# 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:** 9\ **Page:** 3
**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 15, 2014, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/41 "2014-05-15T12:58:14Z")
> [@akennett](#): > > We’re home to the likes of Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz…what do you think? Not to mention Dr. Evil, Doc Oc, Dr. Death, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, the list goes on. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/42 "2014-05-15T13:13:13Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > 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. FL especially has something of a reputation for “pill mills”, where doctors will write prescriptions for pain meds or other controlled substances without being particular as to the medical need of the patient. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/43 "2014-05-15T13:51:24Z")
As someone with poor vision in one eye, am am certainly glad the DMV offer the chance to have my doctor take a closer look. I am perfectly fine to drive and the condition is stable, but I won’t pass the eye test. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/44 "2014-05-15T13:51:59Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 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. Believe me, he already knows this. I’m a clinic director at an ophthalmology practice which, by dint of specializing in cataract surgery, sees a lot of older patients. Many of these patients have other conditions, such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, that are often comorbid with cataracts. And on an almost daily basis, our doctors are asked/wheedled/browbeaten by patients who want them to sign off on DL forms. The answer is always, in not so many words, hell no. First, it’s unethical. Second, it’s dangerous to the patient as well as everyone else on the road. Third, yes, it opens the doctor up to criminal and civil liability. It just isn’t worth it. The patients are more than welcome to doc shop if they like - can’t stop 'em. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/45 "2014-05-15T13:55:04Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > As someone with poor vision in one eye, am am certainly glad the DMV offer the chance to have my doctor take a closer look. I am perfectly fine to drive and the condition is stable, but I won’t pass the eye test. Where do you live? I ask because you can get a private operator driver’s license in the US even if you’re completely blind in one eye, or even if you only _have_ one eye. (A commercial driver’s license is another matter entirely; there’s a minimum level of visual acuity in each eye, and a minimum width of visual field with both eyes open.) ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/46 "2014-05-15T14:41:59Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > Where do you live? I ask because you can get a private operator driver’s license in the US even if you’re completely blind in one eye, or even if you only _have_ one eye. (A commercial driver’s license is another matter entirely; there’s a minimum level of visual acuity in each eye, and a minimum width of visual field with both eyes open.) You can drive one eyed, but in some states if you do not pass the test with both eyes, you need additional documentation. I think they just want to make sure you don’t have a progressive condition. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/47 "2014-05-15T17:08:37Z")
> [@Gedd](#): > > Not to mention Dr. Evil, Doc Oc, Dr. Death, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, the list goes on. The biggest issue with Doof is his insistence of installing a Self Destruct button on his Driveinators, many times elderly drivers can mistake them for the headlight switch. ---
**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 22, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/48 "2014-05-22T18:54:07Z")
Update for anyone who cares. The Dr told my MIL that he can’t sign off on her eyes. But he referred her to another doctor who specializes in lenses for people with problems like my MIL has. This new Dr might be able to come up with glasses to allow my MIL to meet the requirements for driving. If not, she’ll be without a license as of June 3. Of course, she’s still driving in the meantime because her license hasn’t expired yet… :smack: Sure hope she doesn’t get into an accident in the next 2 weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207/49 "2014-05-22T19:18:55Z")
Sorry to hear that it’s being dragged out even longer. My grandfather was the same way, to the point where I would refuse to ride with him if he was ever driving. We’re talking slow reaction time, drifting into other lanes, etc. He knew he was a bad driver, but stubbornness and pride kept him from turning over his keys, because he was always “just healthy enough” to drive. Luckily(?), he was in a minor accident, serving as the final wake-up call for him to quit driving. (Nobody was hurt) Before that, I’d actually hoped that something of that nature would occur, because the only alternative would have ended up in an accident with injuries or fatalities. For your family’s sake, I hope the new doctor isn’t able to “help” your MIL. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-dmv-and-vision-testing-seriously/688207.md?page=2)