Florida Driver License Vision Test Requirement (2026): Minimum Vision Standards

TLDR Florida's minimum vision standard to hold a driver license is 20/70 in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses. In a standard DMV screening you need to read at 20/40 or better to pass without restriction. Drivers who test 20/50 or worse are referred to an eye specialist (Form HSMV 72010), and if one eye is blind the other must be 20/40 or better.

Facts verified against official Florida sources, updated August 2026.

What Is the Florida Vision Standard for a Driver License?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) sets vision standards in the Florida Administrative Code (Rules 15A-5.011 and 15A-1.013). You do not need perfect vision - the state licenses drivers with corrected and, in some cases, uncorrected visual acuity as low as 20/70. The table below shows how acuity maps to licensing outcomes.

Florida Vision Standards Table

Florida also requires a minimum field of vision of 130 degrees, and telescopic lenses do not count toward meeting the standard.

What Happens If You Do Not Meet the Standard?

If your screening shows 20/50 or worse in either eye, the FLHSMV refers you to an eye specialist. The specialist completes a Report of Eye Examination (Form HSMV 72010) and returns it to the department, which then decides whether to issue a license with restrictions (for example, corrective lenses, daylight-only driving, or side mirrors). Drivers over 80 may need the FLHSMV Vision Examination Form 72119 as part of renewal.

Step-by-Step: How to Pass the Florida Vision Test

1. Bring your glasses or contacts: The test is taken with or without corrective lenses, so wear what you normally use to drive.
2. Take the screening: At a FLHSMV office or tax collector, you read a standard eye chart at the required distance.
3. Pass at 20/40 or better: If you reach 20/40 in at least one eye, you pass the standard screening.
4. Referral if 20/50 or worse: If you test at 20/50 or worse, you will be given Form HSMV 72010 for an eye specialist.
5. Accept any restriction: If you need lenses to pass, your license is issued with a "corrective lenses" restriction that requires you to wear them whenever you drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need 20/20 vision to drive in Florida?

No. The standard screening requires 20/40 or better in at least one eye with or without corrective lenses, and the minimum to be licensed at all is 20/70.

What is the vision requirement for a Florida driver's license?

At least 20/70 vision in at least one eye with or without corrective lenses. If one eye is blind (20/200 or worse), the other eye must be 20/40 or better. A minimum field of vision of 130 degrees is also required.

What happens if you fail the Florida vision test?

Testing 20/50 or worse triggers a referral to an eye specialist with Form HSMV 72010. Testing 20/80 or worse in both eyes when neither can be improved means you cannot be licensed.

What if I wear glasses or contacts?

Bring them. You are tested with or without corrective lenses, and if you need them to meet the standard your license will carry a "corrective lenses" restriction.

Do drivers over 80 need a vision test in Florida?

Yes. Florida drivers age 80 and older are required to pass a vision test at renewal, and may be asked to submit the FLHSMV Vision Examination Form 72119.

Start Your Course Now

Vision is just one part of the Florida licensing process - you also need a state-approved driver education course. First-time drivers under 18 take the 6-hour DETS course, and adults 18 and older take the 4-hour TLSAE course. Start your DETS/TLSAE course at LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com, ranked #1 by the Florida DHSMV and approved in all 67 counties. Visit LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com for the full Florida licensing checklist.

Citations

• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/medical-review/vision-standards/
• https://regulations.justia.com/states/florida/15/15a/chapter-15a-5/section-15a-5-011/
• https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/florida/Fla-Admin-Code-Ann-R-15A-1-013