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General Information
Effective January 1, 2004, all drivers who are 80 years
of age or older and who are in the process of renewing their
driver license are required to pass a vision test. This
test may be administered at a driver license office at no
cost to you.
The test may be administered at the driver license office at no additional
charge or your licensed health care practitioner, such as
your medical
doctor, osteopath or optometrist.
A vision examination report must be completed and submitted
to the department if your vision test is administered by
your doctor. For your convenience, you can ask your health
care practitioner to file the form electronically on the
web (http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/Vision/).
Subsequent to it being filed electronically, you will then
be able to renew via the Internet, telephone, or mail.
Should you elect to have your vision tested at the local driver license office,
please schedule an appointment so that we can serve you
more efficiently. Upon passing the vision screening, you
can complete the renewal process. However, if a problem
is detected, you will be referred to your eye doctor for
follow-up prior to being able to renew.
If you have any questions, you may call Customer Service at (850)
617-2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is required to have the vision test under the new
law?
Everyone 80 years of age or older as of January 1, 2004,
must have a vision test under the new law when the person
is in the renewal process.
2. When should the test be completed?
Within 1 year from the date of renewal of a license.
3. I renewed my license on December 1, 2003. Is this still
valid?
Absolutely. If you renewed your driver license before January
1, 2004, it is valid for the duration specified on the license.
A test will be required at the time of your next renewal.
4. I mailed my renewal forms before January 1, 2004,
and am waiting to receive them. Do I now have to take a
vision test?
No. All applications received with a post-mark of December
31, 2003, or earlier, will be processed without a vision
test. The test will be required at your next renewal.
5. I will be 80 years old in three months. Will I lose
my license then? Should I take a test before then?
No. Your license is valid for the duration specified on
your license. You will be required to take a test only when
you renew the next time.
6. Who is authorized to give the test?
Any driver license issuance office will give a free test.
If you pass, you will receive your license immediately,
if otherwise eligible. If not, you will be given a form
to be completed by an eye specialist. Any medical doctor,
osteopath, or optometrist can also give the test.
7. How long after I take the vision test must
I apply to renew my license?
The form is valid for a year from the test date. If you
passed the test at a driver license office, you can get
the license immediately.
8. How long will it take for me to get a license
after passing the vision test?
You can get it immediately if you passed at a driver license
office. If your doctor’s office electronically transfers
the results to us, you can renew by mail, Internet, or telephone
on the same day. If the results are mailed in, allow a week,
primarily for mail time.
9. I am blind in one eye. Will I lose my license?
Not necessarily. Just like any other driver, if you are
blind in one eye, the other eye has an acuity reading of
20/40, and your combined vision is 20/40, you will be eligible
to receive a driver license. Consult your optometrist for
further evaluation.
10. What eyesight (acuity) readings must I have
to receive a driver license?
20/70 in either eye, or both eyes together, may pass with
or without corrective lenses, if vision cannot be improved;
however, if one eye is blind or 20/200 or worse, the other
eye must be 20/40 or better. 20/50 or worse in either eye
with or without corrective lenses are referred to an eye
specialist for possible improvement. 130% is the minimum
acceptable field of vision.
11. How am I supposed to get around if I fail the test?
You may still be eligible to receive a restricted driver
license, based on your eye specialist's evaluation. If you
become totally ineligible, you may wish to contact the Commission
on Transportation Disadvantaged for information regarding
alternative transportation by calling 1-800-983-2435.
Community transportation coordinators are responsible for
the coordination of transportation in one or more counties
throughout the state and are identified at:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/ctd/.
Contact Information
By Telephone: Customer Service
Center (850) 617-2000
By E-Mail: Vision@hsmv.state.fl.us
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