Can You Get a Driver's License If You Fail the Physical Examination?
3 Answers
You cannot apply for a driver's license if you fail the physical examination. Below is the relevant information: 1. Height check: To apply for large passenger vehicles, tractors, city buses, large trucks, or trolleybuses, the height must be at least 155 cm. To apply for medium-sized passenger vehicles, the height must be at least 150 cm. 2. Vision check: To apply for 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 at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. For other vehicle types, the naked or corrected vision of both eyes must reach at least 4.9 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. 3. Color vision check: No red-green color blindness; Hearing: The ability to distinguish the direction of sound sources with each ear at a distance of 50 cm.
I heard many trainees worry about failing the physical exam. I've seen too many people who couldn't pass the exam and thus couldn't take the driver's license test. You must pass the physical exam before registration—if you fail, you can't even sign up. The exam includes strict criteria like vision, color vision, and hearing. For example, uncorrected or corrected vision must be at least 4.9, and color blindness is an immediate disqualification. I once taught a young man with amblyopia in his left eye—no matter what, he couldn't meet the standard and had to give up. Another case was someone with severe hypertension; their blood pressure spiked to 180, and the doctor immediately failed them. Honestly, these rules make sense—imagine not seeing traffic lights or hearing horns while driving; it's dangerous. I suggest getting a self-paid pre-exam at a hospital before registration. Spending a few dozen bucks saves you a lot of hassle.
Last year, I accompanied a friend for a physical exam and got stuck. He has weak hearing in his right ear, and when the doctor tested with a tuning fork, he couldn't hear high-frequency sounds at all, resulting in an immediate 'unqualified' stamp on the report. The DMV regulations are crystal clear: if you fail the physical exam, you can't take the driver's license test—not even the written test (Part 1). However, some conditions can be remedied, such as wearing glasses for nearsightedness or hypertensive patients controlling their condition with medication for two weeks before retesting. For example, my cousin has color weakness but can distinguish traffic lights, so he passed by submitting a diagnostic certificate for special approval. For permanent disabilities, such as limb disabilities exceeding the standard or epilepsy, there's basically no way around it. If you truly can't pass, don't force it—ride-hailing apps are so convenient nowadays, and safety comes first.
