{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-311.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-311.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-311.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-311.html"}],"law_id":80708,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80708,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-311","catch_line":"Persons having defective vision; minimum standards of visual acuity and field of vision; tests of vision","history":"1968, c. 642, \u00a7 46.1-357.2; 1972, c. 502; 1980, c. 118; 1981, c. 194; 1984, c. 780; 1989, cc. 705, 727; 2010, c. 18; 2013, cc. 165, 582; 2017, cc. 121, 279.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department shall not issue a driver&#8217;s license or learner&#8217;s permit (i) to any person unless he demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/40 in one or both eyes with or without corrective lenses or (ii) to any such person unless he demonstrates at least a field of 110 degrees of horizontal vision in one or both eyes or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range. However, a license permitting the driving of motor vehicles during a period beginning one-half hour after sunrise and ending one-half hour before sunset, may be issued to a person who demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/70 in one or both eyes without or with corrective lenses provided he demonstrates at least a field of 70 degrees of horizontal vision or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range, and further provided that if such person has vision in one eye only, he demonstrates at least a field of 40 degrees temporal and 30 degrees nasal horizontal vision or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range.B\n\nThe Department shall not issue a driver&#8217;s license or learner&#8217;s permit to any person authorizing the driving of a commercial motor vehicle as defined in the Virginia Commercial Driver&#8217;s License Act (&#xA7; 46.2-341.1 et seq.) unless he demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/40 in each eye and at least a field of 140 degrees of horizontal vision or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range.C\n\nEvery person applying to renew a driver&#8217;s license and required to be reexamined as a prerequisite to the renewal of the license, shall:1\n\nAppear before a license examiner of the Department to demonstrate his visual acuity and horizontal field of vision, or2\n\nAccompany his application with a report of such examination made within 90 days prior thereto by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.D\n\nThe test of horizontal visual fields made by license examiners of the Department shall be performed at thirty-three and one-third centimeters with a 10 millimeter round white test object or may, at the discretion of the Commissioner, be performed with electronic or other devices designed for the purpose of testing visual acuity and horizontal field of vision. The report of examination of visual acuity and horizontal field of vision made by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shall have precedence over an examination made by a license examiner of the Department in administrative determination as to the issuance of a license to drive. Any such report may, in the discretion of the Commissioner, be referred to a medical advisory board or to the State Health Commissioner for evaluation.E\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of this section, any person who is licensed to drive any motor vehicle may, on special application to the Department, be licensed to drive any vehicle, provided the operation of the vehicle would not unduly endanger the public safety, as determined by the Commissioner.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner may waive the vision requirements of subsection B for any commercial driver&#8217;s license applicant who either (i) is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations but is exempt from the vision standards of 49 C.F.R. Part 391 or (ii) is not required to meet the vision standards specified in 49 C.F.R. &#xA7; 391.41 of the regulations.\n\t\t\tIn order to determine whether such a waiver would unduly endanger the public safety, the Commissioner shall require such commercial driver&#8217;s license applicant to submit a special waiver application and to provide all medical information relating to his vision that may be requested by the Department. The Department may require such commercial driver&#8217;s license applicant to take a road test administered by the Department before determining whether to grant a waiver. If a waiver is granted, the Department may subject the applicant&#8217;s use of a commercial motor vehicle to reasonable restrictions, which shall be noted on the commercial driver&#8217;s license. If a waiver is granted, the Department may also limit the validity period of the commercial driver&#8217;s license, and the expiration date shall be noted on the commercial driver&#8217;s license.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":289318,"text":"The Department shall not issue a driver&#8217;s license or learner&#8217;s permit (i) to any person unless he demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/40 in one or both eyes with or without corrective lenses or (ii) to any such person unless he demonstrates at least a field of 110 degrees of horizontal vision in one or both eyes or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range. However, a license permitting the driving of motor vehicles during a period beginning one-half hour after sunrise and ending one-half hour before sunset, may be issued to a person who demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/70 in one or both eyes without or with corrective lenses provided he demonstrates at least a field of 70 degrees of horizontal vision or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range, and further provided that if such person has vision in one eye only, he demonstrates at least a field of 40 degrees temporal and 30 degrees nasal horizontal vision or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":289319,"text":"The Department shall not issue a driver&#8217;s license or learner&#8217;s permit to any person authorizing the driving of a commercial motor vehicle as defined in the Virginia Commercial Driver&#8217;s License Act (&#xA7; 46.2-341.1 et seq.) unless he demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/40 in each eye and at least a field of 140 degrees of horizontal vision or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":289320,"text":"Every person applying to renew a driver&#8217;s license and required to be reexamined as a prerequisite to the renewal of the license, shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":289321,"text":"Appear before a license examiner of the Department to demonstrate his visual acuity and horizontal field of vision, or","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":289322,"text":"Accompany his application with a report of such examination made within 90 days prior thereto by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":289323,"text":"The test of horizontal visual fields made by license examiners of the Department shall be performed at thirty-three and one-third centimeters with a 10 millimeter round white test object or may, at the discretion of the Commissioner, be performed with electronic or other devices designed for the purpose of testing visual acuity and horizontal field of vision. The report of examination of visual acuity and horizontal field of vision made by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shall have precedence over an examination made by a license examiner of the Department in administrative determination as to the issuance of a license to drive. Any such report may, in the discretion of the Commissioner, be referred to a medical advisory board or to the State Health Commissioner for evaluation.