What Are the Vision Requirements to Legally Drive a Car in Georgia?

As an ophthalmologist, one of the most common questions I hear from patients—especially older adults or those with changing vision—is whether their eyesight meets the legal requirements for driving in Georgia. Safe driving depends heavily on good vision, and the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) has established clear guidelines to help protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.

Georgia’s Vision Standards for Non-Commercial Drivers

Visual Acuity:
To legally drive a non-commercial vehicle in Georgia, you must have at least 20/60 vision in one eye, with or without corrective lenses.

Field of Vision:

• If using both eyes (binocular vision): You must have a horizontal visual field of at least 140 degrees.
• If using only one eye (monocular vision): You must have a horizontal field of vision of at least 70 degrees temporally and 50 degrees nasally in that eye.

Corrective Lenses Requirement:
If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the minimum vision standards, your license will include a restriction stating that corrective lenses must be worn while driving.

Bioptic Telescopic Lenses:
Drivers who do not meet the 20/60 minimum acuity but have better than 20/200 vision may qualify by using bioptic telescopic lenses. This route requires specialized training and evaluations. It’s a more complex process but offers a potential path to licensure for those with significant visual impairments.

Additional Rules for Senior Drivers (Age 64 and Over)

Georgia requires drivers aged 64 and older to pass a vision screening every time they renew their license. This screening can be completed at a DDS Customer Service Center or documented using a Vision Report Form (DDS-MR-274) completed by a licensed eye care provider such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

The Vision Report Form (DDS-MR-274)

This form is used to officially document a driver’s visual acuity and field of vision. If a person does not pass the vision screening at the DDS center, they may be required to have this form filled out and signed by an eye care professional before a license can be issued or renewed.

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