Prevention of Blindness Society...

DRIVING WITH LOW VISION

The first thing to realize is that the issue of driving with low vision is complicated. There are three different jurisdictions in the Washington area--each with a different set of driving regulations.

Below is a summary of the various laws:

In Maryland:

If your best corrected visual acuity is 20/40 or better, you may obtain an unrestricted license.

If your vision is 20/70 or better, you may obtain a restricted license (A "restricted" license allows driving between dawn and dusk with extra side mirrors.)

If your vision is between 20/70 and 20/100, you can apply for a license at the discretion of your eye doctor with or without a telescopic device, but you must undergo at least 20 hours of a driving program and training before you can take the test. Ask your eye doctor or low vision specialist more about this.

In D.C.:

If your vision is 20/40 or better with best correction, you may obtain an unrestricted license.

If your vision is 20/70 or better, you may obtain a restricted license.

If your vision is 20/100 or worse, no license is possible--even with telescopic low vision device.

In Virginia:

If your vision is 20/40 or better, you may obtain an unrestricted license.

If your vision is 20/70 or better, you may obtain a restricted license.

If your vision is between 20/70 and 20/200, it is possible to get a license if you use a telescopic device that can correct you to 20/70.

Confusing? Yes! Not only do you have to contend with all these numbers about acuity, but what are telescopic devices, where do you get them, and what about this training matter?

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