DOT & CDL Driver Vision Exams
Vision paperwork for commercial drivers.
Truck, bus and other commercial drivers have to meet federal vision standards to keep their medical certificate. When your DOT medical examiner asks for an eye doctor’s report, or you need a vision evaluation to qualify under the alternative vision standard, our doctors can do the eye exam, the visual field and color vision tests, and complete the paperwork.
Walk in Monday through Saturday at any of our offices inside Visionworks across Tampa Bay and Sarasota, or book at our Odessa or East Lake office. Bring any forms your medical examiner gave you.
How it works
- Walk in or book. Bring your glasses or contacts, your DOT paperwork and any form or note from your medical examiner.
- Eye exam. We check your sharpness of vision with your best prescription and examine the health of your eyes.
- Visual field and color vision. A quick, painless test of your side vision, plus a color vision check.
- Paperwork completed. The doctor completes and signs the eye doctor report your examiner needs, and gives you a copy of your results.
The full DOT physical and medical certificate come from a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry. We handle the eye exam and the vision reports that examiner relies on.
If you don’t meet the standard in one eye
Drivers who can’t meet the vision standard in one eye may still qualify under the federal alternative vision standard. It starts with a Vision Evaluation Report (Form MCSA-5871) completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, which your medical examiner then uses to decide whether you qualify. New drivers under this standard also complete a road test. We can do the exam and complete the MCSA-5871 for you.
Florida driver license vision tests
Need your regular Florida license renewed, or failed the vision screening at the driver license office? See our Florida driver license vision test page, including the Report of Eye Exam (HSMV 72010).
Common questions
What are the DOT vision requirements?
Federal rules require at least 20/40 vision in each eye and in both eyes together, with or without correction, at least 70 degrees of horizontal field of vision in each eye, and the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals. Your medical examiner checks these during your DOT physical.
Do you do the full DOT physical?
No. The DOT physical and medical certificate are done by a certified medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry. We do the eye exam and complete the eye doctor reports and vision forms that your examiner asks for.
What is Form MCSA-5871?
The Vision Evaluation Report used for the alternative vision standard, for drivers who can’t meet the standard in one eye. An optometrist or ophthalmologist completes it, and your medical examiner uses it to decide whether you qualify.
Can I walk in?
Yes. Walk in Monday through Saturday at any of our offices inside Visionworks, or book at our Odessa or East Lake office. Bring your glasses or contacts and any paperwork from your examiner.
How long does it take?
Usually about 30 minutes for the exam, visual field test and paperwork.
Related: Florida driver license vision test · what is a visual field test? · our Visionworks offices
Rules and forms can change. See the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for the current standards.
Odessa (813) 926-5993 · East Lake (727) 242-8388