Montana Permit Vision Requirements: 20/40 Standard, 140° Peripheral Vision and Same-Day Retesting

Uncorrected vision 20/40 or better in each eye or both eyes together allows Montana learner license permit without corrective lens restriction. Peripheral vision, depth perception, and color recognition tests are also mandatory.

Montana's Vision Standards and How the Screening Works

Montana requires 20/40 visual acuity in each eye or both together, at least 140 degrees of peripheral vision, passing depth perception, and color recognition for traffic signals at every MVD Driver License Exam Station. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division conducts mandatory vision screenings at exam stations in Billings, Missoula, and Kalispell. They use Keystone Telebinocular machines or Snellen wall charts.

• Visual Acuity: Requires 20/40 or better in each eye or both eyes together.
• Corrective Lenses Allowed: Wear glasses or contacts during testing. Passing with corrective lenses adds Restriction B requirement.
• Peripheral Vision: Must demonstrate at least 140 degrees of horizontal field of view.
• Additional Testing: Depth perception and color recognition for traffic signals are evaluated.

Testing follows Montana's official vision test rules with specific requirements for each visual function.

Glasses or Contacts: Pass With Restriction B

Wear your current prescription glasses or contacts to the Montana MVD appointment. Passing the 20/40 test with corrective lenses earns permit approval with Restriction B, which legally requires lenses whenever you drive. Montana allows permit issuance with corrective lenses. Wear your current prescription during the MVD appointment.

At Missoula MVD, glasses left at home meant the clerk wouldn't allow retrieval once check-in began. Failed vision test; returned the next morning with glasses and passed. Montana allows a next-day retest for vision, same-day retrieval mid-process isn't permitted.

• Present yourself with glasses or contacts at the testing station
• Meeting the 20/40 standard while wearing corrective lenses results in permit approval
• Your permit will include Restriction B, legally requiring corrective lenses while driving

A student in Bozeman forgot her contacts for her 3:00 PM appointment. She failed the screening, received Form 22-1801, and had to reschedule entirely, causing a two-week delay.

Failed the 20/40 Line: What MVD Does Next

Failing the 20/40 line at a Montana MVD exam station means immediate permit denial for that appointment. The examiner gives you Form 22-1801, which a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist must complete before you can return. Cannot read the 20/40 line means immediate permit denial. The MVD follows specific procedures for failed screenings.

1. Receive Form 22-1801 (Eye Evaluation) for completion by a licensed eye care professional
2. Schedule full eye exam with optometrist or ophthalmologist
3. Submit completed form showing corrected vision meets standards (20/70 or better minimum)

An applicant in Great Falls scored 20/50 on the MVD machine. His outside eye exam confirmed 20/30 vision with updated prescription. He returned with Form 22-1801 and passed.

Download the official Eye Evaluation Form 22-1801 to preview requirements before your exam. Additional Montana driver license forms are available for various permit situations.

Where to Get the Form 22-1801 Eye Exam

Any licensed Montana optometrist or ophthalmologist can complete Form 22-1801 for a full eye exam costing $50 to $150. Retail vision chains such as LensCrafters cannot perform the required 140-degree peripheral field test. Failed MVD screening requires professional eye examination from licensed practitioners.

• Licensed Providers: Any Montana optometrist (OD) or ophthalmologist (MD) can complete Form 22-1801
• Examination Cost: full eye exams range from $50 to $150 depending on provider and location
• Same-Day Testing: MVD policy requires the completed form for confirmed failures. Simple forgotten glasses may allow same-day retest

A common Missoula mistake involves visiting retail vision centers that only perform basic screenings. They cannot complete the required 140-degree peripheral field test, forcing a second trip to a full-service optometrist.

The peripheral vision test alone trips up plenty of applicants.

Avoid Same-Day Failures: What to Check Before You Go

Wear your everyday prescription lenses to the Montana MVD, not reading glasses or an old pair. Confirm your eye doctor performs the 140-degree peripheral test before booking. Book your MVD appointment at least three weeks in advance. Schedule your Montana MVD appointment online weeks in advance to avoid walk-in rejections and months-long waits.

Verify your eye doctor performs complete 140-degree peripheral field testing before scheduling to prevent Form 22-1801 rejection.

Bring current prescription glasses, not old pairs or reading glasses, to prevent automatic screening failure.

Review the Montana Driver Manual vision section for complete requirements before your appointment.

Consider visiting Montana's learner permit guide to prepare steps beyond vision testing. Review Montana driver restrictions to understand all permit limitations.