Very Sneaky MD Cdl vision test.

[bigpapa7272]

Went down to the Maryland DMV today to get my permit. been studying up for my permit tests and got 90s on a few practice test I took before i went to the dmv. Sit and wait 35 minutes to have my number called. My number gets called and I go to the station the lady tells me to look in and read line 4. I do that no problem, then the vision field test pass that no problem. Then she puts up these colored circles that are red green and yellow and she tells me to read the numbers inside. I identified the colors fine. Was only able to depict one of numbers and she tells me i failed the vision test. I thought it was unfair because the the way the numbers were printed was like an optical illusion where you need to focus your eyes for a few minutes and try to deciper the picture. so now even though i identified the colors correctly she tells me I have failed the vision and that i need to go home and bring in my dot long showing that they did and I passed a color test.

She also told me she cant just ask what color is this on a brochure of a wall. so now I wasted 40 minutes of my life at the dmv and gas to and from for nothing now i am going back friday.

They try to comfort you telling you 70% of men don pass that test and need to have their long form in order to verify it. Hello if 70% are failing then maybe the test needs to be changed.

Any thoughts??

[Twilight Flyer]

Any thoughts??

I have to side with the DMV.

If there are vision issues, then I'm not sure where you can be upset with them for failing you on it. You said it takes a few minutes for your eyes to focus? That seems like a problem, I would think.

I recently re-upped my regular icense in the fall...I took the same type of vision test. Letters, colors, flashes, numbers in colors, the whole shebang. Granted, you have to be able to focus your eyes fairly quickly on the test, but if you're guiding an 80,000 pound piece of loaded machinery down the road with me next to you, I wouldn't want it taking you several minutes to focus on something.

Just my $.02.

[all18wheels]

i took the same test. i passed. you have vision issues.

[Roadhog]

They are testing for color blindness, particularly red/green colors.
I guess you can figure why that would be important.
Some people can not actually distinguish between the two colors, very easily.

Here is a couple test examples.
http://colorvisiontesting.com/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...pages/9962.htm

[bigpapa7272]

i dont have color vision issue i recited the colors correctly but because i couldnt see the numbers thats why i failed. she told me i identifed the colors correctly. i can identify most any color.

yeah i wear glasses but have never failed a dmv vision screen til today.
i just renewed my regular license in feb.

I have my dot long which says I can distinguish between colors and all. They told me bring it in and I will pass on to the knowledge tests.

i can see far away just fine.

[ajritter04]

i dont have color vision issue i recited the colors correctly but because i couldnt see the numbers thats why i failed. she told me i identifed the colors correctly.

yeah i wear glasses but have never failed a dmv vision screen til today.
i just renewed my regular license in feb.

I have my dot long which says I can distinguish between colors and all. They told me bring it in and I will pass on to the knowledge tests.

Yes, you do have color vision issues, otherwise you would've passed the test. They were indeed testing for color blindness, and you failed due to your apparent inability to differentiate some of the colors. Failing one portion of the vision test means you failed the entire test. Color
blindness tests are totally different than being able to tell the difference between red and green, or yellow and purple, etc. They are designed that way for a purpose.

However, if you can still distinguish the red / yellow / green colors by themselves, which is what the long form should state, then you will be OK as far as the DMV is concerned.

[mx302dad]

i dont have color vision issue i recited the colors correctly but because i couldnt see the numbers thats why i failed. she told me i identifed the colors correctly. i can identify most any color.

yeah i wear glasses but have never failed a dmv vision screen til today.
i just renewed my regular license in feb.

I have my dot long which says I can distinguish between colors and all. They told me bring it in and I will pass on to the knowledge tests.

i can see far away just fine.

If you can't see the numbers, then you have trouble distinguishing between the 2 colors.

[bigpapa7272]

seriously though if 70% of men are having a problem passing this test then it needs to be changed.

[Roadhog]

seriously though if 70% of men are having a problem passing this test then it needs to be changed.

papa, you may have heard the figure wrong. It is 7%.... not 70%.

Still as this article states, 7% is around 10 million men.
http://www.hhmi.org/senses/b130.html

Women have less trouble with color blindness.
I guess they can tell a clear diamond from a yellow one... dang it.

