DEPARTMENT OF STATE  
BUREAU OF BRANCH OFFICE SERVICES  
VISUAL STANDARDS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS' LICENSES  
(By authority conferred on the secretary of state by section 309 of the Michigan  
vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.309)  
R 257.1 Vision examinations.  
Rule 1. A driver's license applicant and a licensed driver examined as required  
under chapter 3 of Act No. 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, as amended, being  
SS257.301 to 257.327 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, in order to be licensed shall  
successfully pass a vision test authorized or administered by the department and  
meet other requirements of law. Whenever required hereunder, he shall submit a  
statement of examination on a form prescribed by or acceptable to the department which  
shall contain the name, address, title, and signature of an ophthalmologist or an  
optometrist, and the full name, address, date of birth, result of the examination, date  
of examination, and signature of the applicant.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 257.2 Unrestricted drivers' licenses.  
Rule 2. An unrestricted driver's license may be issued to an applicant or licensee  
who has visual acuity of 20/40 and a peripheral field of vision of 140 degrees.  
Visual acuity less than 20/40 to and including 20/50 and a peripheral field of vision  
of 140 degrees or less to and including 110 degrees may be accepted if the applicant  
or licensee submits a statement of examination on a form prescribed by or acceptable  
to the department signed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 257.3 Restricted drivers' licenses.  
Rule 3. (1) A restricted driver's license requiring the driver to wear appropriate  
corrective lenses while driving may be issued if corrective lenses are necessary to meet  
any vision requirement.  
(2) A restricted driver's license allowing daylight driving only may be issued if an  
applicant or licensee submits a statement from an ophthalmologist or optometrist stating  
1 of the following:  
(a) The applicant or licensee has visual acuity less than 20/50 to and including  
20/70 with no recognizable progressive abnormalities affecting vision.  
(b) The applicant or licensee has visual acuity less than 20/50 to and including  
20/60 with recognizable progressive abnormalities affecting vision.  
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(3) A restricted driver's license containing additional conditions and requirements  
may be issued to an applicant or licensee who has a peripheral field of vision of less than  
110 degrees to and including 90 degrees. The applicant or licensee shall pass any driving  
test specified by the department.  
(4) A restricted driver’s license for the use of bioptic or telescopic lenses may be  
issued to an applicant or licensee who has not less than 20/50 visual acuity in 1 eye if the  
following are satisfied:  
(a) The applicant or licensee receives satisfactory behind the wheel training in the  
use of bioptic or telescopic lenses from a qualified individual as specified by the  
department.  
(b) The applicant or licensee passes testing as specified by the department.  
(5) A restricted driver's license may contain additional conditions and requirements.  
History: 1979 AC; 2025 MR 12, Eff. May 12, 2025.  
R 257.4 Denial or suspension of drivers' licenses.  
Rule 4. A driver's license must be denied or suspended indefinitely if an applicant or  
licensee has visual acuity less than 20/60 with recognizable progressive abnormalities  
affecting vision; visual acuity less than 20/70 without recognizable progressive  
abnormalities affecting vision; visual acuity of 20/100 or less in 1 eye and less than 20/50  
in the other; or an unaided peripheral field of vision less than 90 degrees.  
History: 1979 AC; 2025 MR 12, Eff. May 12, 2025.  
R 257.5 Additional examinations.  
Rule 5. The department may require an additional examination of the applicant  
or licensee.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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