RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING THE ISSUANCE OF A DRIVERS LICENSE TO APPLICANTS AND LICENSEES WHO USE BIOPTIC TELESCOPIC LENSES

This Part is promulgated pursuant to the authority granted in R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-28.

The purpose of this Part is to determine the eligibility of a motorist to use bioptic telescopic lenses and to regulate that use.

A.Individuals who use bioptic telescopic lenses are not eligible to receive a motorcycle learner’s permit or license.

B.Individuals who use bioptic telescopic lenses are eligible to receive learner’s permits and licenses only, provided that the individual's doctor has provided a signed certification that the following standards are met:

1.At least 20/40 distant visual acuity through the telescope, and at least 20/100 distant visual acuity through the carrier lens, and at least 20/100 distant visual acuity through the other lens; and not less than 120 degrees combined horizontal peripheral field of vision; and

2.The bioptic telescope used by the applicant or licensee must be:

a.Monocular

(1)The telescope must be on one eye only; telescopes over both eyes are not acceptable for licensing purposes.

b.Fixed Focus

(1)Telescopes that need to be rotated to focus are not acceptable.

c.No Greater Than 3x Magnification

(1)Magnification must not exceed three (3) times.

d.Spectacle-mounted and an Integral Part of the Lens

(1)No clip-on or hand-held telescopes are acceptable for licensing purposes.

e.Located so Not to Occlude the Wearer’s Line of Sight and Not to Occlude the Visual Field in the Other Eye

(1)The telescope must be affixed to the upper quadrant of the lens so that the wearer’s vision while looking through the carrier lens or other lens is not blocked or impended in any way.

f.Eligible for a “Daylight Only” License

(1)A daylight only restriction and a corrective lenses restriction must be imposed. If the licensee wishes to have the restrictions removed from his or her license, he or she must take and pass a night time driving test.

g.Color Vision Standard

(1)Applicant or Licensee must be able to distinguish the colors red, green, and amber.

(2)If the applicant or licensee cannot distinguish the colors red, green, and amber, a license is not possible.

h.Vision Impairment Standard

(1) Applicant or licensee must not have unresolvable diplopia (double vision which cannot be resolved by wearing an eye patch or other suppressive device).

(2)If the applicant or licensee does have unresolvable diplopia, a license is not possible.