Licensure and Driving Status among Visually Impaired Persons

This study aimed to determine what proportion of visually impaired patients continue driving despite falling short of the legal cutoffs described in state licensure laws.

We created a driving habits survey and administered it to 335 consecutive adult low vision patients presenting for their initial evaluation at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute. We measured visual acuity and contrast sensitivity as part of the clinical evaluation and accounted for historic visual field results where indicated. We compared self-reported licensure and driving status against the vision criteria for licensure in each subject's home state.

Two hundred fifty-seven subjects (76.7%) possessed an unexpired license. One hundred forty-one (54.9%) of these demonstrated vision, which would meet their home state's licensure criteria. Ninety-five of 134 current drivers (70.9%) met their home state's licensure criteria. Thirty-nine current drivers (29.1%) were driving outside the bounds of licensure criteria in their state. Among licensed subjects, being a current driver was associated with younger age (P < .001), better visual acuity (P < .001), and better contrast sensitivity (P < .001).

Many drivers do not possess adequate vision for licensure based on their home state's current standards. Changes to licensure qualification and renewal procedures may be advisable.