South Dakota DPS Vision Test: 20/40 and 20/50 Screening Standards

South Dakota's instruction permit vision test is more specific than most applicants realize. The usual screening standard is 20/40 with both eyes together and no worse than 20/50 in either eye. These numbers are not an absolute bar to every restricted credential; DPS may require an eye specialist's statement and apply restrictions. Fail the screening and you leave with a referral form, not a permit. Bring your corrective lenses, arrive before the 4:30 PM test cutoff, and check your prescription is current before the appointment.

What Are South Dakota's Exact Vision Standards for a Permit?

For an unrestricted credential, the standard is 20/40 with both eyes together and no worse than 20/50 in either eye without corrective lenses. Meeting the standard with glasses or contacts adds a corrective-lenses restriction. Applicants below the screening standard may need an eye specialist's statement and other driving restrictions.

Can I Qualify If Only One Eye Meets the Normal Vision Standard?

You may qualify for a restricted credential, depending on the eye specialist's findings and DPS review. Meeting the unrestricted screening standard requires 20/40 with both eyes together and no worse than 20/50 in either eye. If you fail the screening, DPS requires an optometrist's or ophthalmologist's statement before you continue.

If updated lenses or an eye specialist statement resolves the issue, follow the examiner's instructions for the vision retest.

• Combined Standard:20/40 in both eyes together, with or without correction. Those are the usual screening thresholds; additional restrictions may apply after specialist review.
• Per-Eye Screening Standard:20/50 or better in each eye meets this part of the usual screening standard; it is not the only route to a restricted credential.
• Corrective Lenses:Glasses and contacts count. Wear them during the screening. If they are required to meet the standard, a corrective lenses restriction is added to your permit - making those lenses legally required every time you drive.
• Peripheral Vision:The DPS may check side vision. Restrictions based on an eye specialist's recommendation can be imposed beyond the acuity standard.

South Dakota DPS Vision Screening Process

The vision screening happens at the Driver Exam Station counter before the knowledge test. Bring glasses or contacts - a corrective lenses restriction is added to your permit if needed.

• Where:South Dakota Driver License Exam Stations - Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and all other locations.
• Equipment:A vision screening machine or standardized wall chart. The examiner runs the test, not the applicant.
• What to Bring:Your glasses or contacts if you use them for distance vision. The test is quick and determines whether Restriction B applies to your permit.

Test your glasses prescription at home before your appointment. An outdated prescription that fails the screening forces a reschedule and an outside eye exam cost - typically $50-$150 without insurance. Catch a failing prescription before the counter does.

At the Rapid City exam station, wait times regularly hit 40 minutes. Contacts dry out during long waits. One applicant failed the eye chart after their contacts dried out during the lobby wait - they returned two hours later with rewetted contacts and passed. Bring rewetting drops to every visit.

Complete South Dakota permit details are on the South Dakota permit guide.

What Happens If You Fail the South Dakota DPS Vision Test?

Failing the SD DPS vision screening sends you to an optometrist for a full eye exam before you can retest. A full eye exam costs $50-$150 without insurance depending on the provider.

• Referral:You receive a Vision Statement form (similar to Form DL-62) and a referral to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for a full eye exam.
• Outside Exam Cost:Detailed eye exams typically run $50-$150 without insurance, depending on the provider.
• Same-Day Retest:Only possible if you brought corrective lenses and simply forgot to wear them. Put them on and ask to retest immediately. If you need a new prescription, you must get the exam first and return another day.

A Sioux Falls applicant scored 20/50 during the screening - which would fall short of the 20/40 combined-eye standard, but not the stated 20/50 per-eye standard. They received the Vision Statement form, visited an optometrist for a $75 exam, got a new prescription, and passed the retest the following week. The key is completing the Vision Statement form completely at the optometrist's office before leaving - a form with missing information means another appointment delay at the SD DPS counter.

An Aberdeen applicant with 20/70 vision in their better eye, even fully corrected, was not issued a permit. The DPS advised consulting a low-vision specialist to explore whether a bioptic telescope setup and additional DPS review could qualify them for restricted licensing.

Vision-Related Permit Restrictions in South Dakota

Pass with corrective lenses and a corrective lenses restriction is added to your permit - making those lenses legally required every time you drive. The Vision Statement form is valid for one year.

• Restriction B:Required corrective lenses. Remove this later by presenting a Vision Statement form from your eye doctor confirming 20/40 uncorrected vision, then retesting and paying a $20 duplicate permit fee.
• After LASIK or Vision Surgery:Have your eye doctor complete the Vision Statement form confirming uncorrected 20/40 before you leave the office. Take it to an exam station and retest.
• Instruction Permit Fee:$38, paid at the exam station on the day you pass. The Vision Statement form is valid for one year from the date of the eye exam.

For full South Dakota permit application rules, fees, and what to bring on test day, see the South Dakota Learner's Permit guide on shoro.ai.