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Louisiana lets you drive with bioptic telescopic lenses under R.S. 32:403.5 if you have at least 20/200 vision in one or both eyes through your carrier lenses and at least 20/60 through the telescope, without field expanders. You also need 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved bioptic instructor and a skills test with a certified third-party tester. You can hold only a Class E license, restricted to daylight driving and to good weather, and you can’t ride a motorcycle or motor scooter. The daylight restriction can be lifted after a year if you reach 20/40 through the telescope and pass a night test.
Louisiana bioptic requirements
| Requirement | Louisiana rule |
|---|---|
| Carrier acuity | At least 20/200 in one or both eyes, with or without corrective carrier lenses. Worse than 20/200 (for example 20/300) does not qualify |
| Field of vision | 110 degrees horizontal; with vision in one eye, at least 40 degrees temporal and 30 degrees nasal |
| Through the telescope | At least 20/60 in one or both eyes, without field expanders |
| Eye report | Bioptic Telescopic Lens Vision Examination Form (DPSMV 2008) from an ophthalmologist or optometrist |
| Driver education | The 30-hour classroom course (ages 15 to 17) and/or the 6-hour pre-licensing course (18 and over), plus the written exams |
| Behind-the-wheel training | At least 30 hours with a Department of Public Safety approved adaptive/bioptic instructor |
| Skills test | A comprehensive driving skills test by a third-party tester certified in adaptive training |
| License | Class E only; no motorcycles or motor scooters |
What the eye report must say
Your ophthalmologist or optometrist completes form DPSMV 2008. It must certify that no eye diagnosis or prognosis exists, or is likely during the license period, that would take your acuity or field below the minimum standards.
Step by step
- Get the DPSMV 2008 completed by your eye doctor.
- Complete the required driver education course for your age and pass the written exams.
- Apply for a learner’s permit if you need one. The skills test is not required for a permit.
- Complete at least 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training with an approved bioptic instructor. The trainer sends confirmation on letterhead or a completion certificate, signed by the instructor who trained you.
- Pass the comprehensive skills test with a certified third-party tester. The results go to the Office of Motor Vehicles in a sealed envelope.
- Receive a Class E license with restriction codes 08 (daylight driving only) and 66 (bioptic lenses required).
The usual Louisiana learner steps also apply: see learning to drive in Louisiana.
Restrictions on a Louisiana bioptic license
- Daylight only (code 08): from half an hour after sunrise to half an hour before sunset.
- Bioptic lenses required (code 66).
- No driving in adverse weather.
- Any other restriction the OMV considers necessary.
Codes in general are explained in restriction codes explained.
How to lift the daylight-only restriction
You must meet all of these:
- licensed with bioptic lenses for at least one year
- at least 20/40 in one or both eyes through the telescope, without field expanders
- a comprehensive night driving skills test passed with a qualified third-party tester or adaptive bioptic trainer
- no license suspensions, revocations or at-fault crashes in the previous 12 months
Finding a trainer
The OMV policy lists approved third-party testers and adaptive bioptic trainers by name and location. Ask the OMV for the current list, as trainers change. Questions about your own eyes are for your eye doctor.
Compare Louisiana with other states in bioptic driving laws by state and the Southern vision rules. Similar statutes: Virginia and North Carolina.
All medical and disability topics: the 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
- Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of Motor Vehicles, “Policy 9.01 Bioptic Telescopic Lenses”, effective 15 August 2004, revised 25 November 2025 (powerdms.com/ladpsc)
- Louisiana State Legislature, “R.S. 32:403.5” (legis.la.gov), cited as the policy’s authority