What physical examinations are required before taking the driving test?
4 Answers
The main physical examination items before taking the driving test are: 1. Age: 18-70 years old. 2. Height: No restriction. 3. Vision: The naked vision or corrected vision of both eyes must reach 4.9 or above on the logarithmic visual acuity chart (equivalent to 0.8 on the E chart). 4. Color discrimination: No red-green color blindness. 5. Hearing: Able to distinguish the direction of the sound source with each ear 50 centimeters away from the tuning fork. 6. Upper limbs: Both thumbs must be intact, and each hand must have at least three other fingers intact, with normal limb and finger movement functions. 7. Lower limbs: Normal movement function, with a length difference between the lower limbs not exceeding 5 centimeters. 8. Trunk and neck: No movement dysfunction.
When I first got my driver's license, the medical check-up mainly consisted of several parts: First was the vision test, where I had to read letters or patterns of different sizes on an eye chart specified by the doctor to ensure I could clearly see traffic lights. There was also a color blindness test, using special color plates to distinguish colors like red and green, preventing misidentification of signals. Hearing was also checked—the doctor played sounds to have me indicate their direction, ensuring I could hear horns or emergency situations while driving. Next was the limb mobility test, requiring me to move my arms and legs, such as simulating turning the steering wheel or pressing the accelerator, to ensure coordination and flexibility. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured too, and sometimes even an ECG was done to prevent heart issues while driving. The whole process was quite quick but very important, ensuring safety on the road and preventing accidents.
I've undergone all the core items of the driver's license physical examination, including vision tests, hearing assessments, and color vision evaluations. For the vision part, you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to clearly see distant objects; hearing involves identifying the direction of sounds, with no major deficiencies allowed; color vision is determined through color blindness charts to assess your ability to distinguish common colors. Additionally, they check the functionality of your hands and feet by having you raise your arms and legs or simulate driving movements to ensure smooth operation. Blood pressure measurement is also routine to prevent emergencies. All these are based on safety considerations, as driving requires good vision to see road signs, good hearing to detect alarms, and a flexible body to maneuver the vehicle. If you fail any item, you might need additional training or even correction before you can apply.
I learned about the basic items of the driver's license medical examination when my son took it: vision is key. The doctor will test monocular and binocular vision to ensure the ability to clearly see distance markers. The color blindness test uses color cards to identify critical colors like red and green, preventing confusion with traffic lights. Hearing is also essential, with small-volume tests for directional sense. The physical examination checks arm and leg mobility to assess the ability to operate controls flexibly. Blood pressure is a routine item, and sometimes a quick heart rate check is included. From a parent's perspective, this medical exam focuses on accident prevention, such as poor vision making lane changes unclear or inflexible limbs causing inaccurate braking. It's advisable to get checked in advance to avoid the hassle of retakes.
