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Drivers License Vision Laws in Colorado  By Douglas Christian Larsen  

Passing the Exam

• To pass the vision exam without glasses or contact lenses, an applicant must have 20/40 vision in at least one eye. As reported on the MD Support website for state vision requirements, applicants for a driver's license are also tested for double vision, also known as "phoria."

Corrective Lenses

• An applicant may wear glasses or contact lenses when taking the vision examination but will be required to wear the lenses whenever operating a motor vehicle, and this will be noted on the final driver's license as: "Rest. V." To pass the examination while wearing lenses, 20/40 vision in at least one eye is required.

Colorado Age Considerations

• As stipulated on the DMV.com website, when a Colorado driver turns 60 years of age, his driver's license must be renewed every five years, with a vision examination included as part of the renewal process. As with all other instances, 20/40 vision is the common denominator for vision requirements. After the age of 60, the driver's license cannot be renewed online or by mail.

Form DR 2401

• If a driver fails the vision examination, a Confidential Medical/Eye Exam Report (DR 2401) will be issued and must be completed by the applicant's eye-care specialist. The doctor must fully complete all vision-related portions of the form, and may also stipulate whether or not driving is prudent for the applicant. The doctor may also stipulate whether or not an applicant should be restricted to daylight driving, or only up to a certain speed, or within a certain radius of the applicant's home.

Bioptic Telescope

• Bioptic telescope lenses are allowed under Colorado law, but the full vision apparatus must be worn during the driving portion of the test. A Form DR 2401 must also be supplied by the individual's vision-care specialist. During the visual examination, the applicant must wear only the "carrier" lens without the telescope portion attached.

Read more: Drivers License Vision Laws in Colorado | eHow.comhttp://www.ehow.com/list_6157223_drivers-license-vision-laws-colorado.html#ixzz19WAUSBoL

Changes in Vision often happen so slowly, that they go unnoticed.

• You should have your eyes examined every 1-2 years.
• If you are having problems, go in early!  Don’t put yourself at risk for an accident!

Vision is comprised of:

• Eye health
• Clarity of sight at distance and near
• Eye teaming coordination
• Eye movement control (tracking and fixation)
• Visual perception (including visual memory, visual discrimination, figure-ground, visual closure, directionality, etc.)

SAFETY TIPS

1. KEEP YOUR EYEGLASSES UP-TO-DATE.
2. WEAR SUNGLASSES WITH UV PROTECTION.
3. USE YOUR MIRRORS.
4. ADJUST YOUR SEAT SO THAT YOU CAN SEE EASILY.
5. KEEP YOUR WINDOWS, MIRRORS, HEADLIGHTS, AND TAIL LIGHTS CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR.
6. AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT IN UNFAMILIAR AREAS OR IN BAD WEATHER.
7. MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS IN THE CAR.
8. DO NOT DRIVE IF YOU ARE DROWSY.

Driving Tips:

1. Driving takes attention – in a split second you may need to react.  Your eyes must look for warnings from the front, side, and back.
2. Driving takes proficiency
3. You need to know where the blind spots are in your car.
4. You need to travel at a reasonable speed.
5. You need to avoid medications and drugs that impair your driving ability.

Colorado

Driver licensing agency contact information	Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles Driver License Administration 1881 Pierce Street, Room 136 Lakewood, CO 80214 www.mv.state.co.us/mv.html	303 205-5646
Visual acuity Visual fields Color vision requirement Restricted licenses	Each eye with/without correction Both eyes with/without correction If one eye blind—other with/without correction Absolute visual acuity minimumAre bioptic telescopes allowed? Minimum field requirement None** Available based on doctor’s recommendations	20/40* 20/40 20/40 No absolute minimum acuity. The DMV will license any individual whom a physician/optometrist feels is not a danger. Yes None**
Standard Age-based renewal procedures	Length of license validation Renewal options and conditions Vision testing required at time of renewal? Written test required?Road test required?At age 61, renewal period is reduced to every 5 years; no renewal by mail at age 66+.	10 years If eligible, mail-in every other cycle Yes, at in-person renewal Only if point accumulation results in suspension No, unless condition has developed since last renewal that warrants road test.
Physician/medical reporting Immunity Legal protection DMV follow-up Other reporting Anonymity	Drivers should self-report medical conditions that may cause a lapse of consciousness, seizures, etc. Physicians are encouraged but not required to report patients who have a medical condition that may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. N/A No civil or criminal action may be brought against a physician or optometrist licensed to practice in Colorado for providing a written medical or optometric opinion. The driver is notified in writing of the referral and undergoes a re-examination. Medical clearance may be required from a physician, and restrictions may be added to the license. Will accept information from courts, police, other DMVs, and family members. Not anonymous or confidential

* Unless the customer is blind in one eye, individual eye acuity is not normally tested nor is there an individual eye minimum acuity requirement. The DMV is concerned with the acuity of both eyes together, unless the applicant is applying for a Commercial Driver’s License.

** Based on discussions with ophthalmologists and optometrists, the DMV does not currently test peripheral vision or color vision as accommodations can be made for these deficiencies. However, testing is performed for phoria.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/olddrive/OlderDriversBook/pages/Colorado.html

Colorado

All original and renewing applicants must take and pass a vision test. To pass the acuity test, applicants must have at least 20/40 vision in either or both eyes. Drivers are also screened for phoria (double vision), unless they have vision in only one eye. Applicants using bioptic telescopic lenses must attempt to pass the acuity test using only the carrier lens (and not the telescope). Drivers who fail the acuity or the phoria test must have a Confidential Medical/Eye Exam Report (DR 2401) completed by their vision specialist. The vision specialist is required to complete all sections pertaining to vision, indicate whether authorizing a driving privilege would be medically prudent, and recommend licensing restrictions that should apply. The eye specialist may check off any of the following restrictions, or enter a restriction not on the list: daylight driving only; not more than ___ mph; area radius ___ miles from home; right sideview mirror, or left sideview mirror. Bioptic lens users must also pass a drive test using the telescopic lens apparatus.

http://www.mdsupport.org/library/drivingrequirements.html#Colorado