Washington DOL Vision Test: 20/40 Rule and Restriction B

You must pass a vision screening to get a Washington instruction permit. The state sets specific standards you need to meet.

The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) tests your eyesight during every permit application. No exceptions. If you can't see well enough, you won't drive: simple as that.

What Are the Vision Standards for a Washington Instruction Permit?

The DOL requires minimum visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye, 110 degrees of peripheral vision, and the ability to distinguish traffic signal colors. Fall short on any one of these and your application stops.

• Visual Acuity: At least 20/40 in one or both eyes, with or without corrective lenses
• Peripheral Vision: Horizontal field of view of at least 110 degrees
• Color Recognition: Must distinguish red, green, and amber signals

Depth perception gets tested but won't fail you. For complete details on Washington vision requirements, review the full standards before your appointment.

Getting a Washington Permit With Vision in Only One Eye

Washington rules do not publish a separate automatic pass rule based only on having one good eye. DOL looks at combined visual acuity and any significant visual limitation. If combined acuity is worse than 20/40 or another significant vision problem appears, DOL can require an examination by a vision professional.

If You Pass the Acuity Test but Have Another Vision Problem

Passing the letter-chart portion does not end the review if DOL sees another significant visual limitation. Washington rules allow DOL to require an eye examination and, when needed, a reexamination before deciding whether restrictions or other action are required.

Will Washington DOL Issue a Permit If You Wear Glasses or Contacts?

Yes. Wear your corrective lenses during the DOL vision screening. If you pass while wearing them, your permit gets issued with Restriction B.

• You must wear your glasses or contacts during the screening
• Passing with lenses means Restriction B goes on your permit
• Driving without required lenses is a traffic infraction with a fine

Washington's VISION TEST FAILED rule catches people off guard. At the Spokane DOL, a contact lens prescription had quietly expired: no longer correcting adequately. Failed the vision screening on the spot; a new eye exam was needed before returning within 2 weeks. Check your lens prescription expiry before booking any Washington DOL appointment.

How Does the Washington DOL Vision Screening Actually Work?

Vision screening happens at all Washington DOL driver licensing offices during your permit application. The whole test takes about two minutes.

1. You'll use a vision test at Washington DOL for permit applicantsing machine (orthorater) or read a Snellen wall chart
2. The test checks acuity (reading letters), peripheral vision (seeing flashing lights on the sides), and color recognition
3. Results get logged immediately: pass and you proceed, fail and you receive a Vision Examination Report

A 16-year-old at the Tacoma DOL office wore her contact lenses. She read the 20/40 line clearly, identified the peripheral flashes, and walked out with her permit plus Restriction B. Minors need a signed parent/guardian consent form in addition to passing the vision test.

An applicant at the Spokane office failed initially, reading only the 20/60 line. The clerk handed him the official form. He grabbed his glasses from his car, returned the same day, read the 20/30 line, and passed with Restriction B.

Another applicant at the Seattle Downtown office measured only 95 degrees of peripheral vision. She failed and couldn't retest that day. A full eye exam from an optometrist was required to complete the Vision Examination Report.

Before your visit, review the Washington Driver Guide and try the DOL practice test so you're ready for the knowledge exam too. Gather your required documents ahead of time.

What Happens After You Fail the Washington DOL Vision Screening?

Failing stops your permit application. You'll need an outside eye exam before returning to the DOL.

• Where to go: Visit a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for a detailed exam
• Cost: Exams run $50 to $150 without insurance, depending on provider
• Same-day retest: Only allowed if you failed because you weren't wearing your corrective lenses and have them with you: peripheral or acuity failures with lenses require a specialist visit

The eye doctor must complete the DOL's Vision Examination Report. Return this form to any licensing office within 90 days of the doctor's signature.

if your vision is borderline, get an eye exam before you go to the DOL. It's cheaper than wasting a trip and having to schedule another appointment anyway.

Schedule your DOL appointment for early morning. If you fail the screening and need an outside exam, you'll have time to call local optometrists for same-day availability.

Retaking the Washington DOL Vision Screening the Same Day

Washington's published vision rule does not guarantee a same-day retest. If DOL refers you for an outside eye examination or reexamination, follow that instruction before returning instead of assuming the office can simply repeat the screening.

Returning a Completed Vision Examination Report to DOL

Follow the return instructions DOL gives you with the vision referral. The state rule requires the additional eye examination or reexamination when the screening shows a qualifying problem, but it does not publish one universal submission method for every vision case.