Understanding Ontario’s MTO Vision Field Requirements for Driver’s Licenses

As an eye care professional, you play a significant role in road safety. Licensed drivers’ vision requirements differ between Canadian provinces, and Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has established clear guidelines and standards that all drivers must meet. By administering a visual field exam, you fulfil a legal obligation and keep drivers safe.

Driving any vehicle demands clear central vision, wide peripheral awareness, and the ability to see hazards. Blind spots or deficits in the visual field can increase the risk of accidents. Low peripheral vision can increase the risk of side collisions. Over time, progressive visual conditions can make driving more difficult and dangerous. The visual field test can identify these limitations, plus reveal underlying conditions. 

We’ve broken down all of the MTO’s requirements for visual field testing so you can conduct quality exams and improve the patient experience with Virtual Field.  

MTO Vision Standards for Drivers

Ontario’s vision testing requirements are more prescriptive, structured, and safety-focused than some other parts of Canada. Drivers’ license regulations and vision test reporting protocols depend on the driver’s age, medical history, and license class to ensure safety.

When Vision Tests are Required

Ontarians are required to pass tests at certain intervals to maintain valid driver’s licenses:

• New license applications. Vision testing is a standard requirement for all new driver’s license classes.
• License renewals for drivers age 80 and over. As patients age, eye-related conditions become more likely. With this in mind, Ontario has implemented mandatory vision testing for drivers age 80 and older. These drivers must complete vision tests, written exams, and driving evaluations every two years in order to keep their licenses valid.

• Medical referral. Drivers who have undergone eye surgery or have developed a medical condition that affects vision will need to submit an updated vision test report. People with progressive conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetic retinopathy may also require follow-ups to maintain their driver’s licenses.

• Post-incident. After certain traffic incidents, the MTO may request a vision evaluation.
• Following MTO updates. The MTO periodically updates its guidelines, including vision standards, based on new research, technologies, and safety trends.

Visual Requirements for Driver’s Licenses

The MTO’s vision standards differ depending on the type of license, with stricter requirements for commercial drivers who operate larger vehicles or transport passengers.

• Non-Commercial Licenses (Classes G, M)some text
  • Visual acuity no poorer than 20/50 in the better eye.
  • Horizontal visual field of at least 120° with 15° above and below fixation.
• Commercial Licenses (Classes A, B, C, D, E, F)some text
  • Visual acuity no poorer than 20/30 in the better eye and 20/100 in the weaker eye.
  • Horizontal visual field of at least 150° with 20° above and below fixation.
  • Some commercial licenses have specific color vision requirements to prove that drivers can differentiate traffic lights and signals effectively.

MTO Documentation and Reporting

Eye care professionals must submit the MTO’s vision report and comply with the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Ontario offers a formal vision waiver at approved functional assessment centres which allows drivers with specific impairments to retain their licenses. These drivers must show evidence that they can safely operate a motor vehicle despite limitations like monocular vision or specific field deficits.

Virtual Field Helps Meet MTO Requirements

Virtual Field simplifies the process of meeting Ontario's MTO vision testing standards, providing accurate and efficient assessments that align with the province’s regulations — all while improving the patient experience.

Compliance and Compatibility with Canadian Requirements

Virtual Field is now available in every province and territory in Canada, and our VF3 Pro and VF3 Basic have been granted Medical Device Licenses (MDL) from Health Canada. Our support for common Canadian eye care billing codes and integration with electronic health records (EHRs) make billing and compliance seamless.

Improved Accessibility

Virtual Field is ideal for rural Ontario. 2.5 million Ontarians live in a rural area and may not have convenient access to a large facility equipped with traditional visual field tests. Virtual Field expands the treatment area and only requires WiFi and a device like a laptop or tablet to run an exam.

Additionally, traditional tabletop visual field tests are large, bulky, and require dedicated space in a darkened room. Virtual Field is a portable solution that accommodates patients with disabilities and can be conducted wherever patients feel comfortable.

Patient Comfort

Using traditional methods, patients are expected to rest their chin and forehead for extended periods of time, which can be challenging or even impossible for people with pain or limited mobility. With reduced discomfort using Virtual Field, patients may be more likely to follow instructions, making tests easier and more accurate.

Language Options

Canada has two official languages — English and French — and in Ontario, it’s common for patients to speak many more languages. Virtual Field offers 44 languages, which is more than any other vision field exam device on the market. Your patients can hear instructions and encouragement in their preferred language for a clearer understanding throughout the test.

Precise Testing

Virtual Field performs fast, accurate testing, which makes the experience less stressful and exhausting for patients. Advanced eye-tracking and data analysis reduces human error and improves detection. Exams include visual field, 24-2, kinetic visual field (Goldmann Perimetry), ptosis, Esterman, color vision, pupillometry, and more.

Comprehensive Exams

Virtual Field can conduct 13 separate vision exams and detect 400 different diagnoses. Progressive reporting helps you monitor each patient’s situation and apply data analytics to improve diagnosis. These tools are essential for patients who need to renew their licenses due to age, have medical concerns that impact vision, or need to renew their commercial licenses and maintain work.

Better Vision Field Testing for Safer Roads

Few people enjoy the paperwork, rules, and testing that the MTO requires for driver’s licensing. You can make the exam more accessible for Ontarians — and streamline your workflow. Virtual Field is the original and most comprehensive virtual visual field test available today. Schedule a demo to learn more about how you can meet and exceed requirements with Virtual Field.