Missouri Driving Law
GENERAL VISION INFORMATION: The standard minimum acuity required for an unrestricted license is 20/40 with either or both eyes. The best-corrected vision between 20/41 – 20/59 with either or both eyes shall be restricted to daylight driving only. 20/60 – 20/74 with either or both eyes shall be restricted to daylight driving only and a 45 mph speed limit. Anyone with best-corrected vision between 20/75 – 20/160 with either or both eyes shall be referred to the department for an examination to determine whether further restrictions should be required. The standard minimum peripheral reading is at least 55 degrees in each eye or 85 degrees in one eye. If you are unable to meet the vision standards as required, you may be denied a license, or restrictions may be placed on your license. If both your natural and corrected acuity vision are worse than 20/160, or your peripheral combined is worse than 70 degrees, you cannot take the driving test and cannot have a driver’s license.
BIOPTIC (TELESCOPIC) LENS INFORMATION: The use of a telescopic lens, whether monocular or binocular, is not allowed to meet the vision requirements to receive a license but may be used as a driver’s aid. The applicant must have a reading of at least 20/160, without the aid of a telescopic lens or lenses, to be eligible for a Missouri driver’s license. When the applicant is wearing a telescopic lens, the applicant will be referred to a vision specialist to obtain the reading through the carrier lens. Any applicable vision-related restrictions (such as Daylight Driving Only, 45 Miles Per Hour, Left Outside Mirror, Right Outside Mirror, etc.) would be based on the eye reading in the carrier lens(es). If the applicant has a telescopic lens (or lenses) mounted above the line of sight through the carrier lens of the glasses, the telescopic lens may serve as a supplement to the person’s vision. Under no condition can the telescopic lens(es) be used to correct the person’s vision in order to meet the licensing standard. The telescopic lens(es) may be used during the driving skills test. Drivers License Bureau, vision guidelines