An Act To Allow the Use of Bioptic or Telescopic Corrective Lenses To Meet the Vision Examination Requirements for a Class C Driver's License
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1426
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: VOLK, COLLINS, DION, JACKSON, ROSEN, McLEAN, PARRY
Amends: 29-A MRSA §1303

Legislative Document
No. 1426
S.P. 496
In Senate, April 13, 2017
An Act To Allow the Use of Bioptic or Telescopic Corrective Lenses 
To Meet the Vision Examination Requirements for a Class C 
Driver's License
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed pursuant to 
Joint Rule 218.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator VOLK of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Senators: COLLINS of York, DION of Cumberland, JACKSON of 
Aroostook, ROSEN of Hancock, Representatives: McLEAN of Gorham, PARRY of Arundel.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, unlike in some other states, current law in Maine prevents the use by 
drivers of bioptic or telescopic corrective lenses when testing for their driver's licenses; 
and 
Whereas, the inability to obtain a driver's license in Maine causes extreme hardship; 
and 
Whereas, this legislation authorizes the use of bioptic or telescopic corrective lenses 
to meet the vision examination requirements for a Class C driver's license; and 
Whereas, it is essential that this legislation take effect immediately in order to 
eliminate extreme hardship; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  29-A MRSA §1303, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 
and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read: 
A.  An acceptable certificate signed by a doctor, optometrist, registered nurse or other 
person approved by the Secretary of State, setting forth the person's visual acuity in 
each eye, and both eyes combined and field of vision.  For a Class C license 
application or renewal, a person may use telescopic or bioptic corrective lenses for 
the purpose of meeting vision examination standards as long as the doctor, 
optometrist, registered nurse or other person approved by the Secretary of State 
certifies that the patient's condition does not interfere with the safe operation of a 
motor vehicle.  The certificate must indicate that it is based on an examination 
completed within one year of the date of application; or 
Sec. 2.  Rules.  The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to implement this Act.  
Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
In lieu of a vision test, current law allows a person applying for a driver's license to 
submit a certificate signed by a doctor, optometrist, registered nurse or other person 
approved by the Secretary of State attesting to the person's visual acuity and field of 
vision.  This bill allows a person employing this option with regard to a Class C license to 
use telescopic or bioptic corrective lenses for the purpose of meeting vision examination 
standards as long as the doctor, optometrist, registered nurse or person approved by the 
Secretary of State certifies that the patient's condition does not interfere with the safe 
operation of a motor vehicle.