Vision Tests

As a driver’s licence applicant, your eyes are tested for visual acuity (VA) and horizontal visual field (peripheral vision) to ensure you can safely travel on Ontario’s roads.

Vision Tests for Driver’s Licence Applicants

Each vision test takes only a few minutes, and any DriveTest customer service agent can administer a test. Eye tests for driver’s licence applicants involve:

Looking into the screen reader vision testing equipment.
Reading aloud (or writing or using sign language) a series of letters or numbers that get visually smaller in size as you work through the test.
Indicating when a flashing light appears and on which side (left or right) the light appears.

Vision tests are completed at DriveTest Centres. ServiceOntario does not administer vision tests for driver’s licences.

Glasses and Corrective Lenses

An X condition on your driver’s licence photo card indicates that you require glasses or corrective lenses for driving.

If you need eyeglasses or contact lenses while you are driving, you must bring them on the day of your vision test and optionally wear them while looking into the screen reader testing equipment.

It is common for eyes to change over time. As a licensed driver, you must keep your licence up to date. If you start wearing glasses or corrective lenses while driving, you must add an X condition to your licence at a DriveTest Centre or ServiceOntario. You do not need a vision test to add the X condition.

If you no longer require glasses or corrective lenses for driving, you can have the condition removed by visiting a DriveTest Centre to either:

Complete a vision test.
Submit a completed vision form from your vision specialist. The vision form must have a complete reading recorded on the document for all applicable fields (i.e., both eyes, horizontal visual field results). Vision examination results are valid for six months.

There is no charge for adding or removing the X condition from your licence at a DriveTest Centre.

Vision Testing Requirements

Vision testing standards vary based on the type of licence you are pursuing.

Classes G1, M1, G2, M2, M2(L), G, M, M(L) and Driving Instructor Licences

Must not be poorer than 20/50, with both eyes open and examined together, with or without the aid of corrective lenses.
120^o horizontal visual field (peripheral vision) reading in total.

Classes A, B, C, D, E, and F

Must not be poorer than 20/30, with both eyes open and examined together, with or without the aid of corrective lenses.
Must not be poorer than 20/100 in the weaker eye, with each eye being examined individually, with or without the aid of corrective lenses.
150^o horizontal visual field (peripheral vision) reading in total.

Successful and Unsuccessful Vision Tests

If you do not meet the vision requirements at a Drivetest Centre, you will be provided with a form to take to your vision specialist. You can return the completed form to any DriveTest Centre and continue with your application or renewal.

Commercial drivers attempting to renew a Class A, B, C, D, E, or F licence must be downgraded to a Class G licence if their vision test is unsuccessful. However, after seeing a vision specialist and submitting the form, they will have the opportunity to reacquire their commercial licence.