The DMV uses a standard eye chart to check if you can see well enough to drive safely

The eye chart at the DMV is called a Snellen chart. It shows rows of letters that get smaller as you move down the page. You stand about 20 feet away and read the letters aloud while the examiner covers one eye at a time. The test takes about two minutes and is pass or fail — there is no score or grade.

The DMV is checking whether you meet your state's minimum vision requirement, which is usually 20/40 vision in at least one eye, though some states require 20/30. If you wear glasses or contacts, you take the test wearing them. If you fail, most states let you retake it the same day after a short wait, or you can come back another time.

This is not a full eye exam. The DMV is not checking for color blindness, depth perception, or eye disease. If you have concerns about your eye health, you need to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist — the DMV test does not replace that.

Key Takeaways

  • The DMV eye chart is a Snellen chart with rows of letters that decrease in size, and you read it from 20 feet away with one eye at a time.
  • Most states require 20/40 vision in at least one eye to pass, though your state's requirement may differ.
  • You take the test wearing your glasses or contacts if you normally wear them while driving.
  • Failing the DMV eye test does not mean you have a vision problem — it means you do not meet the state's minimum for driving, and you may need a corrective lens prescription update.
  • The DMV eye test is not a medical eye exam and does not screen for color blindness, depth perception, or eye disease.

What the Snellen chart looks like and how it works

The Snellen chart is a white card or screen with 11 rows of black letters. The top row has one large letter, usually an E. Each row below has more letters and they get progressively smaller. The bottom rows are so small that most people cannot read them without correction.

You stand exactly 20 feet from the chart. The examiner points to each row and asks you to read the letters aloud, starting at the top. You read with your right eye first while the left eye is covered, then switch. The examiner notes the smallest row you can read clearly with each eye.

Your vision is recorded as a fraction, like 20/40. The first number is always 20 — the distance you stand from the chart. The second number is the distance at which a person with normal vision could read that same line. So 20/40 means you have to stand 20 feet away to read what a person with normal vision could read from 40 feet away. The better your vision, the smaller the bottom number.

Vision requirements by state and what happens if you fail

Most states require 20/40 vision in at least one eye to hold a driver's license. Some states are stricter and require 20/30. A few states allow 20/50 or 20/60 with a restriction on your license limiting where or when you can drive. Your state's DMV website lists the exact requirement.

If you fail the eye test, you have options. You can retake it when ready at most DMV locations — sometimes the same day, sometimes after a waiting period of 15 to 30 minutes. If you fail a second time, most states will not issue or renew your license until you pass. You can then return another day to try again, or you can get a new glasses or contacts prescription and come back.

Some states offer a medical waiver if you have a documented eye condition. You would need a letter from an eye doctor stating that you meet the vision requirement or that your condition is stable. This is rare and depends entirely on your state's rules.

How to prepare for the DMV eye test

If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. You must take the test wearing the correction you normally use while driving. If your prescription has changed or you are not sure, visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist before your DMV appointment. A new prescription costs between $100 and $200 depending on where you go, and it is much cheaper than failing the test and having to return.

If you do not normally wear glasses but have trouble seeing the board at a distance, consider getting your eyes checked before you go to the DMV. You may have developed nearsightedness and not realized it. An eye doctor can tell you in one visit whether you need correction.

On the day of your test, make sure you are well-rested and not tired or stressed. Fatigue can make it harder to focus on small letters. Avoid bright sunlight or glare just before the test, as your eyes need a moment to adjust to the indoor lighting of the DMV.

What to know about vision correction and driving restrictions

If you pass the eye test while wearing glasses or contacts, your license will be marked with a restriction code. The code varies by state but usually says something like "Corrective lenses required" or "Must wear glasses or contacts." This means you are legally required to wear your correction every time you drive. Driving without it, even if you feel fine, is a violation and can result in a ticket.

If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, the DMV test does not check whether they work well for driving. Some people find that progressive lenses cause distortion at the edges of their vision while driving. If you have this problem, talk to your eye doctor about getting a separate pair of driving glasses with a different prescription.

