Can I pass the driver's license renewal with color weakness?
2 Answers
Driver's license renewal with color weakness can be passed as long as it is not red-green color blindness. Generally, if the color weakness is mild and the person can distinguish red and green, the license can be renewed. However, if the color weakness is severe, a hospital examination and evaluation are required to determine whether the driver's license can continue to be used. Below are the regulations from the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses": 1. Vision: For applicants of large passenger vehicles, tractors, city buses, medium-sized passenger vehicles, large trucks, trolleybuses, or trams, the naked or corrected vision of both eyes must reach 5.0 or above on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. For other vehicle types, the naked or corrected vision of both eyes must reach 4.9 or above. 2. Color discrimination: Only color blindness disqualifies one from obtaining a driver's license, and specifically, only red-green color blindness disqualifies one, while other types of color blindness do not. How to determine color blindness or color weakness using color blindness test charts. "For example, the number 98, seen normally as 98 by those with normal color vision, can also be seen as 98 by those with color weakness, while those with color blindness may see it as 6. Color weakness is not checked during the examination.
Whether you can pass the driver's license renewal with color weakness depends mainly on your performance during the medical examination. According to regulations, a vision test, including color recognition, is mandatory during the renewal process. If you have only mild color weakness and can still distinguish between red and green—for example, having no issues identifying traffic lights—you can usually pass without problems. However, if you have severe color weakness and cannot differentiate these critical colors at all, you may be deemed to fail the safety standards, resulting in a failed renewal. I recommend visiting a designated hospital or medical center affiliated with the DMV in advance to take a color vision test using Ishihara plates. Ensure you are in good condition and relaxed before the test. Vision is crucial for driving, as traffic signals rely heavily on color recognition—there’s no room for carelessness. Several friends with mild color weakness have passed the test, as long as they drive safely.
