FMCSA Announces Proposal to Amend Driver Vision Standard

A woman gets an eye exam. (JeffKontur/Getty Images)

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A new regulation would allow truck drivers who cannot meet current federal vision standards of either distant visual acuity or field of vision, or both, in one eye to be physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.

“Currently, such individuals are prohibited from driving CMVs in interstate commerce unless they obtain an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,” a Jan. 12 agency Federal Register post said. “The agency proposes an alternative vision standard for physical qualification that, if adopted, would replace the current vision exemption program as a basis for establishing the physical qualification determination for these individuals.”

Specifically, under the current standard that went into effect beginning in 1971, an individual is physically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle if that person has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity of 20/40 or better with corrective lenses, and a field of vision of at least 70 degrees in each eye.

In addition, a driver must have the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green and amber colors.

Vision Proposal by Transport Topics on Scribd

Under current regulatory requirements, if a driver does not meet the standard, he or she must request an exemption from FMCSA, a process that requires extensive backup paperwork and often can take months.

To qualify for an exemption from the vision requirement, FMCSA requires drivers to present verifiable evidence that they have driven a commercial vehicle safely in intrastate commerce with the vision deficiency for the past three years. Recent driving performance is especially important in evaluating future safety, according to several research studies designed to correlate past and future driving performance.

At present, 2,566 drivers hold FMCSA vision exemptions, according to the agency.

However, if finalized, the new proposed policy — dubbed a “performance-based approach” — would require that anyone who does not meet the acuity and field of vision standards to submit to an examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The exam report would then be sent to the medical examiner, who would make the final decision.

Once that decision is made, a driver deemed qualified can stay behind the wheel and be given a 12-month medical card.

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“It is well-recognized in the literature that individuals with vision loss in one eye can and do develop compensatory viewing behavior to mitigate the vision loss,” FMCSA said.

Should the proposal become a final rule, an individual who cannot meet either the distant visual acuity or field of vision standard, or both, in one eye could be physically qualified without applying for or receiving an exemption, the agency said.

“FMCSA estimates that the proposed rule would reduce barriers to entry for current and future CMV drivers,” the announcement said. “The 2,566 drivers holding vision exemptions would no longer have to apply for an exemption, and potential driver applicants who do not have three years of intrastate driving experience may meet the alternative vision standard and be able to operate a CMV in interstate commerce.”

Also, with limited exceptions, individuals physically qualified under the alternative standard in their states for the first time would complete a road test before operating a CMV in interstate commerce, FMCSA said.

The agency will accept public comment on the proposal through March 15.

Although it has been published in the Federal Register, it could be withdrawn by the Biden administration during a regulatory review at a later date, according to a regulatory freeze memorandum announced by the White House on Jan. 20.

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