can a person with one eye still drive a car

[RobertAnn]

Yes, in many cases, a person with vision in only one eye can legally drive a car in the United States. The primary factor is whether you can meet the specific visual acuity and visual field standards set by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The key is passing the official vision test, which typically requires a minimum standard, often around 20/40 corrected vision in your seeing eye and a sufficient horizontal field of vision, usually between 100 to 140 degrees.

The process involves more than just the initial test. You must demonstrate to the DMV that you can compensate for the lack of depth perception (stereopsis). This is the ability to perceive the world in three dimensions and judge distances. While challenging, many monocular drivers successfully adapt by using monocular cues like relative object size, motion parallax (where closer objects seem to move faster than distant ones), and shadows.

Here is a general overview of common state requirements, though you must verify with your local DMV:

State	Typical Minimum Visual Acuity (Best Corrected)	Typical Minimum Horizontal Visual Field	Common DMV Protocol for Monocular Vision
California	20/40	110-120 degrees	May require a road test and/or a vision specialist's statement
Texas	20/70	120 degrees	Often issues a "daylight driving only" or "outside mirror required" restriction
Florida	20/70	130 degrees	Requires a Vision Specialist Report (Form HSMV 72010) to be completed
New York	20/40	140 degrees	A restricted license is common after a successful vision and road test
Illinois	20/40	105 degrees	May issue a license valid only when wearing prescribed bioptic telescopic lenses

After getting licensed, adapting your driving habits is crucial. You'll need to make a conscious effort to turn your head more frequently to scan for blind spots, increase your following distance to compensate for reduced depth perception, and be extra cautious at intersections and when changing lanes. Many drivers find that adding wider side mirrors is extremely helpful. The decision is a significant one that should be made in consultation with your eye doctor, who can best assess your personal capabilities.

[VonArianna]

My dad lost the sight in one eye years ago and still drives just fine. He had to go back to the DMV for a special test where they checked his good eye and made sure he could see enough to the sides. They put a restriction on his license that says he has to have a special mirror on the passenger side. It’s not a big deal. He says the trick is just to move his head around a lot more than he used to, especially when he’s backing up or merging. It’s definitely possible.