DMV- My eyes are leaving me...barely passed. How long till next visit? (buying a house, buying)

[SierraCountyMtnBiker]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

According to the DMV website:

You will be referred to a vision specialist (eye doctor) if your vision does not meet the DMV's screening standard. You will be given a Report of Vision Examination (DL 62) form for your eye doctor to complete and sign. When you return to the DMV with the DL 62 form, your vision will be retested. You will also have to take a driving test to demonstrate that you can drive safely, even though your vision is impaired. Passing the driving test establishes that you can compensate for any vision loss caused by your vision condition.

The DMV will document your impaired vision condition. If your vision condition is determined to be stable or that it will not affect your unaffected eye, you probably will not be required to repeat the vision referral process again for your next driver license renewal.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1...t_facts/ffdl14

So, it sounds like as soon as you get that form signed by your eye doctor, you can retake the vision test and do the driving test. No waiting period required.

My mother in law has macular degeneration. When she was in the early stages, she failed the vision test, but then her optomologist prescribed special bioptic lenses (like this: Driving with Low Vision - VisionAware) and she took a driving with low vision driver ed class that helped her pass the driving test so she regained her license for a year. If you're eligible to retake the vision exam, you might discuss that type of class with your optomologist, as that's how my MIL found one in her area.

Eventually though, she had to just come to accept that driving was no longer safe or wise. It was pretty traumatic for her, but not as traumatic as being in an accident would have been.

Thank you Rosie, wonderful information. I appreciate the time you took to gather this for me.

I've already come to the conclusion when eyestrain is that bad, have hubby drive. So I have some time as driving is only required to and from, work. The backroads do not cause the eyestrain due to a lack of the traffic lights, highways and multiple signs, and cars.


Question has been answered so further conversing isn't needed.

[RosieSD]

Also, did your driver's license already have the notation that you required corrective lenses? If so, I believe they should have allowed you to wear your glasses while taking the vision exam.

This is also from the DMV site:

The DMV wants you to do well on your vision test. You can help yourself by being well rested and bringing your new glasses or contact lenses if your prescription has changed since your last renewal.

When it is time for your vision exam, the field office employee will ask you to read a line on an eye chart with both of your eyes open and then another line with each eye individually. If your driver license is already restricted for "corrective lenses," you may take the vision test wearing your glasses or contact lenses.

If you are wearing glasses and your driver license is not restricted, the employee will ask you to remove your glasses. The DMV does not want to restrict your driver license if it is not necessary.

[Social Democrat]

Originally Posted by saibot

Maybe rules have changed. Apparently you can now renew twice by mail/online (5 + 5= 10 years), but the third time (after 5 more years = 15 total) you have to go in to the DMV and take the test. If you're over 70, you aren't allowed to wait so long.

I was surprised my renewed license was for 5 years but I was only 69 when I had to renew in person! We'll see what happens next time, if I'm still around.

[LLCNYC]

So people who can barely see are being "passed"??? Wonderful.

And we can't complain about it?

If you kill someone, KNOWING you couldn't see, you think their family will "complain"?

[Crashj007]

Be sure and keep the thread up to date with your experiences, especially if you have an accident.

[SierraCountyMtnBiker]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

If you are wearing glasses and your driver license is not restricted, the employee will ask you to remove your glasses. The DMV does not want to restrict your driver license if it is not necessary.

This sentence dumfounds me. They want me to pass the test but make me remove my eye glasses. Hmm..
I have a prescription for eyeglasses, but I've never actually been able to wear them. They are for two problems which requires my eyes to have the strengh to look at certain areas of the glass in order to see.

I've found eyeglasses at goodwill work better. In fact so much better, I won't even bother going in again. It only means they'll pressure me to wear whatever prescriptions they come up with after the exam. That means taking two weeks off from work due to headaches just to appease them.

I am sorta on my own now with eye glasses. My insurance will not allow me to see an ophthalmologist

[saibot]

Originally Posted by SierraCountyMtnBiker

I have a prescription for eyeglasses, but never have I actually been able to wear them. They are for two problems which requires my eyes to have the strengh to look at certain areas of the glass in order to see.

Do you mean bifocals?

[SierraCountyMtnBiker]

Originally Posted by Crashj007

Be sure and keep the thread up to date with your experiences, especially if you have an accident.

I only drive to and from work on a remote road 2x per week. I go to work on Sunday afternoon and arrive back home on Friday morning. And occasionally drive in town but it's very rare. I am lucky to see two cars within a typical drive to and from, work.

So don't hold your breath

[SierraCountyMtnBiker]

Originally Posted by saibot

Do you mean bifocals?

no I wear just typical eye glasses. Yet they perform some multi function, I've forgotten the name of it

Last exam was about 5 months ago

I still need to go actually because the risk of macular degeneration and other eye diseases is high for me.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I don't know, you seem to be really pessimistic about this. I have to wear glasses, and my driver's license says I need corrective lenses. I've NEVER since I was 16 years old in CA, and I'm now 61, had to take a test without my contacts or eyeglasses on.

So, you either got some inept DMV worker, or you're just determined to not have to take this test with eyeglasses, or go through whatever procedure is necessary to get things straightened out.

But, this absolutely can be straightened out. If you can pass a test with corrective lenses.

If you choose to find reasons why you can't get a prescription, which is really what it sounds like - when you've said that you can buy over-the-counter glasses that correct your vision - then you're just, as they say, creating a self-fulfilling prophesy.

So, really get over it, and do what you need to do to get a prescription that will enable you to pass the test. Or accept your supposed fate and quit whining about it.