Fast and Efficient Testing
Complete your vision exam in just minutes with no lengthy wait times or appointments required.
Local Eye Doctor Convenience
Eliminate the hassle of visiting the DMV. Our team ensures a seamless process from start to finish.
Direct Submission to NYS DMV
Enjoy peace of mind as we electronically transmit your results directly to the New York State DMV, expediting your license renewal.
Many Americans Need Vision Correction
According to a study from the Vision Council, the 2022 study revealed that over 79% of adults in the U.S. need eyeglasses, contacts, or laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery to see clearly.
The study also notes that 23% of American adults reported going 24 months or longer without undergoing a vision exam. Today, an estimated 12.2 million adults do not get the vision correction care they need to see better. For those who drive, uncorrected vision problems can put their lives and the lives of others in jeopardy, which is why many states, including New York, require individuals to undergo an eye exam at the DMV or have their eyes checked with a licensed optometrist or another vision care provider before they can obtain or renew a driver's license.
Why a Driver’s License Eye Exam Is Mandatory in New York
Most people struggle with temporary discomfort, dry eyes, headaches, or fatigue if they don't get needed vision correction. Over time, those struggles give way to eye strain, reduced visual acuity, and a heightened risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other serious vision problems. All of these can make driving dangerous.
For these reasons, New York is one of many states that require individuals to take and pass an eye exam to obtain or renew their driver's license. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), anyone looking to obtain or renew a driver's license must pass a vision test. The test must show that they have visual acuity of at least 20/40, based on the Snellen Visual Acuity Scale, in one or both eyes. That's either with or without eyeglasses or contacts.
New York State Laws Make Driver’s License Exams Easier
In all New York counties, including Massapequa County, individuals can take a driver's license eye exam at either a DMV office or with an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or optician enrolled in the DMV Online Vision Registry. Vision exam results are valid for 12 months following the exam date.
After a vision exam, individuals may receive an unrestricted driver's license, a license that requires them to wear eyeglasses or contacts when operating a vehicle, or a license that limits them to daylight driving only. Individuals with severe visual impairment may be ineligible for a driver's license.
The Benefits of Scheduling a Driver’s License Eye Exam
Apart from being more convenient and less stressful than going to the DMV, many benefits come with getting your eyes examined by a vision care professional when you are ready to obtain or renew a driver's license.
Comprehensive eye exams with a vision care professional can reveal vision problems that could lead to vision loss early. They can also help identify other health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. An eye exam at a DMV office would not identify these or other health issues.
To learn more about vision exams, including their role in allowing you to obtain or renew a driver's license, consider speaking with an Ultra Vision Optical Center vision care professional today. Along with providing a comprehensive eye exam, they can submit your testing results and application to New York State so that you can renew or obtain your driver's license.