Missouri Driver License or Permit Vision Test Guidelines

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the vision reading requirements necessary to receive a Missouri driver license and the restrictions imposed when a person’s vision is less than 20/40. (1) The director shall require any person applying for a new driver license or permit or a person renewing a license or permit to submit to an examination of their vision. (2) The vision examination shall be conducted with the use of the Snellan Vision Chart or other vision device of the same standard. Vision examinations may be conducted by designated employees of the Department of Revenue, fee office employees to whom the director has delegated authority, and members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. This person shall administer the vision test without cost to the applicant. Upon notification to the department, a registered optometrist or physician may conduct the vision examination at the applicant’s own expense. (3) The director may issue a license or permit with restrictions as described in sections (5)–(8) or may deny a license or permit to any applicant as described in section (9). (4) Any person whose naked vision in either eye or both eyes is 20/40 or better may receive a license or permit without vision restrictions. (5) Any person whose naked vision is less than 20/40 with either eye or both eyes may receive a conditional license or permit based upon compliance with the following standards: (A) 20/40 or better with either eye or both eyes with corrective lenses shall be subject to the following restrictions: 1. Corrective lenses; (B) 20/40 or better in the right eye and the applicant’s left eye tests 20/100 or less shall be subject to the following restriction(s): 1. With corrective lenses—Left outside rearview mirror and corrective lenses; and 2. Without corrective lenses—Left outside rearview mirror. The corrective lenses restriction may not be required if the left eye reading cannot be improved to 20/40 or better by corrective lenses; (C) 20/40 or better in the left eye and the applicant’s right eye tests 20/100 or less shall be subject to the following restriction(s): 1. With corrective lenses—Right outside rearview mirror and corrective lenses; and 2. Without corrective lenses—Right outside rearview mirror. The corrective lenses restriction may not be required if the right eye reading cannot be improved to 20/40 or better by corrective lenses; and (D) Any applicant not meeting the vision readings with or without correction as specified in this section shall be referred to a registered optometrist or physician for further testing. (6) Any applicant whose vision does not meet the 20/40 reading with corrective lenses and has been referred to a registered optometrist or physician may receive a conditional license or permit based upon compliance with the following standards: (A) 20/40 or better with either eye or both eyes with corrective lenses shall be subject to the following restriction: 1. Corrective lenses; (B) 20/41–20/59 with either eye or both eyes with corrective lenses shall be subject to the following restriction: 1. Corrective lenses; and daylight driving only; and (C) 20/60–20/74 with either eye or both eyes with corrective lenses shall be subject to the following restriction: 1. Corrective lenses; daylight driving only; and operating a motor vehicle at no more than forty-five miles per hour (45 mph). (7) Any applicant for a driver license whose vision reading is 20/75–21/160 with either eye or both eyes with corrective lenses shall be referred to the department. The department shall require the applicant to submit to an examination to determine their ability to operate a vehicle safely upon the public streets and highways of this state in spite of the vision infirmity. If the department is satisfied that the person safely can operate a motor vehicle, a conditional license restricting the applicant to points of operation, times of operation, or any other driving conditions deemed necessary may be issued. The examination is not required prior to the issuance of a permit. (8) A restriction may be removed or waived from the driver license or permit under the following circumstances: (A) If an applicant’s vision is better than 20/160 and cannot be improved with corrective lenses, the corrective lenses restriction shall not be required. Other restrictions may be required as determined by the department; and (B) If a registered optometrist or physician recommends removal of the daylight driving only restriction; or operating a motor vehicle at no more than forty-five miles per hour (45 mph) restriction. (9) Any applicant with a vision reading of 20/161 or less shall be denied a Missouri driver license or permit. (10) Vision readings completed by a registered optometrist or physician are valid for one (1) year from the date of eye examination. (11) Any applicant requesting a license with the aid of bioptic telescopic lenses, whether monocular or binocular, must be able to pass a vision test, up to 20/160, without the aid of a telescopic lens or lenses to be eligible for a Missouri license. If the applicant has a telescopic lens or lenses mounted above the line of sight through the carrier lens of the glasses, the telescopic lens can be a supplement to the person’s vision. Under no condition can the telescopic lens be used to correct the person’s vision in order to meet the licensing standard up to 20/160. AUTHORITY: section 302.175, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Dec. 2, 1986, effective March 26, 1987. Amended: Filed Sept. 17, 1987, effective Jan. 14, 1988. Amended: Filed Nov. 12, 1991, effective March 9, 1992. Amended: Filed Aug. 11, 1995, effective Feb. 25, 1996. Amended: Filed Aug. 27, 2003, effective Feb. 29, 2004. Amended: Filed Aug. 18, 2025, effective Feb. 28, 2026. *Original authority: 302.175, RSMo 1965, amended 1987, 1989.