The vision test is a separate, quick check that happens before or alongside your written test

The vision test for your driver's license is not part of the written knowledge test — it is its own requirement that you will take at the same appointment. A staff member at the DMV or testing location will check how well you can see using a machine called a vision screener or by having you read letters on a chart from a set distance. You do not study for this test. It straightforward measures whether your eyesight is sharp enough to drive safely.

Most states require you to see at least 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without glasses or contacts. If you wear corrective lenses, you must wear them during the test — and if you pass while wearing them, your license will be marked to show you must wear them while driving. If your vision does not meet the standard, you will not pass the vision test, and you cannot move forward to the written test that day.

Key Takeaways

  • The vision test happens at the same DMV visit as your written test, usually just before it.
  • You must see at least 20/40 in each eye; the exact requirement varies slightly by state.
  • Wear your glasses or contacts if you normally do, and your license will require you to wear them while driving.
  • If you fail the vision test, you can retake it after a waiting period, which ranges from a few days to a few weeks depending on your state.

How the vision test works at the DMV

When you arrive for your appointment, the DMV staff will direct you to the vision screening area before you sit for the written test. You will stand or sit in front of a machine or a wall chart and read letters or numbers from about 20 feet away. The staff member will test each eye separately, covering one eye at a time. The whole process takes about two to three minutes.

Some DMV locations use an automated vision screener — a machine you look into that measures your vision electronically. Others use a traditional eye chart where you read aloud what you see. Both methods are equally valid; your state chooses which one to use. Either way, you are not being judged on how you perform — the machine or chart straightforward records whether you meet the legal minimum.

What happens if you wear glasses or contacts

If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you and wear them during the vision test. You do not need a current eye exam or a prescription — the test itself is the only measurement that matters. When you pass while wearing corrective lenses, the DMV will add a restriction code to your license that says you must wear them whenever you drive.

This restriction is not a penalty. It is a safety requirement that protects you and others on the road. If you are stopped by police and you are not wearing your glasses or contacts, you can be cited for violating your license restriction, even if your vision would be fine without them in that moment. If your eyesight changes and you no longer need correction, you can visit the DMV to remove the restriction after passing a new vision test without glasses.

Vision requirements by state

Most states require 20/40 vision or better in at least one eye, and many require it in both eyes. A few states allow 20/50 or 20/60 in the weaker eye if the stronger eye meets 20/40. Some states also test your peripheral vision — how wide your field of view is — because side vision matters for spotting other cars and hazards.

A handful of states have slightly different standards for commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) or for drivers over a certain age. Your state's DMV website will list the exact requirement, but you do not need to memorize it. The vision screener will tell you whether you pass or fail on the spot.

What to do if you fail the vision test

If your vision does not meet your state's standard, you will not pass the vision test, and you will not be allowed to take the written test that day. The DMV will tell you the reason — usually that your vision is below 20/40 — and will give you information about retesting.

Most states let you retake the vision test after a waiting period of three to seven days. Some allow you to retake it the same day if you go home and get your glasses or contacts and return. Before you retake it, see an eye doctor if your vision has changed or if you think you might need a new prescription. Passing the vision test with a current prescription is much easier than trying to pass without one.

If you fail a second time, the waiting period for a third attempt is usually longer — sometimes 30 days. After multiple failures, some states require you to get a letter from an eye doctor stating that you can see well enough to drive before you are allowed to test again.

Color blindness and other vision conditions

Most states do not test for color blindness during the vision screening, because color blindness does not prevent you from driving safely. You can drive with color blindness; you just need to learn to recognize traffic lights by their position (red is always on top, green is always on bottom) rather than by color alone.

If you have other vision conditions — such as cataracts, macular degeneration, or a significant difference in vision between your two eyes — you may still pass the vision test if your best-corrected vision meets the standard. However, some conditions may require a medical evaluation or a letter from your eye doctor before the DMV will issue your license. If you have a vision condition and are unsure whether you can drive legally, contact your state's DMV before you test.

Preparing for the vision test

There is no way to study for the vision test, but you can prepare by making sure your eyes are in the best condition possible on test day. If you wear glasses or contacts, clean them before you go and bring them with you. If you have been meaning to update your prescription, do that before your test — an outdated prescription can cause you to fail.

Get a good night's sleep before your appointment. Tired eyes perform worse on vision tests. Avoid spending hours on your phone or computer the day of your test, as this can cause temporary eye strain. If you have any doubt about whether your vision will pass, visit an eye doctor a week or two before your DMV appointment. An eye doctor can tell you whether you will pass and can provide a new prescription if you need one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I retake the vision test the same day if I fail?

Some states allow same-day retesting if you leave and return with glasses or contacts. Others require you to wait three to seven days. Check your state's DMV website or call ahead to find out the rule where you live.

What if I have one eye that is much weaker than the other?

Most states test each eye separately and require at least 20/40 in each eye. If one eye is weaker, you may still pass if both eyes meet the standard. If one eye does not, you will fail, but you can retake the test after getting a new prescription or medical evaluation.

Do I have to wear the same glasses or contacts during the driving test that I wore during the vision test?

You do not have to wear the exact same pair, but your license will require you to wear corrective lenses while driving if you passed the vision test while wearing them. Any glasses or contacts that give you the same vision correction will satisfy the requirement.

What if I am colorblind — will I fail the vision test?

No. Color blindness is not tested during the standard vision screening, and it does not disqualify you from driving. You can drive safely with color blindness by learning to recognize traffic lights by their position rather than their color.

Can I take the vision test without glasses if I usually wear them?

You can, but if you fail without glasses and then pass with them, your license will require you to wear them while driving. If you want to drive without glasses, you must pass the vision test without them. Most people who wear glasses will not pass without them.