Can People with Color Weakness Pass the Self-Service Driver's License Physical Examination Machine?
4 Answers
The "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" only explicitly prohibits people with red-green color blindness from obtaining a driver's license, so other types of color blindness and color weakness can normally apply for a driver's license. However, because individuals with color weakness have poorer color discrimination ability and can only distinguish colors when they are highly saturated, passing the driver's license physical examination may pose some difficulty. Below are the physical condition restrictions for applying for a motor vehicle driver's license: 1. Height: Applicants for large buses, tractors, city buses, large trucks, or trolleybuses must be at least 155 cm tall. Applicants for medium-sized buses must be at least 150 cm tall. 2. Vision: Applicants for large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, trolleybuses, or trams must have uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. Applicants for other vehicle types must have uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of at least 4.9 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. 3. Color Vision: No red-green color blindness. People with color blindness cannot obtain a driver's license as they cannot drive safely and may have difficulty seeing traffic signals, which could easily lead to accidents.
When I went to apply for a driver's license, I used a self-service medical examination machine to test the color vision section. I have a slight color weakness, especially in distinguishing between red and green. The machine displayed images of numbers composed of colored dots, and I had to quickly identify them. At first, I was nervous and thought I might fail, but I found that some images were bright and easy to recognize, while the blurry ones could be identified by viewing from different angles or waiting. Eventually, the system showed that I passed because I answered the key parts correctly. The staff mentioned that mild color weakness does not affect the driver's license requirements, as long as you can distinguish between traffic light colors (red and green) and use navigation or assistance while driving. They suggested practicing with similar test apps online beforehand to build confidence; if that doesn’t work, manual medical examinations can provide alternative solutions. Safe driving is the top priority—don’t push yourself if it affects road safety. Driver's license standards vary by location, so check local regulations to avoid misunderstandings.
I often help people with driver's license medical exams, and the self-service machine's color vision test is very practical. It can initially screen color recognition ability by using colored dot matrix images to identify numbers. People with mild color vision deficiency may pass because the core requirement is ensuring you can distinguish traffic lights while driving. The machine has a lenient algorithm, allowing a pass if the error rate is low. If the color vision deficiency is severe and affects traffic signal recognition, the system will prompt a failure but refer for manual review. During the actual operation, take your time and don't rush, ensuring good lighting and proper positioning. Safety comes first; if you don't pass, consult a doctor for evaluation or special training. Don't worry about overly strict regulations—local policies support issuing licenses to those with mild color vision deficiency. Try multiple times to gain experience, and updated driving aids can assist you.
I used a self-service medical exam machine for my driver's license test, and my mild color blindness worried me. The machine displayed color cards to see if I could read the numbers. With slight color deficiency, I could distinguish most patterns and passed smoothly. The key is that not all colors are tested—only traffic light recognition matters. The system has high tolerance; minor mistakes are fine. I recommend checking your color vision level in advance and testing your ability with an app. Safety-wise, if you can drive, it's OK; otherwise, opt for a manual test. The lesson is not to panic.
