Final Rule · FR 2022-01021
Qualifications of Drivers; Vision Standard
Published Jan 21, 2022 at 87 FR 3390. A plain-English summary, key dates and a link to the official text.
Data as of: Oct 16, 2026 5:00 PM PDT
02 / In plain English · Medical certification
What this rule does.
Created an alternative vision standard. Drivers who cannot meet the distant visual acuity or field-of-vision standard in their worse eye can be physically qualified for interstate driving under specified conditions, replacing the old vision exemption program.
- Covers drivers who fail acuity or field of vision in the worse eye.
- Qualification is under specified conditions, not by exemption.
- Replaced FMCSA’s vision exemption program.
Official summary from the Federal Register
FMCSA amends its regulations to permit individuals who do not satisfy, with the worse eye, either the existing distant visual acuity standard with corrective lenses or the field of vision standard, or both, to be physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce under specified conditions. Currently, such individuals are prohibited from driving CMVs in interstate commerce unless they obtain an exemption from FMCSA. The new alternative vision standard replaces the current vision exemption program as the basis for determining the physical qualification of these individuals.
Our summary restates the rule’s official abstract. It is not legal advice; the rule text (87 FR 3390) and any later amendments control.
03 / Key dates
Dates to know.
- Published
- Jan 21, 2022
- Effective
- Mar 22, 2022
04 / The record
Document details.
- Federal Register document number
- 2022-01021
- Document type
- Final Rule
- Docket IDs
- Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0049
- Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)
- 2126-AC21
05 / Official source
Read the original.
Read the full text and details of this final rule at the Federal Register.
View on FederalRegister.gov (opens in a new tab)06 / Calendar
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