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":289324,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of this section, any person who is licensed to drive any motor vehicle may, on special application to the Department, be licensed to drive any vehicle, provided the operation of the vehicle would not unduly endanger the public safety, as determined by the Commissioner.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner may waive the vision requirements of subsection B for any commercial driver&#8217;s license applicant who either (i) is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations but is exempt from the vision standards of 49 C.F.R. Part 391 or (ii) is not required to meet the vision standards specified in 49 C.F.R. &#xA7; 391.41 of the regulations.\n\t\t\tIn order to determine whether such a waiver would unduly endanger the public safety, the Commissioner shall require such commercial driver&#8217;s license applicant to submit a special waiver application and to provide all medical information relating to his vision that may be requested by the Department. The Department may require such commercial driver&#8217;s license applicant to take a road test administered by the Department before determining whether to grant a waiver. If a waiver is granted, the Department may subject the applicant&#8217;s use of a commercial motor vehicle to reasonable restrictions, which shall be noted on the commercial driver&#8217;s license. If a waiver is granted, the Department may also limit the validity period of the commercial driver&#8217;s license, and the expiration date shall be noted on the commercial driver&#8217;s license.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15802,"edition_id":1,"name":"Persons Not to Be Licensed","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12772,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:59:43","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:59:43","permalink":{"id":226379,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15802,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12772,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licensure of Drivers","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12771,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225629,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12772,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/II\/3","url":"\/46.2\/II\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12771,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling, Registration and Licensure","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225627,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12771,"identifier":"II","token":"46.2\/II","url":"\/46.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":80708,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-311","catch_line":"Persons having defective vision; minimum standards of visual acuity and field of vision; tests of vision","url":"\/46.2-311\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-311","metadata":false},{"id":77772,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-312","catch_line":"Persons using bioptic telescopic lenses","url":"\/46.2-312\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-312","metadata":false},{"id":76904,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-313","catch_line":"Persons with suspended or revoked licenses","url":"\/46.2-313\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-313","metadata":false},{"id":64073,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-314","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-314\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-314","metadata":false},{"id":69567,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-315","catch_line":"Persons unable to exercise reasonable and ordinary control over a motor vehicle","url":"\/46.2-315\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-315","metadata":false},{"id":80892,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-316","catch_line":"Persons convicted or found not innocent of certain offenses; requirement of proof of financial responsibility in the future for certain offenses","url":"\/46.2-316\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-316","metadata":false},{"id":64027,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-317","catch_line":"Persons making false statement in application","url":"\/46.2-317\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-317","metadata":false},{"id":72608,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-318","catch_line":"Cancellation or revocation of license where application is false in material particular","url":"\/46.2-318\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-318","metadata":false},{"id":60901,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-319","catch_line":"Refusal or revocation of license for certain fraudulent acts in obtaining a driver's license","url":"\/46.2-319\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-319","metadata":false},{"id":85855,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-320","catch_line":"Other grounds for refusal or suspension","url":"\/46.2-320\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-320","metadata":false},{"id":81751,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-320.1","catch_line":"Other grounds for suspension; nonpayment of child support","url":"\/46.2-320.1\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-320.1","metadata":false},{"id":76219,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-320.