Mississippi Permit Vision Test: 20/40 Standard and Form DE-26

You must pass a vision screening to get a Mississippi learner's permit. This applies whether you're applying in Jackson, Biloxi, Southaven, or any other Driver Service Bureau location statewide. The standard requires 20/40 or better with both eyes together and a horizontal visual field of 140 degrees binocularly. You can wear glasses or contacts to meet this standard.

Mississippi Permit Vision Standards

The Mississippi Driver Service Bureau (DSB) administers a mandatory vision screening at all permit offices. Bring corrective lenses to the Mississippi DPS office; forgotten glasses require a full return visit the next day.

Vision standards check two things:

• Visual Acuity: You must see 20/40 or better with both eyes together.
• Peripheral Vision: You need horizontal visual field of 140 degrees binocularly or 70 degrees temporal and 35 degrees nasal monocularly.

Most offices use a stereoscopic vision machine. You place your forehead against a rest and identify letters or symbols. The machine also flashes lights on the sides to check your peripheral vision.

If you have difficulty with the machine, you can request a traditional wall chart test. Wear your glasses or contact lenses during the test if you need them to see clearly.

If you pass using corrective lenses, your permit will be issued with a restriction requiring corrective lenses while driving.

Forgetting your glasses at the Gulfport office is a well-documented failure point. One applicant left glasses in the car-the clerk wouldn't pause the process-failed the vision test, retrieved the glasses, and had to return the next morning to pass. Always carry glasses on your person before entering; mid-process pauses aren't permitted in Mississippi.

Can you get a Mississippi learner's permit if you only have good vision in one eye?

One-eye vision does not create a simple automatic approval or denial rule on the public DSB pages. If the screening raises a concern, DSB can refer you to an ophthalmologist or optometrist using Form DE-26. The specialist records vision for each eye and gives a driving recommendation for DSB to review.

Next Steps After Failing the Mississippi Permit Vision Screening

If you do not meet the vision standards at the DSB counter, you will not get a permit immediately. The examiner will give you a Form DE-26 (Report of Vision Specialist).

You must take this form to a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist for an in-depth eye exam:

• Where to go: Any licensed eye care specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist).
• Exam cost: A full eye exam typically costs between $50 and $150 without insurance.
• Returning with results: Bring the completed Form DE-26 back to the DSB.

You cannot retest the same day at the DSB without an outside exam. If you simply forgot your glasses, you must return another day with them.

Complete vision details are available in the Mississippi Driver's Manual PDF.

What happens after an eye doctor completes Form DE-26?

Return the completed DE-26 to the Driver Service Bureau for review. The form lets the eye specialist recommend unrestricted driving, corrective lenses, daylight-only driving, or no licensing. Form DE-26 is valid for one year from the date it is completed.

Common Mississippi Permit Vision Test Scenarios

Understanding real situations helps prepare you for what to expect. These examples show common outcomes and practical lessons.

1. A 16-year-old applicant at the Gulfport DSB arrived for his 3:00 PM appointment but forgot his glasses. He failed the machine test. Because he needed a full outside exam to confirm his correctable vision, he had to reschedule his entire permit process for another day.

Pack your glasses or contacts the night before your appointment to avoid a wasted trip and rescheduling delay.

• An applicant in Jackson wore her glasses but still could not read the 20/40 line on the wall chart. Her prescription was over 5 years old. She received Form DE-26 and had to pay $75 for a new eye exam and updated lenses before returning.
• A student in Biloxi wore his contact lenses and easily passed the machine test, scoring 20/30. His permit was issued immediately with the corrective lens restriction, and he could begin his supervised driving practice.

Schedule a routine eye exam before your permit appointment if it's been more than two years. This prevents vision test failures and extra costs.

If you use progressive lenses, immediately ask the examiner for the wall chart test instead of the machine to avoid misalignment issues that cause false failures.

After passing your vision test, review your driving restrictions and understand the supervising driver requirements to start practicing safely. For test preparation tips, explore practice test resources before your knowledge test.