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Vision Screening Requirement

  • Drivers
  • Vision Screening Requirement
Drivers

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​SAFE DRIVING REQUIRES GOOD EYESIGHT.

 Starting ​January 1, 2025, vision screenings will be required for anyone renewing a Kentucky driver’s license.


This new requirement, passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2021, aims to enhance highway safety by ensuring all drivers maintain good vision throughout their driving careers. Regular vision screenings help identify any impairments that could affect a​​​​​ driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, protecting both the driver and others on the road.


​Kentucky joins several other states, including Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri, in adopting mandatory vision screenings for license renewals. The goal is simple: to ensure drivers have the visual acuity necessary for safe driving.

601 KAR 12:12​0E

​KRS 186.577


Be prepared to complete a vision screening when renewing your Kentucky driver’s license starting in 2025.
OPTIONS FOR DRIVER LICENSE RENEWAL

VISION SCREENING OPTIONS

New state law effective January 1, 2025.

OPTION 1

Vision screenings can be completed for free at any KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Office at the time of the license renewal.

Schedule a Renewal Appointment

OPTION 2

Driver may have a vision specialist or a KYTC Credentialed Medical Specialist perform a vision screening. If the driver passes, they may request a completed and signed form from the specialist to bring to their license renewal visit. Forms are valid for up to 12 months from the date of the vision exam.

Remember to bring your corrective eyewear to vision screening.



NEXT STEPS AFTER VISION SCREENING
VISION SCREENING FOR DRIVER LICENSE RENEWAL

IF YOU PASS

Proceed to
renew license

IF YOU DO NOT PASS


Renewal will not proceed and the driver will be instructed to see a vision specialist for corrective measures.

After receiving corrected vision, drivers must present a vision screening form signed by their vision specialist at any Regional office.

Proceed to renew license

Find a Regional office


RENEW EARLY
Kentuckians can renew their driver's license up to 180 days (roughly six months) before their card expiration date. It is strongly advised that they renew early should any corrective measures be needed while their license is still valid.

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​ONLINE/MAIL RENEWALS

Beginning January 1, 2025, forms will be accepted for online renewal applicants. Once available, the online renewal portal will provide more information. Those who wish to renew their license by mail must include the completed and signed Driver Licensing Certification form from their vision or qualifying medical specialist along with the mail-in renewal form.

RENEW ONLINE    RENEW BY MAIL

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​​WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO COMPLETE THE DRIVER VISION TESTING FORM?

In addition to the vision screening offered at no cost in all Regional offices, drivers may conduct a vision screening with their vision specialist or a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet credentialed medical specialist before their license renewal visit. Forms will be made available to licensed vision specialists or qualifying medical professionals.

  • ​A vision specialist is a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.

  • A Kentucky Transportation Cabinet credentialed medical specialist is a licensed osteopath, physician, or advanced practice registered nurse who requests special credentials from the Cabinet authorizing them to complete and submit vision screening forms accepted at Driver Licensing Regional Offices. To find out if your medical provider is credentialed, ask when making your medical appointment. ​


​​​​CAN MY DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST COMPLETE THE REQUIRED FORM?

Only medical providers who are Transportation Cabinet credentialed medical specialists may perform vision screenings to be submitted on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet form.​​

WHAT IF I RECENTLY HAD AN EYE EXAM?​

Vision specialists and Transportation Cabinet credentialed medical specialists may begin completing the form in January 2025. In 2025, you may call your specialist's office to ask if they can complete a form if you had an eye exam within the past 12 months. Specialists may request a Driver Vision Testing Certification form from the Transportation Cabinet if they do not have the form​. 


EXEMPTIONS

Any person renewing an operator's license under KRS 186.416 (referenced in KRS 186.577​) shall be exempt from renewal vision testing requirements. This includes

  • A resident of the Commonwealth currently serving in the United States military​ that is stationed or assigned to a base or other location outside the boundaries of the Commonwealth
  • The military resident's spouse or dependent

Active CDL holders are already required to complete a yearly vision screening as part of their Medical Examiner's Certificate to remain active. Therefore, they are exempt from this requirement.​

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIO​NS​​

Good vision is important for safe driving. To promote highway safety, a new Kentucky law (House Bill 439) was passed by the General Assembly in 2021 that requires vision screenings when renewing a driver’s license or instruction permit, in addition to the screenings performed by Kentucky State Police when applying for a permit or license for the first time or reinstating a license. Vision screenings will be required beginning January 1, 2025.​


Vision screenings are conducted at any Driver Licensing Regional Office at no cost or by any vision specialist or Transportation Cabinet credentialed medical specialist. If a vision screening is successfully completed by a vision specialist or Transportation Cabinet credentialed medical specialist, you will be provided a signed form to take with you when you renew your license or permit.​ The form is valid for 12 months from the vision screening date.

​No. You may request a vision screening when you renew your Kentucky driver’s license in person. While scheduling an appointment for a license renewal​ is strongly encouraged, walk-in customers are welcome and will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.​

SCHEDULE LICENSE RENEWAL​ APPOINTMENT​

Any applicant who does not meet the minimal vision requirement will be referred to a vision specialist or Kentucky Transportation Cabinet credentialed medical specialist of their choice. The license renewal will not proceed until the applicant returns with a form completed by a vision/KYTC credentialed​ specialist or retest with their corrected vision (and pass) at a Regional office.

​No. Only Kentuckians looking to renew their driver’s license privileges are required to conduct a visual screening starting Jan. 1, 2025.​

​The vision screening at Driver Licensing Regional Offices is performed at no cost to applicants. Vision specialists and Transportation Cabinet credentialed medical specialists will charge for their services.​
Forms will be accepted for online renewal applicants beginning January 1, 2025. 

More information will be available on the online renewal portal. at a later date.

​Yes, you may wear glasses during the screening.​

​

​​If you perform the screening wearing glasses, and a corrective lens restriction is not already noted on your license, it will be added to your license.


​We will accept the KYTC driver vision testing form completed by a vision specialist or Transportation Cabinet credentialed medical specialist if you have completed a successful vision screening within 12 months of your renewal visit.​

​A licensed osteopath, physician, or advanced practice registered nurse is eligible to apply to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to request special credentials authorizing them to complete and submit vision screening forms accepted at Driver Licensing Regional Offices.​

Vision screenings are still a requirement for first-time cardholders during written permit testing appointments. The test can be performed by Kentucky State Police staff, vision specialists, or Transportation-Cabinet credentialed medical specialists. ​​

​At this time, vision screening at Driver Licensing Regional Offices is only available to those who are eligible to renew their driver's license or permit.​

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

​​​​1. Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation

  • The​​ Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation provides vision services through education, detection, prevention, treatment, and empowerment. Through collaborative partnerships, we enable greater independence and increased quality of life for all Kentuckians while focusing on children and adults in financial need. The foundation is committed to filling the gaps that exist for many Kentuckians by providing affordable access to vision services. 

​​​2. Bioptic Driving Program

  • The Education and Labor Cabinet’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s (OVR) existing Bioptic Driving program helps eligible Kentuckians with certain visual impairments earn their driver’s licenses. Using a combination of regular eyeglasses and a small telescopic lens system, bioptic driving improves the driver’s distance vision, allowing them to meet the state vision test requirements to safely operate a vehicle.​

​​​​3. Kentucky Public Transportation Provide​rs​​
  • An easy-to-navigate directory organized by county to help customers find local services, schedule non-emergency medical transport, and learn how to become a provider. This serves as a one-stop shop for transit-related needs across the state. Explore your options for safe, reliable, and accessible transportation.​​