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September 27, 2011, 4:29 pm
D.M.V. to Drop Eye Exam for License Renewals

By CHRISTINE HAUGHNEY




New York drivers worried about having to read a line on an eye chart to renew their license can rest easy.

Starting on Wednesday, the Department of Motor Vehicles will no longer require New Yorkers to pass a vision test before renewing a driver’s license.

Instead, New Yorkers will “self-certify” that they can see what’s on the road when they renew their licenses, the agency’s commissioner, Barbara J. Fiala, said in a statement issued Monday. If they are getting a commercial license or a driver’s license for the first time, they still must take a vision test, which typically requires drivers waiting on a long line to read a line from an eye chart.

The agency has gone back and forth on its policy over the years. From 1993 through 2000 renewers didn’t need to pass any vision testing and the agency said in a statement that eliminating the test had “no negative impact on traffic safety”.

Gov. George E. Pataki ignored suggestions from doctors for years that the state should bring back the exam, saying that it could cost millions of dollars. His administration ultimately relented.

So for the past last 11 years, New York State drivers were required to take the test. Ms. Fiala said the agency already let drivers “self-certify that they have no driving-related medical issues such as hearing or heart ailments or conditions which lead to unconsciousness.”

She added that this was all part of the agency’s broader plan to streamline its businesses, as directed by the governor, Andrew M. Cuomo. Dropping the vision exam requirement will allow drivers to renew their licenses more easily online or by mail, the department said.

“I am pleased that we have been able to respond to Governor Cuomo’s call that state agencies identify and change procedures that are outdated, could be streamlined or could be transacted online,” Ms. Fiala said in the statement.

Quoted from 1251

   Am I reading this right? So theoretically someone who is legally blind could get a drivers license? What am I missing?

Quoted from bumblethru

EXACTLY!!! WTF??

But hey.....don't forget to watch your sodium intake.

Quoted from rampage

you shouldn't be texting / talking on the phone while driving.  

Quoted from 147

I saw one on curry road talking on her cell, as she backed out of her driveway INTO Curry Road, around 5pm.  Now that takes SKILL.

Good thing she's not a politician

Quoted from rpforpres

I just recieved my notice to renew my license and it says I either have to take the eye test at DMV or have a dr sign a card that came with it?!