{"data":{"id":"us-ky/krs-186.577","jurisdiction":"us-ky","citation":"KRS 186.577","heading":"Testing applicants for initial operator's license or initial instruction permit","body":"-- Restrictions or driving privileges based on visual acuity test -- Testing not\nrequired for license renewal -- Certain drivers restricted to use of bioptic\ntelescopic devices -- Administrative regulations -- Fees to cover costs of testing\n-- Deposit of fees in photo license account.\n(1) The following persons shall submit to a test of visual acuity and visual field at the\ntime of application or renewal:\n(a) All persons applying for an initial or renewal operator's license;\n(b) All persons applying for an initial or renewal instruction permit; and\n(c) Any person required to complete an examination under KRS 186.635.\n(2) Vision testing under this section shall be administered to any person:\n(a) Applying for an initial operator's license, an initial instruction permit, or\nreinstatement of a license when vision must be tested as required in KRS\n186.480:\n1. Prior to the time of application under subsection (5) of this section; or\n2. By the Department of Kentucky State Police at the time of application;\n(b) Applying for operator's license renewal or instruction permit renewal:\n1. Prior to the time of application under subsection (5) of this section; or\n2. By the Transportation Cabinet at the time of application; or\n(c) Identified in Kentucky administrative regulations promulgated by the\nTransportation Cabinet or the Department of K entucky State Police as being\nrequired to undergo the exam required by KRS 186.480.\n(3) (a) Persons whose visual acuity is 20/40 or better and who meet or exceed the\nvisual field standard established by the Transportation Cabinet without\ncorrective lenses shall not have a restriction placed on their driving privileges.\n(b) Persons whose visual acuity is 20/40 or better and who meet or exceed the\nvisual field standard established by the Transportation Cabinet with corrective\nlenses shall have their driving p rivileges restricted to mandate the use of the\ncorrective lenses.\n(c) If a person fails to meet a 20/40 visual acuity standard or the visual field\nstandard established by the cabinet, the person shall be referred to a vision\nspecialist for examination.\n(4) A person referred to a vision specialist under subsection (3) of this section whose\nvisual acuity is 20/60 or better and who meets or exceeds the visual field standard\nestablished by the cabinet shall be eligible to test for an instruction permit or\noperator's license, or shall be eligible for operator's license renewal. If corrective\nlenses were prescribed by the vision specialist, the person's driving privileges shall\nbe restricted to mandate the use of the corrective lenses.\n(5) Vision tests administered under subsection (2)(a) of this section shall be deemed to\nmeet the testing provisions outlined in subsection (3) or (4) of this section, if the\nperson submits a driver vision testing form that complies with the provisions of\nsubsection (6) of this section and the form has been completed by:\n(a) A vision specialist; or\n(b) An osteopath, physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered\nnurse who is credentialed by the cabinet to perform vision testing under this\nsection.\n(6) All driver vision testing forms completed under subsection (5) of this section shall:\n(a) Attest that the applicant meets or exceeds the visual acuity standard and visual\nfield standard established by the cabinet;\n(b) Only be valid if the vision specialist or the credenti aled osteopath,\ncredentialed physician, credentialed physician assistant, or credentialed\nadvanced practice registered nurse signed and completed the vision testing\nform less than twelve (12) months prior to the date of application or renewal;\n(c) State wh ether the driving privileges of the applicant shall be restricted to\nmandate the use of corrective lenses; and\n(d) Clearly indicate that the vision testing under this section is a screening for\nminimum vision standards established in this section and is no t a complete\neye examination.\n(7) Any person seeking application or permit under subsection (1) of this section shall\nattest that he or she has submitted to and passed the visual acuity and visual field\ntests required under this section.\n(8) Any person ren ewing an operator's license under KRS 186.416 shall be exempt\nfrom the vision testing requirements outlined in this section.\n(9) Persons who meet the requirements of KRS 186.578 and are issued operator's\nlicenses under KRS 186.579 shall:\n(a) Have their dri ving privileges restricted to the use of a bioptic telescopic\ndevice; and\n(b) Be exempt from this section.\n(10) The Transportation Cabinet shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to\nKRS Chapter 13A to implement the provisions of this section, including but not\nlimited to establishing visual field standards, the creation of a driver vision testing\nform, and establishing a credentialing process for osteopaths, physicians, physician\nassistants, and advanced practice registered nurses to conduct vi sion testing under\nthis section.\n(11) The Transportation Cabinet may promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to\nKRS Chapter 13A to:\n(a) Implement a system for electronic transmission of driver vision testing forms\nand accompanying documentation; and\n(b) Assess a fee to an applicant to cover the administrative costs of performing\non-site vision testing. Any funds received from this fee shall be deposited into\nthe photo license account established in KRS 174.056.","path":["KRS Chapter 186"],"source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=57575","current_through":"Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"09/05/2026","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T20:51:38Z","sha256":"947ed9d1a0346ffd710b0b83a034cc5c79f39873fc1dcf6f3ebebebde8d3bb52","source_id":"us-ky","stale":false,"prev":"us-ky/krs-186.576","next":"us-ky/krs-186.578"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}