Contact lens wearers should know that some states ask whether you wear contacts during the eye test. This is so the examiner can note it on your record. If you switch to glasses later, you do not need to retake the test — the restriction just says "corrective lenses," which covers both.

Common reasons people fail the DMV eye test

The most common reason is an outdated or incorrect glasses or contacts prescription. If your prescription has not been updated in more than two years, or if you have noticed that road signs are getting harder to read, your vision has likely changed. An eye doctor can update your prescription in one visit.

The second most common reason is not wearing the correction you normally use. Some people think they can pass without glasses if they squint or try hard. The DMV will not let you retake the test when ready if you fail this way — you have to come back another day. Always wear what you normally wear while driving.

A third reason is eye strain or fatigue on the day of the test. If you have been staring at a screen all morning or did not sleep well, your eyes may not focus as sharply. If you fail, ask whether you can retake it after resting for 15 minutes in a quiet area of the DMV.

Cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy can all cause vision loss that shows up on the DMV test. If you have any of these conditions or a family history of eye disease, see an eye doctor before your DMV appointment. Some conditions can be treated or managed to improve your vision.

Scam alert: fake vision tests and online "DMV eye exams"

Do not pay for an online vision test or read an app that claims to test your vision for the DMV. These are not recognized by any state DMV and will not count toward your requirement. The only eye test that matters is the one at the DMV office itself, performed by a DMV examiner or a licensed eye care professional contracted by your state.

Some websites advertise "DMV-approved" glasses or contacts. The DMV does not approve any brand of eyewear. What matters is that your glasses or contacts give you the vision you need to pass the test. Buy from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist, not from a third-party website claiming DMV approval.

If someone offers to take the eye test for you or claims they can get you a license without passing the test, that is fraud. The DMV keeps records of who took each test. Lying about your vision on a driver's license process is a crime and can result in license suspension, fines, and criminal charges if you cause an accident.

What happens after you pass the eye test

Once you pass, the examiner records your vision result in the DMV system. If you are renewing your license, this information goes on your new license. If you are getting your first license, the eye test is one of several requirements — you still have to pass the written test and the driving test.

Your vision result is valid for the length of your license. In most states, that is four to eight years. When you renew your license, you will take the eye test again. If your vision has changed, you may need to update your prescription or add a restriction to your license.

Keep your glasses or contacts with you while driving. If you are stopped by police and your license says "corrective lenses required" but you are not wearing them, you can be cited. If you are in an accident and were not wearing your correction, your insurance company may deny your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear sunglasses during the DMV eye test?

No. You must remove sunglasses and any tinted eyewear. The examiner needs to see your eyes clearly and you need to see the chart without any tint or glare. If you have light-sensitive eyes, tell the examiner — they may dim the lights slightly or give you a moment to adjust.

What if I cannot read the chart because I am colorblind?

The Snellen chart uses black letters on a white background, so colorblindness does not affect the test. The DMV does not screen for colorblindness during the vision test. If you are colorblind and concerned about driving safety, talk to your eye doctor about whether it affects your ability to see traffic lights or road signs.

Do I have to retake the eye test if I get a new glasses prescription?

No. Once you pass the DMV eye test, you do not have to retake it unless your license expires and you renew it, or your state requires retesting for a specific reason. You can update your glasses prescription anytime without notifying the DMV, as long as your new glasses meet the vision requirement.

What if I have one eye that is much worse than the other?

The DMV tests each eye separately and only requires that one eye meet the minimum vision requirement. If your right eye is 20/40 and your left eye is 20/100, you pass because your right eye meets the standard. Your license will show the restriction "corrective lenses required," and you must wear your glasses or contacts while driving.

Can I bring someone to help me read the chart if I have dyslexia?

No. The DMV examiner administers the test and you must read the letters yourself. If you have dyslexia or another reading disability, tell the examiner before the test starts. They may be able to adjust the test format slightly, but the vision requirement itself does not change. Talk to your eye doctor beforehand if you are concerned about how your disability might affect the test.