How the Texas vision test works

The Texas Department of Public Safety gives you a vision screening at the driver's license office before you take the road test. You read letters or numbers on a chart from a set distance — usually 20 feet — and the examiner records what you can see. The test checks how clearly you see at that distance, not your ability to read small print or see in your peripheral vision.

You will stand in front of a Snellen chart (the standard eye chart with letters that get smaller toward the bottom) or look through a machine called a vision screener. The examiner will ask you to read the smallest line you can see clearly. If you wear glasses or contacts, you wear them during the test — the examiner just notes that you do.

The entire vision test takes about two minutes. You do not need to study for it or prepare in any special way. If you fail, you can retake it the same day at most offices, though some locations may ask you to come back another time.

Key Takeaways

  • Texas requires you to pass a vision screening before taking the road test, and the test measures how clearly you see letters on a chart from 20 feet away.
  • You wear your glasses or contacts during the test if you normally wear them while driving.
  • The passing standard in Texas is 20/40 vision in at least one eye, or 20/60 in each eye if you have vision in both.
  • If you fail the vision test, you can usually retake it the same day or schedule another appointment within a few days.
  • Failing the vision test does not prevent you from taking the road test later — you straightforward cannot take it that day.

What the passing score means

Texas requires you to see at least 20/40 in one eye, or 20/60 in each eye if both eyes have vision. The fraction describes what you can see compared to what a person with standard vision can see. If your vision is 20/40, you need to stand 20 feet away to read what someone with standard vision can read from 40 feet away.

If you do not meet this standard without correction (glasses or contacts), you cannot pass. However, if you can meet it while wearing glasses or contacts, you pass the test. The examiner will note on your license that corrective lenses are required, and you must wear them whenever you drive.

Some people have vision that cannot be corrected to 20/40 even with the best glasses or contacts. In that case, you will not pass the vision test and cannot receive a standard driver's license. You may be referred to a medical review process or told to consult an eye doctor about your options.

If you fail the vision test

Failing the vision test does not mean you cannot get a license — it means you cannot take the road test that day. You have several options. You can retake the vision test when ready at the same office if the examiner allows it, though this is not may provide at every location. You can also schedule a new appointment for another day and bring an updated eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

If you have had a recent eye exam, bring the paperwork with you to your next appointment. Some offices will accept a letter from your eye doctor stating your current vision measurement. This can speed up the process and may allow you to skip the in-office vision test altogether.

You do not lose your place in line or your road test appointment just because you failed the vision screening. Contact the DPS office where you scheduled your test to find out whether you can retake the vision test when ready or need to return on a different day.

Bringing an eye exam from your doctor

If you have had your eyes tested by an optometrist or ophthalmologist within the past 90 days, bring that paperwork to the DPS office. The document should show your current vision measurement (the numbers like 20/40 or 20/20) and whether you need corrective lenses.

The DPS office may accept this paperwork in place of giving you their own vision test. This is faster and means you can move straight to your road test if the exam shows you meet the standard. Not every office handles this the same way, so call ahead and ask whether they accept outside eye exams and what format they need (original paperwork, a copy, or a specific form).

If your eye exam is older than 90 days, the DPS office will likely give you their own vision test instead of relying on the older results. Vision can change, and the DPS wants current information before you take the road test.

What happens if you wear glasses or contacts

You must wear your glasses or contacts during the vision test if you wear them while driving. The examiner is testing your vision as you actually see while on the road, not your uncorrected vision. If you normally drive with glasses and take them off for the test, you will likely fail even if you would pass while wearing them.

Your license will be marked with a restriction stating that corrective lenses are required. This means you must wear your glasses or contacts every time you drive. Driving without them when your license requires them is a violation and can result in a ticket.

If your prescription has changed since your last eye exam, get a new exam before your road test appointment. Wearing an outdated prescription during the vision test could cause you to fail, and driving with an incorrect prescription is unsafe and may violate your license restriction.

Preparing for the vision test

There is no way to study for a vision test, but you can take steps to give yourself the best chance of passing. If you wear glasses or contacts, make sure they are clean and in good condition. Smudged lenses or a scratched lens can make the chart harder to read and may cause you to fail unfairly.

If you have not had an eye exam in more than a year, consider scheduling one before your road test appointment. An eye doctor can tell you whether your vision has changed and whether your current prescription is still correct. This is especially important if you have noticed any changes in how clearly you see, particularly at night or while driving.

Get a good night's sleep before your appointment. Eye strain and fatigue can make it harder to read the chart clearly, even if your vision is fine. Arrive at the DPS office well-rested and with your glasses or contacts on if you wear them.

What happens after you pass the vision test

Once you pass the vision test, you move on to the road test itself. The examiner will take you out in a vehicle and watch how you handle common driving situations — starting, stopping, turning, parking, and following traffic laws. The vision test is just the first checkpoint; passing it does not mean you have passed the road test.

If you fail the road test, you can retake the vision test and road test together on your next appointment. You do not have to repeat the vision test if you passed it the first time, though the examiner may ask you to confirm you are still wearing the same glasses or contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the road test if I fail the vision test?

No. You must pass the vision test before the examiner will take you out for the road test. If you fail, you can retake the vision test the same day at some offices, or schedule a new appointment. Bring an updated eye exam from your doctor if you have one.

What if I wear contacts and they fall out during the test?

Tell the examiner when ready. They will give you time to put the contact back in or switch to your glasses if you have them with you. If you cannot correct the problem, you will need to retake the test another day. Bring a backup pair of glasses or extra contacts to your appointment.

Do I have to wear my glasses during the road test if I pass the vision test with them?

Yes. If your license is marked with a corrective lens restriction, you must wear your glasses or contacts every time you drive. Driving without them is a violation, even if you are only driving a short distance or in familiar areas.

How long does the vision test take?

The vision test itself takes about two minutes. However, you may wait longer depending on how busy the DPS office is. Plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour at the office for the entire appointment, including paperwork and the vision screening.

Can I retake the vision test if I think I made a mistake?

Some offices allow you to retake it the same day, but this is not may provide. Ask the examiner whether a retest is possible. If not, you can schedule a new appointment or bring an eye exam from your doctor to your next visit.