A bill that would require vision screenings for Kentucky drivers renewing their licenses is headed to the full Senate for further consideration. Currently, Kentucky only requires vision screenings for new drivers.
The measure, House Bill 439, previously cleared the House with an 89-5 vote. If it becomes law, the measure wouldn’t take effect until 2024.
Republican Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser, the bill’s lead sponsor, said called it a “very common-sense piece of legislation that will save lives by ensuring Kentuckians have the necessary visual acuity to operate motor vehicles.”
Moser said 42 other states have requirements for vision screenings during driver’s license renewals.
“Without a doubt, in the states who have this there are less fatalities, car accidents and hospitalization rates are lower,” said Moser, who has worked on the legislation for several years.
Moser said motorists could have the vision screening done in advance by medical professionals instead of the place of renewal. The screening could also be done at driver’s license offices.
Moser predicted it would be a nominal cost to the state to implement, saying that vision tests could be incorporated with an ongoing overhaul of how the state issues driver’s licenses to comply with the federal REAL ID Act.
That overhaul includes the option of driver’s licenses that expire after eight years instead of the traditional four.
