Requires applicants for the renewal of a driver's license to prove they have acceptable vision to operate a motor vehicle

1 Co-sponsor

• Patty Ritchie

BILL NUMBER:S2851

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring applicants for the renewal of a driver's license to complete a vision test

Purpose

To require applicants for the renewal of a driver's license to submit proof of acceptable vision to operate a motor vehicle.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 3 of part K of chapter 59 of the laws of 2009.

Justification

This bill would codify New York State Department of Motor Vehicles policy to require people applying to renew their driver's license to certify that they have adequate vision that would allow them to properly operate a motor vehicle.

New York State has over 11 million licensed drivers on the road. If two percent of those drivers failed an eye exam, that would translate into hundreds of thousands of seeing impaired drivers on our roads statewide.

This bill will ensure an atmosphere that is safe for our motorists. It is a common sense measure that will work to achieve those ends.

Such proof of acceptable vision shall require the applicant either to take a vision test administered at a DMV office or submit a certification signed by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, optometrist or optician attesting that the applicant has adequate vision to operate a motor vehicle.

Legislative history

2014. S.4140- Passed Senate / A.6172 Referred to Transportation 2012: S.5904- Referred to Transportation / A.8803 Referred to Transportation 2011: S.5904 - Referred to Rules

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.