Thirty-eight (38) states allow qualifying individuals with low vision to drive with the aid of bioptic telescopic lenses. A Bioptic is a lens system with a telescope attached to a pair of glasses, above the normal line of sight. This allows a trained user the opportunity to detect objects or movement within his/her driving scene using the wide field of view available through the regular carrier lens and to view fine details such as road signs and traffic lights by glancing briefly and intermittently into and out of the miniature telescopic unit.
Each state has established standards to determine whether or not an individual is qualified to drive with the use of a Bioptic lens. In Oregon, for example, a person otherwise eligible for driving privileges and meets the following criteria:
- Visual acuity in the better eye with best lens correction that is no better than 20/80 and no worse than 20/200;
- Has no ocular diagnosis or prognosis that may result in deterioration of the person’s corrected vision below a 20/200 level of visual acuity;
- Has a visual field of at least 120 degrees horizontally and 80 degrees vertically; and
- Would be aided by using a bioptic telescopic lens when operating a motor vehicle.
The person must complete the following steps:
- Be examined by a vision specialist who completes a report to DMV showing the person's vision meets the criteria to be licensed under this program;
- Be fitted by a licensed vision specialist with a bioptic telescopic lens mounted on the carrier lens;
- Enroll in a rehabilitation training program offered by a specialist certified by the DMV to train low vision condition persons in the use of bioptic telescopic lens while driving;
- Pass DMV's written knowledge test;
- Be issued by DMV a special limited vision condition learner’s permit to be used during driver training;
- Submit to DMV a certificate issued by a rehabilitation training specialist certifying that the person has successfully completed a rehabilitation training program;
- Pass a DMV-provided drive test.
- The special limited condition learner's permit can only be used to drive with a certified training specialist as part of the rehabilitation training program.
- Every two years, the person must provide a new certification from a licensed vision specialist and pass a DMV-provided drive test.
- In addition to the requirements under this program, a driver under 18 years of age must meet all the requirements of a provisional license:
- A nighttime driving pilot program became effective January 1, 2008, and is scheduled until sunset June 30, 2011. The daylight only restriction will be removed when the person completes the following steps:
- Is examined by a vision specialist who indicates on a report submitted to DMV that the person's vision does not prohibit the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle at night; and
- Provides a certificate from a rehabilitation training specialist stating that the person has successfully completed nighttime training and can safely operate a motor vehicle at night.
- Is examined by a vision specialist who indicates on a report submitted to DMV that the person's vision does not prohibit the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle at night; and
Oregon Driver Education Center offers one of the state’s only bioptic training programs. As the first DMV Certified Driver Rehabilitation Training Specialist in Oregon, I have had the privilege of helping many individuals achieve freedom of mobility through this program. According to DMV records, individuals who have completed our course have maintained nearly perfect driving records! This is possible by teaching good visual searching techniques; good driving is about using vision effectively!
Once a person has been cleared by their low vision specialist, contact ODEC to enroll in our training program.
