# Florida DMV and vision testing - seriously?? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 11, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207 "2014-05-11T19:45:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/21 "2014-05-12T05:49:35Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I think that he could violate HIPAA if makes any decisions based on a conversation with you without your MIL’s consent. Or some other law, no? > Fortunately my grandmother gave up driving when her car finally went. She couldn’t afford to buy a new one, and I think she knew her driving days were over (not that she’d have admitted it!). HIPPA wouldn’t apply unless he told you something about her eyesight, or prior test results or something like that. The idea is to make very clear that you have witnessed dangerous driving as a result of her sight, and that should he pass her and send on the results and she later has an accident that can connected to her vision, you will make damn sure that his report to the state will be scrutinized very closely. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/22 "2014-05-12T09:44:55Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > \*\*Frank \*\*- she was tested at the DMV and failed. They gave her a form to take to the doctor and if he blesses it, she gets to keep her license for 6 more years. I don’t know why they do that, they can’t justify taking away someone’s ability to drive forever over an eye test administered by someone who isn’t an eye doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/23 "2014-05-12T10:08:14Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > they can’t justify taking away someone’s ability to drive forever over an eye test administered by someone who isn’t an eye doctor. …yeah, thats what I thought, hence my puzzlement. As to the guys in this thread who think its appropriate to threaten the eye doctor: you guys are just flat out weird. And its really bad advice. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/24 "2014-05-12T10:23:12Z")
I don’t know who the eye doctor is. I can’t go with her on her appointment - I live 800 miles away. I’m certainly not one to tell a medical professional how to do his job or what results I expect. And I can see how a 10-second eye test at the DMV isn’t necessarily the be-all-and-end-all of determinants regarding vision. I’m hoping that the doctor isn’t easily swayed by the begging of an elderly lady who doesn’t want to quit driving. Assuming he lives in the same city, he certainly won’t want to be on the road with drivers who can barely see. I’m worried. I’m frustrated. I’m a little bit angry at my MIL. I’m also thinking ahead a few years when I may be facing the same decision. I don’t have MD, but my vision has been getting gradually worse over the last 15 years, and I can see the day when I dare think “I really shouldn’t be driving.” I remember when my grandfather quit driving after dark, and then just quit driving. I hope I’m like him - I do what’s right when it’s time. I wish she was more like him. ---
**Author:** ![Inter\_Alia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@Inter\_Alia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inter_Alia)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/25 "2014-05-12T12:16:32Z")
Do y’all know who the doctor is? Instead of calling and threatening legal action, you could just call and tell them about the curb incident and anything else your MIL has said/done. The doctor’s office can’t even confirm your MIL is a patient, but they should be willing to write down your message anyway. Say you’re concerned about these things and thought s/he should know before your MIL’s appointment. Be factual and don’t exaggerate. The doctor won’t necessarily take you at your word, but s/he’ll at least know what questions to ask your MIL. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/26 "2014-05-12T12:32:09Z")
Semi-related story. I lived in FL for awhile, and my room-mates fairly elderly father was a very nice Italian immigrant who was very obviously going blind (you could tell just by looking at him that he had some sort of issue with his eyes, and he always wore dark shades as a result). We spent a whole day one summer driving him to different DMV offices till he found one that would pass him on the eye exam (which I really should’ve protested, but I was 16 at the time, and he was a pretty charismatic guy and made it seem less sketchy then it was). Anyhoo, hopefully with better computer networks this isn’t the case anymore, but at least in the late-90’s you could apparently just keep applying until you found a DMV employee checked out enough to pass a blind man on the eye-exam. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/27 "2014-05-12T13:09:43Z")
I think that the doctor option helps protect the state of Fla from charges of discrimination against the elderly. Somebody who is denied can go to a private doctor and get a clinical evaluation. If they pass they get a license. The state concedes the responsibility (and with it the liability) to the doctor. My guess is that they do this because they know that there is a very high failure rate for people who take the doctor’s test. With all of the malpractice litigation in the USA and the fact that Florida is teeming with hungry lawyers, what eye doctor in his right mind would falsify an eye exam result? ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/28 "2014-05-12T13:15:17Z")
My car was smashed into in a Publix parking lot by an elderly man who could barely see. My car was right behind his – I was waiting for a parking space to open up. He claimed he looked, but didn’t see me, and back straight into my passenger side. I still see that guy at Publix, driving himself. SMH ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/29 "2014-05-12T15:28:09Z")
Has your husband spoken to your FIL about the situation, since his mom isn’t listening? Has anyone told her, she shouldn’t be fucking driving considering her own admission that she couldn’t see when it was raining and she failed the DMV test? Sounds like everyone is afraid of her. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/30 "2014-05-12T17:39:58Z")
