PURPOSE: This rule establishes the vision reading requirements necessary to receive a Missouri drivers 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 drivers license or a person renewing a license to submit to an examination of his/her vision.

1. (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 any person employed by 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.
2. (3) The director may issue a license with restrictions as described in sections (5)–(8) or may deny a license to any applicant as described in section (9).
3. (4) Any person whose naked vision in either eye or both eyes is 20/40 or better may receive a license without vision restrictions.

4. (5) Any person whose naked vision is less than 20/40 with either eye or both eyes may receive a conditional license based upon compliance with the following standards:

   1. (A) 20/40 or better with either eye or both eyes with corrective lenses shall be subject to the following restriction:

      1. 1. Corrective lenses;

   2. (B) 20/40 or better in the right eye and applicant’s left eye tests 20/100 or less shall be subject to the following restriction(s):

      1. 1. With corrective lenses—Left outside

rearview mirror and corrective lenses; and

1. 2. Without corrective lenses—Left out-

side 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; and

1. (C) 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.

1. (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 based upon compliance with the following standards:

   1. (A) 20/40 or better with either eye or both eyes with corrective lenses shall be subject to the following restriction:

      1. 1. Corrective lenses;

   2. (B) 20/41–20/59 with either eye or both eyes with corrective lenses shall be subject to the following restriction:

      1. 1. Corrective lenses; and daylight dri-

ving only; and

1. (C) 20/60–20/74 with either eye or both eyes with corrective lenses shall be subject to the following restriction:

   1. 1. Corrective lenses; daylight driving

only; and operating a motor vehicle at no more than forty-five miles per hour (45 mph).

1. (7) Any applicant 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 his/her 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.

2. (8) A restriction may be removed or waived from the drivers license under the following circumstances:

   1. (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
   2. (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.
3. (9) Any applicant with a vision reading of 20/161 or less shall be denied a Missouri drivers license.

AUTHORITY: section 302.175, RSMo 1994.* 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.

*Original authority: 302.175, RSMo 1965, amended 1987, 1989.