California’s DMV sets a vision standard every driver has to meet, and keeping your prescription current helps you pass. We compare vision plans that cover regular eye exams and the glasses or contacts you rely on.
Tell us who needs coverage, and a licensed agent will follow up by phone or video.
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Every San Diego driver has to meet the DMV’s vision standard. Here’s what it requires.
| Standard | Requirement | What happens if you don't meet it |
|---|---|---|
| Both eyes together | 20/40, with or without glasses | Eye doctor report and a vision drive test |
| One eye at a time | 20/40 in one eye and at least 20/70 in the other | Same next steps, plus possible extra screenings |
| Better eye, with correction | Better than 20/200 | A license can't be issued or renewed |
We compare plans by how often they cover routine eye exams.
We line up frame, lens, and contact allowances across plans.
We confirm the eye doctors you use are in each plan’s network.
California requires 20/40 vision with both eyes together, or 20/40 in one eye and at least 20/70 in the other, with or without corrective lenses. If you don’t meet the standard, the DMV asks for a vision report from an optometrist or ophthalmologist and a vision drive test.
A vision plan covers routine eye exams, which can identify a prescription change before a DMV visit. The DMV’s vision report form is filled out by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Whether a plan covers an exam for that purpose depends on the plan, so we check before you book.
Some vision plans let you apply your frame and lens allowance to prescription sunglasses, and others offer discounts instead. Coverage for polarized or tinted lenses varies. If you drive often in bright conditions, we compare how each plan treats sunglasses.
Many employer vision plans let you add a spouse and children for an added premium. If yours doesn’t, or if you’re self-employed, an individual or family plan can fill the gap. Children’s vision care is also included in Covered California health plans.
Optometrists usually handle routine eye exams and prescriptions, which vision plans cover. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who treat eye disease and perform surgery, which is usually billed to health insurance. Knowing which kind of visit you need helps you use the right coverage.
Tell us who needs coverage, and a licensed agent will lay out plan options by phone or video.
