Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 39, March 25, 2024
Subpart 1.
In
general.
Every applicant shall submit to a vision screening or
examination. The purpose of the vision screening is:
A. to screen applicants to ensure that those
with insufficient vision take the steps required to achieve the best vision
possible; and
B. to deny driving
privileges to those whose vision is likely to interfere with the safe operation
of motor vehicles.
Subp.
1a.
Definitions.
The terms used in this part have the following
meanings:
A. "Visual acuity" means
acuteness or sharpness of vision.
B. "Visual field" means the area within which
an object may be seen when the eye is fixed.
Subp. 2.
Unrestricted/corrective lens
restriction.
The applicant, if otherwise eligible, will be considered for
an unrestricted driver's license or a driver's license with a corrective lens
restriction if the applicant meets the following visual standards:
A. visual acuity of 20/40 or better, with
either one usable eye or with both eyes, with or without corrective lenses;
and
B. visual field of 105 degrees
or greater in the horizontal diameter with either one usable eye or with both
eyes.
If the applicant needs corrective lenses to meet the visual
acuity standards or if a licensed physician or an optometrist recommends that
the applicant wear corrective lenses, the applicant must wear the corrective
lenses while operating a motor vehicle.
If a licensed physician or an optometrist recommends that
corrective lenses not be worn, the commissioner shall impose suitable
restrictions, if applicable, upon the applicant's driving privileges.
Subp. 3. [Repealed, 20
SR 2122]
Subp. 4.
Vision
examinations.
An applicant shall submit a vision examination certificate
from a licensed physician or an optometrist in a form as prescribed by the
commissioner when:
A. the applicant
disagrees with the results of the screening;
B. the applicant's vision cannot be
determined;
C. any court or police
officer has recommended that the applicant's vision be examined;
D. the commissioner has good cause to believe
that an examination is warranted;
E. the applicant has double vision;
F. the applicant's visual acuity is less than
20/40 with either one usable eye or with both eyes, with or without corrective
lenses; or
G. the applicant's
visual field is less than 105 degrees in the horizontal diameter with either
one usable eye or with both eyes.
An applicant's vision examination must have been conducted
within six months of completion of the vision examination certificate.
Subp. 5.
Restricted license; vision requirements.
If otherwise eligible, and subject to subpart
5a, an applicant will be
issued a restricted license to drive if the applicant has:
A. visual acuity of 20/50 or less corrected
vision with either one usable eye or with both eyes; or
B. visual field of less than 105 degrees in
the horizontal diameter with either one usable eye or with both eyes.
Subp. 5a.
Restricted
license; driving restrictions.
An applicant eligible for a restricted license under subpart
5 shall comply with the
applicable restrictions on driving described in items A to E.
A. Speed restrictions.
20/50 |
55 miles per hour |
20/60 |
50 miles per hour |
20/70 |
45 miles per hour |
B.
Restriction as to type of road. An applicant subject to speed restrictions
under item A may also be restricted to those roads having a maximum speed limit
equal to the maximum speed limit imposed upon the applicant, if the
commissioner determines that the restriction is necessary for the safety of the
applicant and the public. A person limited to a maximum speed of 45 m.p.h. or
less is prohibited from driving on any freeway, expressway, or limited access
highway that has a speed limit of more than 45 m.p.h.
C. Area restrictions. An applicant with
visual acuity of 20/50 or less corrected vision may be restricted to driving
within an area to be determined by the commissioner, if the commissioner
determines that the restriction is necessary for the safety of the applicant
and the public.
D. Daylight
restriction. An applicant with visual acuity of 20/50 or less corrected vision
may be restricted to daylight hours to be determined by the commissioner if the
commissioner determines that the restriction is necessary for the safety of the
applicant and the public.
E.
Equipment restriction. An applicant with a visual field of less than 105
degrees in the horizontal diameter with either one usable eye or with both eyes
must be restricted to driving with left and right outside rearview mirrors or
restrictions in items A to E, if the commissioner determines that the
restriction is necessary for the safety of the applicant and the
public.
Subp. 6.
Other situations.
When the applicant's visual acuity is 20/80 or up to, but not
including, 20/100 corrected vision, or when the applicant has any vision
readings or problems not covered by the above general standards, the
application will be referred to the driver evaluation unit, who shall determine
whether a restricted license can be issued and the kinds of restrictions that
are necessary to ensure that the applicant does not pose an unreasonable safety
risk to the applicant personally or to others.
Subp. 7.
License
denial/cancellation.
An applicant's driver's license will be denied or an existing
driver's license will be canceled under the authority of Minnesota Statutes,
sections
171.04,
subdivision 1, clause (11), 171.14, and 171.32, when:
A. the applicant has visual acuity of 20/100
or less corrected vision;
B. the
applicant is known to be receiving assistance for the blind;
C. the applicant has visual field of less
than 100 degrees in the horizontal diameter with either one usable eye or with
both eyes;
D. the commissioner
receives a recommendation from a licensed physician or optometrist that the
applicant's driver's license should be canceled or denied; or
E. the applicant fails to submit a required
vision examination certificate within the requested time period.
Statutory Authority: MS s
14.06;
171.04;
171.13;
171.14;
299A.04