Final Rule · FR 2026-03258
Qualifications of Drivers; Vision Standards Grandfathering Provision
Published Feb 19, 2026 at 91 FR 7864. 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.
Removed the outdated vision “grandfathering” provision for drivers from the 1992–1994 vision waiver study and the 1998–2022 exemption program. The alternative vision standard from 2022 remains the path for drivers who do not meet the standard in their worse eye.
- Grandfathering provision removed as obsolete.
- The alternative vision standard still applies.
Official summary from the Federal Register
FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to remove the grandfathering provision under the physical qualifications standards for interstate drivers operating under the vision waiver study program administered from 1992 through 1994, and the vision exemption program operated from 1998 through 2022, as the grandfathering provision is now obsolete. FMCSA's current rules 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.
Our summary restates the rule’s official abstract. It is not legal advice; the rule text (91 FR 7864) and any later amendments control.
03 / Key dates
Dates to know.
- Published
- Feb 19, 2026
- Effective
- Mar 23, 2026
04 / The record
Document details.
- Federal Register document number
- 2026-03258
- Document type
- Final Rule
- Docket IDs
- Docket No. FMCSA-2025-0113
- Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)
- 2126-AC87
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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