The DMV eye chart test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely

When you renew your license or take a written test at the DMV, you will read letters and numbers on a chart from a set distance — usually 20 feet away. The examiner will ask you to read lines that get progressively smaller. You need to see clearly enough to pass, which typically means reading the line marked 20/40 or better. If you wear glasses or contacts, you wear them during the test.

The test itself takes less than a minute. The examiner stands you in front of the chart, covers one eye at a time, and has you read aloud. If you miss more than a few letters on a line, the examiner will note that and may ask you to try again or move closer. Some states use a machine called a vision screener instead of a printed chart — it works the same way but is electronic.

What happens next depends on your results. If you pass, the test is done and your license reflects your vision status. If you fail, the DMV will not issue or renew your license until you see an eye doctor and bring back a vision report showing you meet the state's standard.

Key Takeaways

  • The DMV eye chart test measures how clearly you see from 20 feet away, and you must read at least the 20/40 line to pass in most states.
  • You wear your glasses or contacts during the test if you normally wear them to drive.
  • The test takes less than a minute and happens at the same visit where you renew your license or take your written test.
  • If you fail, you must visit an eye doctor and bring a completed vision report back to the DMV before you can get or renew your license.
  • Some DMVs use electronic vision screeners instead of paper charts, but the standard and process are the same.

What the 20/40 standard means

The numbers on an eye chart refer to distance and clarity. A score of 20/40 means you can see at 20 feet what a person with typical vision can see at 40 feet. In other words, you need to be twice as close to see the same detail. Most states require 20/40 or better in at least one eye, though some require both eyes to meet that standard.

If you have one eye that is weaker, the DMV will test each eye separately. You cover one eye with an occluder (a small paddle or card) while you read the chart with the other. The examiner records the result for each eye. Some states allow you to pass if one eye meets 20/40, even if the other is worse. Other states require both eyes to meet the standard, or they may restrict your license to daytime driving only if one eye is significantly weaker.

The 20/40 line is not the smallest line on the chart. Below it are smaller lines — 20/30, 20/20, and sometimes 20/15. You do not have to read those to pass. The examiner stops testing once you reach the line you can read clearly.

Bringing glasses or contacts to the DMV

If you wear glasses or contacts to drive, wear them to the DMV. The vision test measures how well you see with your correction in place. If you normally drive without them, do not wear them to the test. The DMV wants to know what you can actually see under the conditions you drive in.

If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, let the examiner know. They may ask you to look through different parts of the lens to make sure you can see the chart clearly. If you wear contacts, bring a backup pair or glasses in case a contact falls out during the test — the DMV will not delay your appointment, but you may need to reschedule the vision portion if you cannot complete it.

Your license will note whether vision correction is required. If the box is checked, you must wear your glasses or contacts every time you drive. Driving without the correction you are licensed to wear is a violation in most states, even if you think you can see well enough without them.

What happens if you fail the eye chart test

If you cannot read the 20/40 line clearly, the examiner will tell you that you did not pass and will explain what comes next. You will not be able to renew your license that day. Instead, you will receive a form or a letter explaining that you need an eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor as soon as you can. Bring the DMV form with you, or ask the DMV what information the eye doctor needs to provide. The eye doctor will test your vision and fill out a report stating whether you meet your state's vision standard. If you do, the doctor will sign the form and you take it back to the DMV. If you do not meet the standard, the doctor will note that, and you may not be able to get a regular license — though some states offer restricted licenses for people with vision loss (such as daytime-only or within a certain distance from home).

Bring the completed eye doctor's report back to the DMV within the timeframe they give you. Once they receive it and confirm you meet the standard, you can renew your license. The whole process usually takes one to three weeks, depending on how quickly you can see an eye doctor.

Vision standards vary by state

Most states require 20/40 vision in at least one eye, but the exact standard and what happens if you fail can differ. Some states require 20/40 in both eyes. Others allow 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other. A few states have different standards for different license types — for example, a standard passenger license might require 20/40, but a commercial license might require 20/30.

Some states also test your peripheral vision — how much you can see to the side without moving your eyes. This is less common than the eye chart test and is usually done only if the examiner suspects a problem or if you are renewing after a vision-related suspension. Peripheral vision is tested with a machine called a visual field screener, not with a chart.

If you are moving to a new state or unsure what your current state requires, contact your DMV before your appointment. You can find your state's vision standard on the DMV website or by calling the office where you plan to renew.

Retesting and vision waivers

If you fail the eye chart test, you can retake it after you see an eye doctor and bring back a report showing you meet the standard. You cannot retake it the same day just to try again — the DMV requires the eye doctor's documentation first.

Some states offer vision waivers for people who do not quite meet the standard but have been driving safely for years. A waiver is not common and is not automatic. You typically have to request one, provide a driving record showing no accidents or violations, and sometimes pass an additional road test. The eye doctor's report must show that your vision is close to the standard, not far below it. Not all states offer waivers, and not all DMV offices grant them even in states where they exist.

If you are denied a license because of vision and you believe the test was wrong, you can request a retest at a different DMV office or ask for a supervisor to review the result. Bring your eye doctor's report with you. The DMV will not override a failed test without documentation from an eye care professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear sunglasses during the eye chart test?

No. You must remove sunglasses and any tinted eyewear. If you have light-sensitive eyes or a medical condition that requires tinted lenses, bring a note from your eye doctor explaining this, and the examiner may allow it. Otherwise, the test must be done with your regular glasses or contacts, or with no correction if you do not normally wear any.

What if I cannot read English well enough to understand the letters?

The eye chart uses letters and numbers, not words, so language is not usually a barrier. The examiner straightforward points to each line and you read the letters aloud. If you have difficulty understanding the instructions, ask the examiner to explain what you need to do. Many DMV offices have interpreters available, and you can request one when you schedule your appointment.

Do I need to pass the eye chart test to get a learner's permit?

Yes. Most states require a vision test for any license or permit, including learner's permits. The standard is the same — usually 20/40 or better. If you fail, you will need an eye doctor's report before you can get the permit.

What if I have one eye and cannot meet the standard in my other eye?

You may still be able to get a license, but it will likely be restricted. Many states allow people with one eye to drive with a restricted license that may require special mirrors, limit night driving, or restrict highway speeds. You will need an eye doctor's report explaining your vision in the eye you have, and the DMV will determine what restrictions explore. Some states require an additional road test in this situation.

How often do I have to retake the eye chart test?

You retake the vision test every time you renew your license. The frequency of renewal varies by state — most renew every four to eight years. If you have a vision-related restriction or have failed a test in the past, some states may require more frequent renewals, such as every two years. Check your state's DMV website or your license to see when your renewal is due.