Section 1030.75  Driver's License Testing/Vision Screening With Vision Aid Arrangements Other Than Standard Eye Glasses or Contact Lenses

a)         A vision specialist report form, when submitted by an applicant who uses a prescription spectacle mounted telescopic lens arrangement, shall contain the following statement:

1)         The applicant has been fitted for a prescription spectacle mounted telescopic lens arrangement that the applicant has in his possession at least 60 days prior to the current application date for a driver's license.

2)         The applicant has clinically demonstrated the ability to locate stationary objects within the telescopic field by aligning the object directly below the telescopic lens and simultaneously moving the head down and eyes up.

3)         The applicant has clinically demonstrated the ability to locate a moving object in a large field of vision by anticipating future movement by moving the head and eyes in a coordinated fashion and is able to locate the moving object within the telescopic field.

4)         The applicant has clinically demonstrated the ability to recall what was observed after a brief exposure, with the duration of the exposure progressively diminished to simulate reduced observation time while driving.

5)         The applicant has clinically experienced levels of illumination that may be encountered during inclement weather, or when driving from daylight into areas of shadow or artificial light, and the applicant is visually able to successfully adjust to such changes.

6)         The applicant has experienced both being a driver and a passenger in a motor vehicle, so that the applicant has practical experience of motion while objects are changing position.

b)         A driver, for an initial or renewal driver's license, who uses a telescopic lens arrangement or other vision aid other than standard eyeglasses or contact lenses must submit a current and favorable telescopic lens vision specialist report to the Department.

1)         A favorable telescopic lens vision specialist report contains a professional
opinion that the applicant is safe to operate a motor vehicle, the monocular or binocular acuity reading through the telescopic lenses is 20/40 or better in both eyes, monocular or binocular acuity readings through the carrier lenses is 20/100 or better in both eyes, the peripheral readings meet Illinois vision standards, in accordance with Section 1030.70, and with the lens arrangement in place and without the use of field enhancements, the applicant has used the telescopic lenses at least 60 days prior to the date the examination is completed by the licensed vision specialist and the power of the telescopic lenses does not exceed 3.0 X wide angle or 2.2 X standard.

2)         If a current and favorable telescopic lens vision specialist report is submitted, and the driver has satisfactorily completed the written requirements and has at least three years of licensed driving experience prior to the date of application, with or without the use of a telescopic lens arrangement, the driver must complete a road test accompanied by a Driver Services Facility representative designated by the Department with the telescopic lens arrangement in place.  Upon successful completion of the road test, a driver's license with the proper restrictions will be issued in accordance with Section 1030.92.

3)         If a current and favorable telescopic lens report is submitted and the driver has satisfactorily completed the written requirements and does not have at least three years licensed driving experience prior to the date of application, with or without the use of a telescopic lens arrangement, the driver must complete a traffic environmental screening with the telescopic lens arrangement in place.  This traffic environmental screening shall consist of four parts as follows:  stationary driver identifying a stationary object; stationary driver identifying a moving object; moving driver identifying a stationary object; and moving driver identifying a moving object.  Upon successful completion of the traffic environmental screening, an instruction permit shall be issued with the proper restrictions in accordance with Section 1030.92.  At the end of the six- month period following the date the instruction permit was issued, the driver's driving record will be reviewed.  If the record is void of any suspensions, revocations or cancellations, either in effect or pending, a road test by a Drivers Services Facility representative will be administered.  Upon successful completion of the road test, a driver's license will be issued.  If the record reflects any suspensions, revocations or cancellations, either in effect or pending, the driver will not be eligible for a road test until the driving privileges have been reinstated.

4)         If the telescopic lens vision specialist report is incomplete or not current, a request shall be made to the driver for the necessary information required to process the report.

A)        If the Department requests additional information from the driver and 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 driver's license/privileges pursuant to IVC Sections 6-103(8) and 6-201.

B)        If a cancellation order is entered based upon an incomplete telescopic lens report or one that is not current and a favorable telescopic lens vision specialist report is subsequently received, a rescind order shall be entered, provided an unfavorable report is not received.

5)         If the Department receives an unfavorable telescopic lens report, the Department shall cancel or medically deny the driver's license/privileges pursuant to IVC Sections 6-103(3) and 6-201(a)(5).

