Vision and Driving

Our doctors have worked with thousands of patients whose vision may interfere with their ability to obtain a driver's license. Our doctors evaluate patients and work closely with the BMV to help those who have slight to moderate vision loss obtain licensure in Indiana. Our doctors also help those who are visually impaired from a variety of conditions like Albinism, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, Stargardt's, Achromatopsia and many other conditions learn how to use a special telescope mounted above glasses to drive. This is called bioptic driving.

Regular Licensure in Indiana

People who have 20/40 vision in one or both eyes will not have any restrictions in her vision.

If a people have 20/50 in one eye and 20/70 to blind, the BMV requires glasses, outside mirrors and daylight driving only.

If the patient has 20/70 in both eyes, the BMV requirements to drive are glasses, outside mirrors, daylight driving only, and normal peripheral visual field.

CDL Licensure

CDL licensure requirements are much stricter than regular licensure.  Vision must be at least 20/40 acuity  in each eye with or without correction and at least 70 degrees peripherally in the horizontal meridian
measured in each eye.

Waivered Licenses

Our doctors work with hundreds of patients each year who suffer from mild vision loss from macular degeneration and other mild conditions  and we are able to help them drive daytime only. Our doctors assess your vision and ocular health as well as your peripheral visual fields and determine if you are a candidate for this program. If you have adequate vision and peripheral visual fields. Information will be sent to the state BMV and you will have to pass a behind-the-wheel test in your hometown with a supervisor from the BMV. Once licensed under this program, you are required to have yearly eye examinations submitted to the BMV to keep your license.

Bioptic Licensure

Most states around the country have special programs where a driver uses a telescope to spot traffic light, brake lights and street signs while they are driving. This is called bioptic driving and our doctors have helped hundreds of visually impaired patients become bioptic drivers. In Indiana if you have 20/200 vision or better in one eye, normal peripheral visual fields and 20/40 vision when using the telescope. For more information on bioptic driving, visit our website www.biopticdrivingusa.com .