What is the minimum visual acuity required for a commercial driver?

The minimum visual acuity required for a commercial driver is 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye. This standard ensures that drivers can adequately perceive the environment while operating a commercial vehicle, which is vital for safety on the road.

The reason this requirement is structured in such a way is to balance the need for good vision with the realities of individual differences in visual capabilities. A driver with 20/40 vision in one eye can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision would see at 40 feet. Even if the other eye has poorer vision, as long as it meets the minimum for the other eye, the driver is still considered fit to operate a commercial vehicle.

This standard helps ensure that drivers can see road signs, signals, and other vehicles at appropriate distances, contributing to safer driving practices and reducing the likelihood of accidents.