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Southern states mostly ask for 20/40 vision in at least one eye for a license with no vision restriction, with glasses or contacts allowed. Georgia is the exception at 20/60 with a 140-degree field. Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky and Virginia also publish field standards, and Kentucky and Virginia set out routes for drivers below the usual line. This guide covers Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, with each state’s bioptic status.
For the basics (what 20/40 means and what happens if you fail), start with the vision test by state guide.
Southern vision standards, state by state
| State | Acuity standard | Field of vision | Lower-vision options | Bioptic telescopes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Screening at the permit visit; check the figure with ALEA | Check with the state | Fail and you bring an eye specialist’s report to the examiner; if it shows you see well enough, you continue | Can’t be used to meet the standard (Ala. Admin. Code r. 760-X-20-.14) |
| Arkansas | 20/40 without lenses for no restriction | 140 degrees with two eyes, 105 with one | At least 20/70 corrected for a lens-restricted license | Conflicting reports; check with the state |
| Florida | 20/40 in each eye passes; worse is referred to an eye specialist. One eye blind or 20/200: the other must be 20/40 (FLHSMV handbook, 2020 edition) | At least 130 degrees | After referral, 20/70 in either or both eyes may pass if the worse eye is better than 20/200. Vision test required for every applicant, including transfers | Can’t be used to meet the standard (Fla. Admin. Code 15A-5.011) |
| Georgia | 20/60 in at least one eye, with or without glasses | 140 degrees | Check with the state | Allowed: 20/60 through the telescope (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 375-3-5-.08) |
| Kentucky | 20/40 to move on to the written test; 20/60 or better in at least one eye to drive | 35 degrees to each side and 25 degrees above and below fixation | Below 20/40: eye exam; 20/60 or better makes you eligible to test, with a lens restriction if prescribed | Allowed; see the Kentucky guide |
| Louisiana | 20/40 in one or both eyes | Check with the state | Check with the state | Allowed; see the Louisiana guide |
| Mississippi | Check with the state | Check with the state | Check with the state | Allowed: limited 1-year license (Miss. Code 63-1-34.1); check figures with DPS |
| North Carolina | 20/40 in at least one eye for no restriction | Check with the state | Worse than 20/40 in either eye or both: corrective lens restriction | Allowed; see the North Carolina guide |
| South Carolina | 20/40 corrected in one eye (minimum standard); screening at your first permit or license | Check with the state | Vision certificates are valid for 36 months | Allowed by statute (S.C. Code 56-1-222); bioptic users file Form 412-LV (Low Vision Acuity Screening) with SCDMV Driver Improvement every year |
| Tennessee | 20/40 in each eye and with both eyes together, with or without lenses | Check with the state | If new lenses will bring you to 20/40, come back once you have them | Allowed; see the Tennessee guide |
| Virginia | 20/40 in one or both eyes | 110 degrees horizontal | Daylight-only possible with at least 20/70 and 70 degrees | Allowed by statute; see the Virginia guide |
| West Virginia | 20/40 in at least one eye, with or without lenses | Check with the state | Check with the state | Allowed: Class G bioptic license and training program (W. Va. Code 17B-2B) |
Where a cell says “check with the state”, ask the state licensing agency for the figure before your appointment.
Daylight-only and restricted licenses in the South
- Virginia is the clearest: a daylight-only license may be issued with 20/70 and a 70-degree field.
- Arkansas splits licenses into unrestricted (20/40 without lenses) and lens-restricted (at least 20/70 corrected).
- Kentucky lets you test with 20/60 or better after an eye exam.
Restrictions show as codes on your license: see restriction codes explained.
Bioptic telescopes in the South
Four Southern states publish bioptic rules on official pages (Kentucky in its driver manual). Confirm the details with the state:
- Virginia: 20/200 through the carrier lenses and 20/70 through the telescope, daylight only at first.
- North Carolina: 20/200 through the carrier lenses and 20/70 through the telescope, daylight only at first.
- Louisiana: 20/200 through the carrier lenses and 20/60 through the telescope, with 30 hours of training.
- Kentucky: runs a road test over a route designed for bioptic use.
Georgia and Tennessee also set bioptic rules (20/60 through the telescope). Alabama and Florida don’t let the telescope count toward the vision standard. Arkansas is still unconfirmed. Full table: bioptic driving laws by state.
Is vision checked again at renewal?
Renewal screening rules vary by state. Check your renewal notice, and expect a screening when you renew in person.
Before your permit appointment
- Bring and wear the glasses or contacts you drive in.
- Bring any eye report your state asked for, fully completed.
- Ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist about your own vision. This guide covers licensing rules only.
Other regions: Northeast, Midwest, West. All medical topics: US guide to driving with a medical condition or disability.
Want to practise the eyesight check? Our sister site Driving Eyesight Test has a free US letter chart on drivingeyesighttest.com. It is a practice screen, not an eye test.
Sources
- Bioptic column: the state rule, statute or form cited in each row (full list in the bioptic driving laws by state guide)
- Virginia General Assembly, “Code of Virginia sections 46.2-311 and 46.2-312” (law.lis.virginia.gov)
- North Carolina General Assembly, “G.S. 20-7” (ncleg.gov)
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Policy 9.01 Bioptic Telescopic Lenses” (powerdms.com/ladpsc)
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Alabama Driver Manual” (alea.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Drivers Manual” (dds.georgia.gov)
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “Kentucky Driver Manual” (drive.ky.gov)
- Florida HSMV, “Official Florida Driver License Handbook” (rev. 05/22/2020) (flhsmv.gov)
- South Carolina DMV, “Driver’s License Manual” (2026) (scdmvonline.com)
- Tennessee Department of Safety, “Comprehensive Driver License Manual” (information as of July 1, 2022) (tn.gov/safety)
- Driver manuals and licensing pages of Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina and West Virginia (official state domains)