Vision requirements
To get a driver's license in Missouri, a person needs to see at least 20/40 out of each eye. If someone's natural eyesight is worse than that but glasses or contacts fix it to 20/40 or better, they can still get a license — but it will say they must wear those lenses while driving. If someone can't fix their vision even with lenses, they can bring a note from an eye doctor or regular doctor, and the state may test them to see if they can still drive safely. If the state decides they can, the license may come with special rules, like only driving in certain places or at certain times. The eye test is done using a standard eye chart and must also check side vision.
302.175. Vision requirements — examination — may be d with conditions, limitations, . — 1. The shall not issue or renew a license to any whose vision is not twenty-forty or better with either eye according to the test for vision provided in this section. Any person whose naked vision is less than twenty-forty with either or both eyes but whose vision in one eye has been corrected to twenty-forty or better by the use of may be issued a , that the person may operate a motor vehicle only when wearing corrective lenses which will correct his vision to meet the requirements of this section, which condition shall be noted on the license of the person and it is for the person to operate a motor vehicle upon any public of this state unless he is at the time complying with the condition. If a person whose naked vision is less than twenty-forty is unable to accomplish the correction of this condition by corrective lenses and produces a statement from a or physician to that effect, the director may conduct an examination to determine the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways of this state with safety in spite of his . If the director is satisfied that the person can operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways of this state with safety in spite of his vision infirmity, the director may issue him a license containing the conditions, limitations and restrictions as to of operation and time of operation, or any other conditions, limitations or restrictions that the director deems advisable.
2. The vision examination shall be conducted with the use of the "Snellan Vision Chart" or other vision determining device of the same standard by any person to whom the director has the duties without cost to the applicant, or, at the applicant's , by a registered optometrist or physician at the applicant's expense and shall further include in accordance with standards presented by the director. All vision tests shall be made with not less than thirty foot candle illumination.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1965 p. 479, A.L. 1987 S.B. 283, A.L. 1989 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 3) Effective 7-27-89
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.