Section 1030.70  Driver's License Testing/Vision Screening

An applicant for an initial or renewal driver's license who is required to take a vision test shall comply with the following provisions:

a)         The Department shall administer the vision examination to any applicant who is required to take a vision screening. However, applicants who want to use any vision aid arrangement, other than standard eye glasses, or contact lenses shall submit a vision specialist report form, or in lieu of that form, an ophthalmologist or optometrist statement may be submitted. Any applicant using a telescopic lens arrangement must meet the requirements of Section 1030.75.

b)         An applicant who is required to take a vision screening must obtain a binocular (both eyes) acuity reading of 20/40 or better before being issued a driver's license without vision restrictions.  If an applicant utilizes corrective eye glasses, contact lenses or a combination thereof in order to obtain an acceptable acuity reading, a driver's license issued to this applicant shall be restricted to operating a motor vehicle while using the corrective lenses.

c)         An applicant who obtains a binocular (both eyes) visual acuity reading of 20/41 to 20/70 inclusive may be issued a driver's license restricting the applicant to operating a motor vehicle during daylight only.

d)         An applicant who uses eye glasses or contact lenses in binocular (both eyes) screening and has an acuity reading of 20/41 to 20/70 inclusive shall be issued a driver's license restricting the applicant to operating a motor vehicle while wearing the eye glasses or contact lenses during daylight only.

e)         A screening will be administered for each individual eye to determine the need for an outside rearview mirror.

f)         An applicant who obtains a monocular (individual eye) acuity reading that is 20/100 with or without standard eye glasses or contact lenses shall be restricted to operating a motor vehicle equipped with both left and right rearview mirrors.

g)         An applicant who is required to take a vision screening must demonstrate a total peripheral field of at least 140º binocular or 70º temporal and 35º nasal monocular.  If, an applicant only qualifies monocularly, the individual will be restricted to operating a motor vehicle equipped with both left and right rearview mirrors.  To qualify as monocular, the applicant must have a minimum total 70º continuous vision measured from the fixation point in at least one eye.  If there is a question as to whether this minimum is met, the applicant must submit either the results of a computerized vision test that indicates the applicant meets the minimum continuous vision requirement or the results of a driving evaluation administered by a certified driver rehabilitation specialist that finds the applicant safe to operate a motor vehicle.  An applicant who cannot meet the minimum peripheral field of vision requirements may submit a vision specialist report.

h)         If the applicant is wearing contact lenses, the individual shall not be required to remove those lenses to take the vision screening.

i)          If the applicant wants to remove the contact lenses in order to obtain an unrestricted license, the applicant may do so.

j)          If the applicant does not have prescription eye glasses or contact lenses in possession at the time of application, the applicant may proceed with the vision screening. If the applicant does proceed, but subsequently fails without eye glasses or contact lenses, the individual may return at a later date with the eye glasses or contact lenses to retake the vision screening.

k)         If an applicant obtains a reading without correction that would restrict the applicant to daylight driving only and/or left outside rearview mirror, the applicant shall be issued a license or instruction permit with restrictions, if the applicant has satisfied all other requirements for the issuance of a driver's license or an instruction permit.  If the applicant wishes to have the license or instruction permit issued on the basis of a vision specialist's report rather than the Secretary of State's vision screening, the applicant may submit a completed vision specialist report form to the Department.

l)          If the applicant returns at a later date with corrective glasses or contact lenses and successfully meets the vision standard, the restriction will be removed.

m)        The appropriate fee will be required to change a restriction if the permanent driver's license has been or is in the process of being issued. If the applicant has not yet successfully completed the road test portion of the examination, no fee is required to change the restriction.

n)         An applicant may submit a current and favorable vision specialist report form if the individual fails the vision screening or does not wish to accept a certain driving restriction.

1)         If the vision specialist has indicated a different acuity reading or peripheral field reading from the reading obtained at the facility, the vision specialist report will supersede the facility readings, even if it means the addition or deletion of restrictions.

2)         The vision specialist may indicate the driver's eyesight condition is deteriorating or warrants monitoring by recommending periodic re-examination of the driver's eyesight on the vision specialist report form.  The Department must follow the recommendation of the vision specialist.  Routine vision examinations requested by the vision specialist will not alone be a basis for the Department to request follow-up reports from the driver.

3)         The Department shall notify the driver of the requirement to submit an updated vision specialist report to be completed by the vision specialist and driver.  The driver must submit the completed vision specialist report to the Department within 60 days from the date of the Department's request.

A)        If a current and favorable vision specialist report is not received by the Department within the specified time, the driver's license shall be canceled or the driver shall be medically denied driving privileges pursuant to IVC Sections 6-103(8) and 6-201(a)(5).

B)        If a driver's license is canceled pursuant to this subsection (14)(C) and a favorable vision specialist report is subsequently received, the cancellation shall be rescinded, provided an unfavorable report is not received.

4)         If the Department receives an unfavorable vision specialist report, the Department shall cancel or medically deny driving privileges pursuant to IVC Sections 6-103(8) and 6-201(a)(5).

A)        The cancellation order shall remain in effect until the driver submits a favorable vision specialist report to the Department.

B)        Upon the termination of a cancellation under this subsection (n)(4), the person may reapply for a driver's license as outlined in IVC Section 6-106.

5)         If the Department receives an incomplete vision specialist report, a request shall be made for the necessary information required to process the report.

A)        If the Department does not receive this information within 45 days after the request, the Department shall cancel or deny the issuance or renewal of the person's driving privileges pursuant to IVC Sections 6-103.8 and 6-201.  Examples of an incomplete vision specialist report include, but are not limited to, omission of  the name, address, signature or professional license number of the vision specialist or the date, or contains illegible information.

B)        If a driver's license is canceled pursuant to this subsection (n)(5) and information requested is received that makes the vision specialist report acceptable, the cancellation shall be rescinded, provided an unacceptable report is not received.

o)         Every person who has a valid driver's license may be required to be re-examined at the discretion of the Secretary of State, as provided in Section 1030.15 and IVC Section 6-109, to determine if the licensee meets minimum vision standards.

p)         The Department shall require a driver to appear at a Driver Services Facility to receive a corrected driver's license if the visual acuity or visual peripheral readings warrant a change, the vision specialist recommends a driver's license restriction, or the facility representative issued a driver's license based on the vision specialist report with the wrong restriction pursuant to Section 1030.92.

q)         The Department shall provide two written notifications to the driver at the last known address indicated on the Department's driving record file.  The final notice shall state that failure to comply will result in the driver's license/privileges being canceled in accordance with Section 1030.15 and IVC Section 6-109(a)(5), provided a subsequent vision specialist report is not received from the same vision specialist indicating the restriction is no longer necessary.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 17324, effective November 15, 2024)