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-320.2\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-320.2","metadata":false},{"id":77673,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-321","catch_line":"Appeal from denial, suspension, or revocation of license; operation of vehicle pending appeal","url":"\/46.2-321\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-321","metadata":false},{"id":81924,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-322","catch_line":"Examination of licensee believed unable to drive safely; suspension or restriction of license; license application to include questions as to abilities of applicant; false answers; examination of applicant; physician's, advanced practice registered nurse's, or physician assistant's statement","url":"\/46.2-322\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-322","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":77772,"structure_id":15802,"section_number":"46.2-312","catch_line":"Persons using bioptic telescopic lenses","url":"\/46.2-312\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-312","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-311\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1968. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 642 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1968 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1972, chapter 502; in 1980, chapter 118; in 1981, chapter 194; in 1984, chapter 780; in 1989, chapters 705 and 727; in 2010, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0018\">18<\/a>; in 2013, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0165\">165<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0582\">582<\/a>; in 2017, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?171+ful+CHAP0121\">121<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?171+ful+CHAP0279\">279<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":60901,"section_number":"46.2-319","catch_line":"Refusal or revocation of license for certain fraudulent acts in obtaining a driver's license","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-319\/"},{"id":66333,"section_number":"46.2-325","catch_line":"Examination of applicants; waiver of Department's examination under certain circumstances; behind-the-wheel and knowledge examinations","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-325\/"},{"id":55697,"section_number":"46.2-330","catch_line":"Expiration and renewal of licenses; examinations required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-330\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":62139,"section_number":"46.2-341.1","catch_line":"Title","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-341.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":226381,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80708,"identifier":"46.2-311","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-311","url":"\/46.2-311\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-311\/","token":"46.2\/II\/3\/3\/46.2-311","dublin_core":{"Title":"Persons having defective vision; minimum standards of visual acuity and field of vision; tests of vision","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-311","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall not <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> a <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license or learner&#8217;s permit (i) to any person unless he demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/40 in one or both eyes with or without corrective lenses or (ii) to any such person unless he demonstrates at least a field of 110 degrees of horizontal vision in one or both eyes or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range. However, a license permitting the driving of <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicles<\/span> during a period beginning one-half hour after sunrise and ending one-half hour before sunset, may be issued to a person who demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/70 in one or both eyes without or with corrective lenses provided he demonstrates at least a field of 70 degrees of horizontal vision or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range, and further provided that if such person has vision in one eye only, he demonstrates at least a field of 40 degrees temporal and 30 degrees nasal horizontal vision or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range. <a id=\"paragraph-289318\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-311\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall not <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> a <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license or learner&#8217;s permit to any person authorizing the driving of a commercial <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> as defined in the Virginia Commercial <span class=\"dictionary\">Driver<\/span>&#8217;s License Act (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Title\" href=\"\/46.2-341.1\/\">46.2-341.1<\/a> et seq.) unless he demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/40 in each eye and at least a field of 140 degrees of horizontal vision or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range. <a id=\"paragraph-289319\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-311\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> Every person applying to renew a <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license and required to be reexamined as a prerequisite to the renewal of the license, shall: <a id=\"paragraph-289320\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-311\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Appear before a license examiner of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> to demonstrate his visual acuity and horizontal field of vision, or <a id=\"paragraph-289321\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-311\/#C1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Accompany his application with a report of such examination made within 90 days prior thereto by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. <a id=\"paragraph-289322\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-311\/#C2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> The test of horizontal visual fields made by license examiners of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall be performed at thirty-three and one-third centimeters with a 10 millimeter round white test <span class=\"dictionary\">object<\/span> or may, at the discretion of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span>, be performed with electronic or other devices designed for the purpose of testing visual acuity and horizontal field of vision. The report of examination of visual acuity and horizontal field of vision made by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shall have precedence over an examination made by a license examiner of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> in administrative determination as to the issuance of a license to drive. Any such report may, in the discretion of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span>, be referred to a medical advisory board or to the State Health <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span> for evaluation. <a id=\"paragraph-289323\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-311\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of this section, any person who is licensed to drive any <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> may, on special application to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span>, be licensed to drive any vehicle, provided the operation of the vehicle would not unduly endanger the public safety, as determined by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span> may <span class=\"dictionary\">waive<\/span> the vision requirements of subsection B for any commercial <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license applicant who either (i) is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations but is exempt from the vision standards of 49 C.F.R. Part 391 or (ii) is not required to meet the vision standards specified in 49 C.F.R. &#xA7; 391.41 of the regulations.