More Drivers May Get Vision Waivers

An additional 32 truck drivers with substandard vision in one eye are trying to get commercial driver licenses.

The Federal Highway Administration announced its intention to waive vision standards for this set of drivers, who have disabilities that range from a "lazy eye" and cataracts to total blindness in one eye.

The two-year exemptions could be renewed. Drivers would have to be examined by an ophthalmologist annually to make sure the vision in their good eye meets federal requirements.

FHWA has pursued a path of granting vision waivers despite some industry opposition. The government can make exceptions as long as an "equivalent level" of safety is maintained.

This is the second batch of vision exemptions since the agency was given greater leeway to grant exemptions of all kinds in the 1998 highway bill.

Twenty-three drivers with bad vision in one eye got their CDLs in April.

Sandra Zywokarte, with the Office of Motor Carrier and Highway Safety's Research and Standards Division, said another 600 drivers in similar situations have applied for exemptions.