | Check Oregon source |
| Pennsylvania PA | 20/40 | 120 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Pennsylvania source |
| Rhode Island RI | 20/40 | State applies separate field criteria | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Rhode Island source |
| South Carolina SC | 20/40 | 70 degrees in each eye | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check South Carolina source |
| South Dakota SD | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check South Dakota source |
| Tennessee TN | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Tennessee source |
| Texas TX | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | DPS can request a specialist statement and may use daylight, speed, area, or corrective-lens restrictions. | Check Texas source |
| Utah UT | 20/40 | 120 degrees horizontally | Original applicants are screened; drivers age 65 and older face a five-year vision-test cycle. | A vision-specialist statement may be required when the office standard is not met, with restrictions based on findings. | Check Utah source |
| Vermont VT | 20/40 | 60 degrees in each eye | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Vermont source |
| Virginia VA | 20/40 | 100 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Virginia source |
| Washington WA | 20/40 | 110 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | A result below the office standard can require reexamination by a vision specialist and possible restrictions. | Check Washington source |
| West Virginia WV | 20/40 | No simple field figure published in the reviewed summary | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check West Virginia source |
| Wisconsin WI | 20/40 | 70 degrees in one eye | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Wisconsin source |
| Wyoming WY | 20/40 | 120 degrees horizontally | Screened during the original permit or license process; renewal timing varies by state and applicant. | The agency may retest with correction, request an eye-care professional's report, or apply a driving restriction after review. | Check Wyoming source |
No states match this filter.
Read the number correctly
What does 20/40 vision mean for a DMV test?
On a Snellen-style chart, 20/40 means you can read at 20 feet what a person with standard 20/20 acuity can read at 40 feet. It does not mean you have 50% vision, and it does not describe peripheral vision, depth perception, glare, or night vision.
States may test each eye separately, both eyes together, or both. A state can also distinguish an unrestricted benchmark from a lower threshold that requires specialist review or a restriction.
Follow-up route
What happens if you do not pass the DMV vision screening?
Not passing the office screen does not always mean a permanent denial. The licensing agency may ask you to try again with your current glasses, obtain an updated prescription, submit a state vision form completed by an eye-care professional, take a road evaluation, or accept a restriction supported by the review.
Confirm the result
Ask which part was below the standard: distance acuity, one-eye result, both-eyes result, or visual field.
Use the state form
When referred, take the exact agency form to a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist rather than submitting a generic note.
Return for review
The agency decides whether to retest, issue the license, request a driving evaluation, or add a restriction.
Possible license restrictions
- Corrective lenses required while driving
- Daylight-only driving
- Outside mirrors on one or both sides
- Speed, route, or geographic limits
- Periodic vision reports or earlier renewal review
DMV-day preparation
What to bring for the vision test
Bring the pair you actually use for distance driving, not an old or backup prescription.
Wear them as directed and carry a case or glasses in case the office asks you to remove them.
If the agency referred you or your online renewal requires proof, use the current official form.
Bring the identity, permit, renewal, and payment items required for the full transaction.
Original license vs. renewal
Do you take a vision test every time you renew?
No single national rule applies. Some states require vision proof at every renewal, some trigger screening at an older age or during an in-person renewal, and others accept a report from an enrolled provider. An online renewal option can also change whether you screen at the counter.
Use the state source in the table when your renewal notice arrives. Do not assume the rule from your first license still applies to your next renewal.
Common questions
DMV vision test FAQ
Can I wear glasses during the DMV vision test?
Yes. Use the glasses or contact lenses you normally need for distance vision. If correction is required to meet the standard, the license commonly carries a corrective-lenses restriction.
Is the DMV vision test the same in every state?
No. A 20/40 benchmark is common, but states differ in per-eye rules, visual-field checks, specialist referrals, restrictions, and renewal timing.
Can I take the DMV vision test online?
Some states accept vision results from an enrolled provider or a current professional report for eligible transactions. A household eye chart or unapproved website is not an official result.
What happens if I fail the eye test while wearing glasses?
The agency may ask for an eye-care professional’s report, a new prescription, a retest, or a driving evaluation. The final decision depends on the state’s standard and the specialist findings.
Does one weak eye automatically disqualify me?
Not necessarily. Many states have one-eye, better-eye, mirror, field-of-view, or specialist-review rules. Use the state source instead of applying a two-eye benchmark by yourself.
Is this table for commercial driver’s licenses?
No. CDL applicants face separate federal medical qualification rules. This page covers ordinary noncommercial permit and driver-license screening.
Sources and corrections
How the state comparison was prepared
The comparison uses published noncommercial licensing benchmarks and official state driver-license sources. Because a short benchmark cannot express every one-eye, disease, field-loss, bioptic, age, or renewal rule, each row links to the state agency for the final decision.
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