I don’t think it’s so much fear as knowing how pigheaded she can be. And all of us hoping the doctor protects her (and us) from herself. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2014, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/31 "2014-05-12T17:53:14Z")
I am so sorry to hear this and really do understand your frustration! My mother-in-law’s father just turned 90 last year. He had macular degeneration and finally lost his license on his birthday. However, he had only been doing local driving for a while. For the long migrations to Florida and back to Indiana, one of their sons would drive the motor home. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/32 "2014-05-13T18:28:24Z")
I agree that as people get older they should be more careful with driving. Heck, maybe everyone should take the driving test again at some point. But I am speaking from experience that this is not easy for her and she may be to the point of being desperate. It is not just being pigheaded, stubborn, etc. As an adult having a driver’s license is the norm for everyone and has been for her for several decades. She’s possibly also embarrassed with being labeled. Humans are judgmental bastards. You hand someone a State ID when they are expecting a driver’s license and they start thinking. Here’s a list of [28 Ways to Lose Your Driver’s License](http://billhaddoxinsuranceblog.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/28-ways-to-lose-your-drivers-license/). Which is the most honorable? Even if she still has other people to help her get around, who likes to be a burden? I am in no way saying she should keep driving. If she can’t see get her off the road. Safety first, especially at 75mph. I’m hopefully just helping shed some light on her side. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/33 "2014-05-13T18:34:54Z")
I’m actually a lot happier with the idea of a learned, licensed professional testing her vision than a paper-pusher at the DMV. Think about it: who’s at more risk of being sued if she runs over a gaggle of children? I wish they didn’t have the in-person test option _at all_. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/34 "2014-05-13T19:30:59Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > It sounds like the perfect idea to me. Tell hum that if she has an accident you will file suit against him, and if her prior eye test results indicate that he falsified anything on the report he sent into the state, he can kiss his practice goodbye. Worth repeating again… > [@Joey\_P](#): > > Then, not only will your mom lose her regular eye doctor, but she’ll realize how easy it is to just start doctor shopping until she finds one that’ll sign off on the report. She could do that anyways, but maybe she won’t think of it. Or, once sharing this injustice amongst her friends, might be directed to do the above if she hadn’t already thought of it. Everyone “knows” some shady doctor who can help their situation. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/35 "2014-05-13T20:50:04Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I’m actually a lot happier with the idea of a learned, licensed professional testing her vision than a paper-pusher at the DMV. Think about it: who’s at more risk of being sued if she runs over a **gaggle of children**? I wish they didn’t have the in-person test option _at all_. (Bolding mine) _That’s_ what you call it! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/36 "2014-05-13T20:56:21Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > I am in no way saying she should keep driving. If she can’t see get her off the road. Safety first, especially at 75mph. I’m hopefully just helping shed some light on her side. I fully understand her desire to maintain her independence. What I don’t understand is why she won’t accept that she shouldn’t be driving. I truly hope that when my vision starts failing to that degree, I’ll surrender my keys. Nobody wants to be a burden, but nobody wants to be responsible for hurting or killing someone else, either. Her appointment is next week. We shall see… ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/37 "2014-05-14T00:52:53Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Worth repeating again… > > Or, once sharing this injustice amongst her friends, might be directed to do the above if she hadn’t already thought of it. Everyone “knows” some shady doctor who can help their situation. …is the United States full of shady doctors? I literally couldn’t imagine this being a concern in the part of the world that I live. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/38 "2014-05-14T01:30:09Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …is the United States full of shady doctors? I literally couldn’t imagine this being a concern in the part of the world that I live. Oh, not quite “full of” but enough to have to think about it. The autorities being more concerned with watching out for those who would casually hand out controlled substance prescriptions, or those who will certify questionable states of _ **dis** _ability for insurance/Medicare/welfare fraud purposes, they will not be particularly on the lookout for healthcare professionals who bend over backwards to _NOT_ certify someone as disabled. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/39 "2014-05-14T05:15:33Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > (Bolding mine) > _That’s_ what you call it! What? I’m not supposed to call it _herd_. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/40 "2014-05-15T02:58:54Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …is the United States full of shady doctors? I literally couldn’t imagine this being a concern in the part of the world that I live. We’re home to the likes of Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz…what do you think? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207.md?page=3)