Life On the Road With Visual Impairments

Having good vision is vital to staying safe on the road. From spotting objects in the distance to identifying road hazards and reading signs, strong sight can help you avoid life-threatening errors.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires drivers to take a vision exam before obtaining a license. Some visual impairments may require you to wear corrective lenses, while more severe conditions can exclude you from driving entirely.

MoneyGeek has compiled an overview to cover the various requirements of each state, provide resources and tools for safe driving, and how having limited vision could affect your car insurance rates.

Many American adults have visual disabilities that can interfere with driving or even make the prospect of driving entirely impossible. For example, more than 3 million people in the U.S. have a vision problem and more than 1 million people are legally blind.

Sources: American Foundation for the Blind, American Academy of Ophthalmology EyeWiki and NVisionCenters

Obtaining or renewing a driver’s license can be nerve-wracking for someone with a visual impairment. Whether genetic or brought on by age, certain conditions can prevent a person from passing the DMV vision test. Corrective lenses and other solutions can often improve most people’s vision enough to allow them to get on the road.

Vision acuity measures clarity of vision at a distance of 20 feet. 20/20 is normal vision acuity. A vision of 20/100 suggests someone needs to be as close as 20 feet from an object to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.

Some conditions can be corrected or improved with eyeglasses or contacts. A number of visual impairments can cause you to have more serious trouble. Below are several common types of impairments and their challenges.

Technological advancements have made it possible for those with visual impairments to live more seamlessly than ever before. From simple corrective lenses to smart electronic glasses, a host of solutions are opening doors to people with a range of visual disabilities. Many such options make it possible for those with visual impairments to be financially secure and qualify for a driver’s license.

Insurance companies set prices depending on the level of risk. Someone with a limited range of vision poses a more significant risk than someone without. If you have a minor condition that can easily be corrected with glasses, your premiums will not be affected. People with a significant visual impairment, such as vision acuity of 20/200, will need to purchase extra coverage.

Insurance companies cannot arbitrarily decide to increase your premiums because you wear glasses for nearsightedness. If your visual impairment affects your driver’s license status, you’ll see action from your insurance company. Make sure to choose the right insurance company so your premiums stay low.

You do not technically need to disclose medical conditions to your insurer. But it’s always in your best interest to let your insurer know if you have any diagnosis or disability that will affect your driving. If your insurer finds out that an accident was because of an undiagnosed condition, it can legally deny your claim. You may also be charged with committing insurance fraud.

The DMV obligates all licensed drivers to drive safely. As a result, every U.S. state requires drivers to take a vision test before getting behind the wheel. It may also be best to make any necessary modifications to your vehicle prior to driving.

• Unrestricted: An unrestricted license is for those of age who have applied for a driver’s license and passed their driver’s test. The license holder has earned the right to make any driving decision they see fit within the limits of the law.
• Restricted: A restricted license limits driving in some way. For example, those with some visual impairments may not be able to drive at night. An underage driver may also be able to obtain a restricted license that allows them to drive to and from school on their own, but not other places.

Vision requirements vary from state to state, with some more stringent than others. Your vision acuity will typically need to range from 20/40-20/70 in either one or both eyes.

Some states like Kansas, Iowa and Alabama also require a temporal visual field of at least 110 degrees horizontally in both eyes. Other states like California, Colorado and Delaware have no visual field requirements. Optometrists and those who administer eye tests at the DMV can determine whether you meet the minimum standard.

Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology EyeWiki

The DMV vision test usually takes a maximum of ten minutes, and it’s nothing like an actual medical exam.

There are a host of resources to help you understand how to drive safely and confidently despite having a visual impairment.

• Discovery Eye Foundation: This Discovery Foundation researches sight-threatening eye diseases and their treatments, improving the quality of life for patients and their families.
• National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP): This program offers resources and information on various types of visual impairments.
• Eyeglass & Contact Lens Store Buying Guide: Corrective lenses are one of the most common ways to improve vision. This guide can help you pick the right options for your needs.
• Social Security Administration (SSA): This resource from the Social Security Administration explains how you can get support from the U.S. government if you are blind or have low vision.