Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 83.3 - Visual standards(a)Driving without corrective lenses. A person with visual acuity of 20/40 or better combined vision may drive without corrective lenses. (1) If a person with visual acuity of 20/40 or better combined vision, however, has visual acuity of less than 20/40 in one eye, the vision in that eye shall be corrected to its best visual acuity.(2) A person with visual acuity of 20/40 or better combined vision and who has visual acuity of less than 20/40 in one eye, may drive without corrective lenses upon determination by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist that the person's combined vision would not be improved by the use of corrective lenses.(b)Driving with corrective lenses. A person with visual acuity of less than 20/40 combined vision shall wear lenses correcting combined vision to 20/40 or better while driving, except that if correction to 20/40 is not possible, the person may drive in daylight hours only if one of the following are met: (1) The combined vision has been corrected to 20/60 or better.(2) Visual acuity is less than 20/60 combined vision but at least 20/70 combined vision with best correction, but only upon recommendation of a licensed optometrist or licensed physician who has equipment to properly evaluate visual acuity.(c)Visual acuity of less than 20/70.(1) A person with visual acuity of less than 20/70 combined vision but at least 20/100 combined vision with best correction may apply for and may be issued a restricted license only upon recommendation of a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist or licensed physician who has equipment to properly evaluate visual acuity, and only if the following conditions or limitations are satisfied: (i) The person takes and successfully passes a complete vision examination, including plotted visual fields, upon application and annually thereafter.(ii) The person takes and successfully passes a driver's examination upon application.(iii) The person's driving privilege is limited to roads other than freeways, as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions).(iv) The person's driving privilege is limited to passenger vehicles weighing no more than 10,000 pounds, and excludes operation of a motorcycle.(v) If determined by the Department to be appropriate, the person's driving privilege is limited to driving within a limited radius of the person's residence as recommended by a licensed physician.(2) Violation of these conditions or limitations shall result in the recall of the restricted license. In addition, an annual review of the person's accident and violation history will be conducted by the Department and the restricted license may be recalled if the Department determines that the person was involved in an at fault accident or convicted of two moving violations committed within a 1-year period.(d)Visual acuity of less than 20/100. A person with visual acuity of less than 20/100 combined vision with best correction will not be qualified to drive.(e)Vision requirements. A person shall have a combined field of vision of at least 120° in the horizontal meridian, excepting the normal blind spots.(f)Sight in one eye. A person may be adequately sighted in only one eye and still meet the requirements of this section The person's driving privilege will be restricted to vehicles having mirrors so located as to reflect to the person a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear.(g)Telescopic lenses. Correction through the use of telescopic lenses is not acceptable for purposes of meeting acuity requirements.The provisions of this §83.3 adopted May 18, 1979, effective 5/19/1979, 9 Pa.B. 1631; amended April 11, 1986, effective 4/12/1986, 16 Pa.B. 1279; readopted April 19, 1991, effective 4/12/1991, 21 Pa.B. 1813; amended July 16, 2004, effective 7/17/2004, 34 Pa.B. 3718.The provisions of this §83.3 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1517, 1518 and 6103.