[gmh]

Not sure where you are in the state, but the further from the I95 corridor you get, the more slack you get at the MVA.

Color differentiation is somewhat moot, as all horizontal lights have the same order, as do vertical lights.

[Uturn2001]

I have a buddy who is that way. You can flash him about any color and he has no problem seeing it, but if you place two colors together, other than black and white, and he says that one color just runs into another.

He tells me where this causes him the most problems is reading road signs, especially at night, and items like menus.

[bigpapa7272]

for me when you put 2 colors together no matter what color i can see both and i dont have a problem reading a menu either.

I went to the belair MVA office it used to be one of the best to go to, but they are getting lazy and starting to be a pain. They said i will pass with my long form so thats not an issue. maybe I should have taken the long form with me all the state website said was bring your medical card.

i just think that the test is a tad unfair.

[bigpapa7272]

Any thoughts??

If there are vision issues, then I'm not sure where you can be upset with them for failing you on it. You said it takes a few minutes for your eyes to focus? That seems like a problem, I would think.

I didnt say it took a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to everything. Just for that "wheres waldo test" ,I passed everything else on the vision test so my vision aint that bad.


I also read off all colors perfectly at my dot physical.

[Uturn2001]

Here is what you do. Make an appointment with your eye doctor and have him examine you for color blindness and similar issues. When you pass take that down to the DMV.

[bigdaddyjollyrob]

Big papa, Getting a cdl and cdl permit is a journey. If there are any medical issues they make you go through hoops to get it. I went to my dmv waited 1hr got to front, needed to go to social secutity because I laminated my card 16yrs ago in the military.(not valid) went came back hr later waited 10 min. I handed in application to be told I needed to goto my dr's and have a physical because I checked the high bp box and diabetes. I then had to goto dor's, mail form & letter,wait a 2wks to get letter back from operator control. Get letter bring back to dmv then ok'd to take test. yes it sucks but we need to meet fmcsa. I proved it been doing dot for last 7yrs. I did what needed to be done. I have my permit plus tanker endorsment and I'm now in school and couldnt be happier. Get what they need, get that permit and get to school,millis,cfi,ATS usx and get the process started. You will be soooo happy. Best of luck Bud and PM me on the other site if you need more info about schools to get into.

[bigpapa7272]

Here is what you do. Make an appointment with your eye doctor and have him examine you for color blindness and similar issues. When you pass take that down to the DMV.

thanks for the advice uturn but i am gonna take the dot form with me to dmv form first, before I go spending money on an eye exam.

[bigdaddyjollyrob]

Big papa, Getting a cdl and cdl permit is a journey. If there are any medical issues they make you go through hoops to get it. I went to my dmv waited 1hr got to front, needed to go to social secutity because I laminated my card 16yrs ago in the military.(not valid) went, came back hr later waited 10 min. I handed in application to be told I needed to goto my dr's and have a physical because I checked the high bp box and diabetes. I then had to goto dr's, mail form & letter,wait a 2wks to get letter back from operator control. Get letter bring back to dmv then ok'd to take test. yes it sucks but we need to meet fmcsa. I proved it been doing dot for last 7yrs. I did what needed to be done. I have my permit plus tanker endorsment and I'm now in school and couldnt be happier. Get what they need, get that permit and get to school,millis,cfi,ATS usx and get the process started. You will be soooo happy. Best of luck Bud and PM me on the other site if you need more info about schools to get into.

[bigpapa7272]

bigdaddy thanks for the encouragement. i'll keep ya updated i wont be able to pm you on the other site til i have 50 posts which i dont have there yet.

[larryh31]

Bigpappa,

Go and get yourself an eye exam. I know that money may be tight right now, but it will save you a lot of trouble later on. If you get out on the road and misread a sign or a signal, you could kill yourself or someone else.

There is a company called America's Best Contacts that offers 2 pairs of glasses or contacts including a free exam from $69.95. Their website is
www.twopair.com

Belair Edison Crossing
2401 Belair Road
Suite 104
Baltimore, MD 21213
Phone: 410-534-5530

Plus, even if you do get the MVA to accept your long physical form, many companies will give you another physical by their doctors once you get to orientation. If you fail that physical, you will be sent back home.

[bigpapa7272]

i havent missed a road sign or signal in 10 years of driving.