\n\t\t\tIn <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> to determine whether such a <span class=\"dictionary\">waiver<\/span> would unduly endanger the public safety, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span> shall require such commercial <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license applicant to submit a special <span class=\"dictionary\">waiver<\/span> application and to provide all medical information relating to his vision that may be requested by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> may require such commercial <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license applicant to take a road test administered by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> before determining whether to grant a <span class=\"dictionary\">waiver<\/span>. If a <span class=\"dictionary\">waiver<\/span> is granted, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> may subject the applicant&#8217;s use of a commercial <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> to reasonable restrictions, which shall be noted on the commercial <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license. If a <span class=\"dictionary\">waiver<\/span> is granted, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> may also limit the validity period of the commercial <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license, and the expiration date shall be noted on the commercial <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span>&#8217;s license. <a id=\"paragraph-289324\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-311\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPERSONS HAVING DEFECTIVE VISION; MINIMUM STANDARDS OF VISUAL ACUITY AND FIELD OF\nVISION; TESTS OF VISION (\u00a7 46.2-311)\n\nA. The Department shall not issue a driver&#8217;s license or learner&#8217;s\npermit (i) to any person unless he demonstrates a visual acuity of at least\n20\/40 in one or both eyes with or without corrective lenses or (ii) to any such\nperson unless he demonstrates at least a field of 110 degrees of horizontal\nvision in one or both eyes or a comparable measurement that demonstrates a\nvisual field within this range. However, a license permitting the driving of\nmotor vehicles during a period beginning one-half hour after sunrise and ending\none-half hour before sunset, may be issued to a person who demonstrates a visual\nacuity of at least 20\/70 in one or both eyes without or with corrective lenses\nprovided he demonstrates at least a field of 70 degrees of horizontal vision or\na comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range, and\nfurther provided that if such person has vision in one eye only, he demonstrates\nat least a field of 40 degrees temporal and 30 degrees nasal horizontal vision\nor a comparable measurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range.\n\nB. The Department shall not issue a driver&#8217;s license or learner&#8217;s\npermit to any person authorizing the driving of a commercial motor vehicle as\ndefined in the Virginia Commercial Driver&#8217;s License Act (&#xA7; 46.2-341.1\net seq.) unless he demonstrates a visual acuity of at least 20\/40 in each eye\nand at least a field of 140 degrees of horizontal vision or a comparable\nmeasurement that demonstrates a visual field within this range.\n\nC. Every person applying to renew a driver&#8217;s license and required to be\nreexamined as a prerequisite to the renewal of the license, shall:\n\n   1. Appear before a license examiner of the Department to demonstrate his\n   visual acuity and horizontal field of vision, or\n\n   2. Accompany his application with a report of such examination made within 90\n   days prior thereto by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.\n\nD. The test of horizontal visual fields made by license examiners of the\nDepartment shall be performed at thirty-three and one-third centimeters with a\n10 millimeter round white test object or may, at the discretion of the\nCommissioner, be performed with electronic or other devices designed for the\npurpose of testing visual acuity and horizontal field of vision. The report of\nexamination of visual acuity and horizontal field of vision made by an\nophthalmologist or optometrist shall have precedence over an examination made by\na license examiner of the Department in administrative determination as to the\nissuance of a license to drive. Any such report may, in the discretion of the\nCommissioner, be referred to a medical advisory board or to the State Health\nCommissioner for evaluation.\n\nE. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of this section, any person\nwho is licensed to drive any motor vehicle may, on special application to the\nDepartment, be licensed to drive any vehicle, provided the operation of the\nvehicle would not unduly endanger the public safety, as determined by the\nCommissioner.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner may waive the vision requirements of subsection B for any\ncommercial driver&#8217;s license applicant who either (i) is subject to the\nFederal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations but is exempt from the vision standards\nof 49 C.F.R. Part 391 or (ii) is not required to meet the vision standards\nspecified in 49 C.F.R. &#xA7; 391.41 of the regulations.\n\t\t\tIn order to determine whether such a waiver would unduly endanger the public\nsafety, the Commissioner shall require such commercial driver&#8217;s license\napplicant to submit a special waiver application and to provide all medical\ninformation relating to his vision that may be requested by the Department. The\nDepartment may require such commercial driver&#8217;s license applicant to take\na road test administered by the Department before determining whether to grant a\nwaiver. If a waiver is granted, the Department may subject the applicant&#8217;s\nuse of a commercial motor vehicle to reasonable restrictions, which shall be\nnoted on the commercial driver&#8217;s license. If a waiver is granted, the\nDepartment may also limit the validity period of the commercial driver&#8217;s\nlicense, and the expiration date shall be noted on the commercial driver&#8217;s\nlicense.\n\nHISTORY: 1968, c. 642, \u00a7 46.1-357.2; 1972, c. 502; 1980, c. 118; 1981, c. 194;\n1984, c. 780; 1989, cc. 705, 727; 2010, c. 18; 2013, cc. 165, 582; 2017, cc.\n121, 279.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}