Ala. Admin. Code r. 760-X-20-.14 - Conditions Affecting Sensory Function

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 6, March 31, 2022

(1) With respect to conditions affecting sensory function, the review boards when making recommendations, and the department when taking licensing action, may consider conditions including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Cataracts.

(b) Macular degeneration.

(c) Retinitis pigmentosa.

(d) Diabetic retinopathy.

(e) Glaucoma.

(f) Deafness.

(2) The department may require information on functional ability including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Visual acuity.

(b) Field of vision.

(c) Hearing.

(3)

(a) Licensing standards. No license may be issued to, renewed by, or held by a person who does not meet the medical review standards for conditions affecting sensory functions of this subsection.

(b) Corrective lenses. A person needing corrective lenses to meet the standards in his section shall be restricted to use of those lenses while driving. No person may use a bioptic telescopic or similar lens in order to meet the visual acuity standards in this subsection.

(c) Medical standards for operator licenses. A person who applies for, renews, or holds an operator's license shall meet all of the following criteria:

1. Visual acuity of at least 20/60 or better in at least one eye, as assessed by a vision specialist.

2. A horizontal, temporal field of vision of 110 degrees or more from center.

(d) Referral or evaluation. The department shall refer a person for examination by a vision specialist as specified in subds. 1 and 2 and shall restrict any license issued to a person having a vision condition specified therein as follows:

1. If a person has uncorrected visual acuity of less than 20/40 in each eye, but at least 20/50 in one eye, the department shall refer the person to a vision specialist for examination and an advisory recommendation. The person shall complete a driving evaluation if recommended by the vision specialist. The person's license shall be assigned restrictions, such as driving only during daylight hours based upon a recommendation from the vision specialist.

2. If a person has horizontal, temporal field of vision of less than 110 degrees from center, the person shall be referred to a vision specialist for an examination and an advisory recommendation. The person shall complete a driving evaluation. The person's license shall be restricted to driving with outside rear view mirrors to compensate for the loss of field of vision. The person's license may be subject to additional license restrictions, such as driving only during daylight hours, but these additional restrictions may be waived based on a recommendation from a vision specialist and a driving evaluation demonstrating adequate compensation for the loss of field of vision.

Author: Lieutenant F. A. Bingham

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 760-X-20-.14

New Rule: Filed March 12, 1996; effective April 16, 1996.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§32 2 9, 32 6 13, as amended.