A)        If the Department receives a subsequent favorable telescopic lens vision specialist report, the Department shall rescind the unfavorable telescopic lens report cancellation order and allow the driver to make application for a new driver's license pursuant to IVC Sections 1-110, 6-106 and 6-109.

B)        Drivers who qualify to drive with the use of a telescopic lens arrangement shall be restricted to the following:

i)          Driving during daylight hours only;

ii)         Eligible for a Class D driver's license only;

iii)        Periodic review of the driving record by the Department in accordance with IVC Section 6-109.

6)         A current telescopic lens vision specialist report shall be submitted annually.

A)        If a current report is not received by the last day of the month the updated report is due, the driving privileges shall be canceled or a driver's license denied.

B)        If driving privileges are canceled pursuant to this subsection (b)(6) and a current report is subsequently received, the cancellation shall be rescinded, provided an unfavorable report is not received.

7)         A telescopic lens driver requesting nighttime driving privileges for the first time must:

A)        Possess a valid Class D driver's license with the proper restrictions and have operated a motor vehicle during daylight hours for a period of 12 months or held a telescopic nighttime training permit for 6 months immediately prior to making application while using vision aid arrangements other than standard eyeglasses or contact lenses.

B)        Have a driving record that does not include any traffic accidents that occurred during nighttime hours for which the driver has been found to be at fault during the 12 months before applying for the special restricted license.

C)        Successfully complete a road test administered during nighttime hours.

D)        Submit a current and favorable telescopic lens specialist report to the Department that contains a statement from the licensed vision specialist that the driver is safe to operate a motor vehicle during nighttime hours while using a telescopic lens arrangement.

8)         A telescopic lens driver wanting to renew nighttime driving privileges must:

A)        Have a driving record that does not include any traffic accidents that occurred during nighttime hours for which the driver has been found to be at fault during the 12 months before applying for the special restricted license.

B)        Successfully complete a road test every 48 months administered during nighttime hours.  If the renewal applicant refused to submit to a nighttime drive test, the applicant's nighttime driving privileges shall be canceled.

9)         If a driver with nighttime telescopic driving privileges is found to be at fault in an accident that occurred between dusk and dawn, or has been convicted or received court supervision for a violation of the IVC that occurred during nighttime hours, the nighttime telescopic driving privileges will be cancelled under IVC Section 6-201(a)(18).  The driver may reapply for nighttime driving privileges as outlined in subsection (b)(7) of this Section.

10)        A telescopic lens driver may apply for a telescopic nighttime training permit allowing, for a period of 6 months, the operation of a motor vehicle between sunset and 10:00 p.m. provided the driver is accompanied by a person holding a valid driver's license without nighttime operation restrictions.  The driver must:

A)        Possess a valid driver's license and have operated a motor vehicle during daylight hours for a period of 6 months using vision aid arrangements other than standard eyeglasses or contact lenses immediately prior to making application for the special training permit.

B)        Submit to the Department a current favorable telescopic lens report including a statement from the licensed vision specialist that the driver is safe to operate a motor vehicle during nighttime hours while using a telescopic lens arrangement.

C)        Have a driving record that does not include any traffic accidents that occurred during nighttime hours for which the driver has been found to be at fault during the 6 months before applying for the telescopic nighttime training permit.

11)        If a driver holding a telescopic nighttime training permit is found to be at fault for an accident that occurred between dusk and 10:00 p.m., the Department shall: 

A)        Notify the driver that the telescopic nighttime training permit will be withdrawn in 10 days.  The driver may continue to operate a motor vehicle during daytime hours only.

B)        Allow the driver to apply for nighttime driving privileges as outlined in subsection (b)(7).

12)        A telescopic nighttime training permit shall expire 6 months from the date of issue. 

A)        Upon the expiration of the telescopic nighttime training permit, the driver is restricted to daylight driving only.

B)        In order to regain nighttime driving privileges, the driver must:

i)          Apply for a new telescopic nighttime training permit by submitting a current and favorable telescopic lens specialist report to the Department that contains a statement from the licensed vision specialist that the driver is safe to operate a motor vehicle during nighttime hours while using a telescopic lens arrangement; or

ii)         Apply for full nighttime privileges as outlined in subsection (b)(8).

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 9020, effective July 1, 2024)