Nevada DMV Vision Test: 20/40 Cutoff, Restriction B, Same-Day Retest

Nevada requires 20/40 visual acuity in both eyes together for the DMV vision test and a field of vision of at least 140 degrees to pass the DMV vision screening for your instruction permit.

Nevada DMV's Vision Standards and How Is the Test Run

Nevada DMV uses a table-top optical screening device, typically an Optec 1000, at every testing center; you must clear 20/40 acuity in at least one eye before you proceed to the knowledge test.

• Visual Acuity: 20/40 or better in at least one eye for unrestricted driving privileges
• Field of Vision: At least 140 degrees of continuous horizontal vision
• Testing Equipment: Most offices use optical screening devices; Snellen wall charts are backup options
• Wear your prescription glasses or contact lenses during the test if needed for driving

The vision test is mandatory before taking the Nevada knowledge test. You must look into the machine and read letters or numbers clearly to proceed.

Can You Get a Nevada Permit If You Wear Glasses or Contacts?

Yes, corrective lenses earn you a Restriction B notation on your permit, which legally requires you to wear them every time you drive or face a misdemeanor under Nevada law.

• If you need corrective lenses to pass, DMV adds Restriction B (Corrective Lenses) to your permit
• Restriction B legally requires wearing glasses or contacts every time you drive
• Violating this restriction is a misdemeanor under Nevada law with citation penalties

The DMV doesn't distinguish between glasses and contact lenses. Both count as valid corrective lenses for Nevada vision requirements.

Nevada's same-day vision retest rule is one of the few applicant-friendly policies at the DMV. At the Henderson office, one applicant wore sunglasses instead of prescription glasses, failed the vision chart immediately. Retrieved the correct pair, returned same afternoon, passed. Bring your prescription eyewear to every DMV visit, no exceptions.

What Happens After You Fail the Nevada DMV Vision Screening?

A failed vision screening stops your permit application and triggers Form DP-18, a vision certification that must be completed by a licensed eye doctor before you can return to the DMV.

1. Schedule appointment: Contact a Nevada-licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist for full eye exam
2. Complete DP-18: Have the doctor fill out and sign the vision certification form
3. Return to DMV: Bring completed DP-18 within 90-day validity period to resume permit application

Once your eye doctor certifies your vision can be corrected to meet standards on the DP-18, return to DMV to resume your Nevada permit application.

Nevada Vision Test Outcomes: Common Failures and How to Avoid Them

A 17-year-old in Henderson arrived at the Water Street DMV for his scheduled appointment. He wore glasses but failed to read the 20/40 line on the Optec machine because his prescription was two years old. The technician issued a DP-18 form. He visited an optometrist on Sunset Road, got a new prescription, and returned the following week with the completed form to pass the re-test.

An applicant in Reno forgot her contact lenses for her 2:00 PM appointment at the Galletti Way DMV. She couldn't pass the vision screening without correction and was turned away without a DP-18 since she hadn't tested with her corrective lenses. She rescheduled her entire appointment, causing a two-week delay.

A new Las Vegas resident went to the Flamingo Road DMV wearing contact lenses during the vision screening. She easily read the 20/30 line, received her instruction permit immediately with Restriction B, and proceeded to take the Nevada knowledge test.

Here's the brutal truth: most permit delays come from outdated prescriptions, not actual vision problems. Plan ahead or waste time.

Nevada DMV Vision Screening: Tips Before Your Appointment

Bring your current prescription glasses to your DMV appointment even if you prefer contacts to avoid irritation issues.

• Get an eye exam before your DMV visit if it's been over a year to prevent failed screening costs
• Complete all sections of the DMV application form before arriving to avoid losing your place in line
• Review vision test details thoroughly in the Nevada Driver Handbook
• Check Nevada DMV testing hours before scheduling your appointment

For additional details about Nevada DMV vision testing procedures, visit the official testing information page. If you need to find your local DMV office for scheduling, check their online appointment system. After getting your permit, learn about the waiting period for your road test.