Politics & Government

After Two Days, Cuomo Reverses Plan to Drop DMV Vision Tests

Gov. Cuomo will wait to hear from physicians before dropping the requirement that drivers take an eye exam when renewing their licenses.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo decided Friday to postpone a policy that would allow drivers to skip the vision test when renewing their licenses.

The change was initially intended to simplify the process of renewing drivers licenses by mail or online, but was reversed after just two days until "physicians can be consulted," the AP reports.

Rather than requiring drivers to take a test at the Department of Motor Vehicles, the policy would allow drivers to "self certify" whether their vision was adequate for piloting their cars down city streets.

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The state of New York has long waffled on whether drivers should retake the test with each renewal. No test was required between 1993 and 2000, due mostly to then-governor George Pataki, who insisted that instating such a test would could cost millions, the New York Times reports.

Despite the expense, many groups are pleased to see that the vision test will remain in place, at least for now. Paul Steely White, executive director of the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, said Cuomo's decision will simply make the streets safer.

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“Ending the vision tests would have put millions of people in harm’s way," he said. "New Yorkers will applaud the Governor’s U- turn on this policy.”


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