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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2020 - 07 - 03 - ID#hktrdk
9
What US states are more lenient on legally blind drivers? (self.Blind)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
TheChangelingPrince 5 points 3y ago
Wait what? I didn’t think you could drive if you were legally blind?
80percentaccurate 4 points 3y ago
She’s not legally blind. 20/400 without glasses. Legal blindness is after best correction, which for her brings her up to 20/70.
TheChangelingPrince -1 points 3y ago
I know what legal blindness is
MizzerC 3 points 3y ago
Legally blind doesn't impose any restrictions on most things. It's just a classification.

If you can still pass the driver's tests, why should they deny you? If it wasn't for them using backlit screens on their testing equipment or allowed for use of my sunglasses, I could pass it all and get my license back.
TheChangelingPrince 0 points 3y ago
I’m legally blind. 20/200 with correction. My partner taught me how to drive this year. I was able to drive around the city where I live. Never made it into the freeway though.

Went in to take the driving test. Easily passed the written part of it. Immediately failed the vision part that followed. And yeah, if the screen wasn’t backlit, or you didn’t have to look inside that little box thing to view the letter, I might have been able to pass.

I feel like I could have been to drive. Most sighted individuals that have a license are terrible at driving. Just the other day, I saw someone drinking a beer behind the wheel. It’s fine though
MizzerC 1 points 3y ago
I hated driving. Was able to do it from when I was 16 to 32. 35 now. The lack of immediate mobility when I want to get up and go somewhere has killed all motivation pretty much every day. Sure, I can adapt with shuttle buses and friends/family, but that isn't the same. I use it, but just.. Ugh.

I cannot begin to tell how many times I correct someone's driving, can pay more attention than them, and see far better than most at night. ( Often pointing out deer and the like ).

I know what virutally all signs look like and so forth because.. Again. Been driving for 16 years. I can see the vehicles and pedestrians, can see traffic light changes ( though I admit I would greatly avoid driving during day. )

I was technically still driving when I was declared legally blind, my license just expired. I could be driving still this very moment if that hadn't happened.

But nope. State is determined to have its tests completed their way, so I'm denied the privilege of driving ever again.

C'est la vie.
beighto 1 points 3y ago
You could move somewhere where the laws are less strict. Are you light sensetive? My wife uses heavily tinted red lenses that wrap close to her face, and she can see in the daylight with no issues. Without the glasses she can't see at all in the light.
saharacanuck 1 points 3y ago
In some US states you can do bioptic driving
psychgamer2014 5 points 3y ago
Here’s a site that has a list of all the vision laws concerning driving: $1. One thing I will point out that the listing here for VA is incorrect as far as I know. Last I checked, the cutoff for driving is 20/40 for an unrestricted license and no worse than 20/70 for driving at all. Almost all jobs here in VA require an unrestricted driver’s license, so that’s something to keep in mind as well.
SecTrono 2 points 3y ago
i had two different family members that eventually had to stop driving because they developed a disability. they were stubborn about it and kept driving for longer than they should have. someone could have gotten hurt.

-

i hate to be the guy to ask this but, considering the risks is she sure that driving is a good idea?
beighto 1 points 3y ago
That's what I tell her all the time. But she's a stubborn one. I don't know what 20/70 looks like so i can't judge. No accidents or tickets in 15 years of driving though.
nowwerecooking 1 points 2y ago
here’s an updated list from June https://eyewiki.aao.org/Driving_Restrictions_per_State#Non-Commercial_Driving_Requirements_per_State
CAHWY17 1 points 3y ago
yeah Washington State is similar to CA. I went Blind in WA and then moved to CA. In CA we have to get the eye exam every 2 years and do a behind the wheel drive exam. My restriction is the vehicle has to have dual mirrors...
sixstringsg 1 points 3y ago
I just moved to California and have been having difficult navigating getting my drivers license. I have been licensed in both Texas and Nevada. Would you mind if I PM you for any pointers going through the process in CA?

To answer your question above because I also see 20/70 corrected:
In Texas I had to wear my Bioptic Telescope and that was my only restriction.
Nevada was much worse, I was limited to no freeway, no night time driving, no driving over 45mph, yearly driving tests, and full time bioptic.
ending100 1 points 3y ago
https://ocutech.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Bioptic-Driving-Regulations.2.pdf
beighto 1 points 3y ago
This is great, thanks!
FlowerPower465 1 points 3y ago
Has she used bioptics for driving? I guess maybe not if she isn’t legally blind, but for people I know who are legally blind, some have enough vision to use bioptics while driving which brings their vision up to a range probably similar to her 20/70. Whether or not it is unrestricted I think depends on each individual case.
beighto 1 points 3y ago
I'm not sure how biotics would apply to the law. If a state says 45 and no night driving, are those restrictions still applied if wearing bipotics? Or would bioptics only allow people with uncorrectable 20/200 to drive.
sixstringsg 1 points 3y ago
In NV & TX, bioptics are additional to those restrictions. I had to be able to see 20/70 combined in NV without my bioptic and I had to pass 20/30 or better WITH my bioptic, and it was required full time.
FlowerPower465 1 points 3y ago
I’m not exactly sure - However, I know that bioptic drivers have to get a vision statement from their eye doctor/low vision specialist when they’re working to obtain their driver’s license for the first time or when it is due for renewal. I’m sorry I don’t have more specific information, but hopefully this helps, even just a bit.
not_court_ 1 points 3y ago
Florida! I’m in a similar boat and got my license no problem, even tacked on motorcycle endorsement much to my probable stupidity. 20/70 in both eyes is all it takes
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