Patch Poll Update: Readers Support More Vision Screening For Drivers, Not Less

Of the more than 260 Patch users who participated as of noon Friday, our non-scientific poll about the state Department of Motor Vehicles shows that many of them are not thrilled with the DMV's decision to halt eye exams for most license renewals.

What do you think of the DMV's change to its eye-exam policy?

• It's good. The change will save time by not having to go to the DMV office.   72 (27%)
• It's bad. Drivers should not be trusted to "self certify" that their vision is OK.   79 (29%)
• It's really bad. DMV should be doing more to spot drivers with serious vision problems.   115 (43%)

As of Wednesday, the license renewal process has been changed to allow drivers to "self-certify" that they meet the vision requirement necessary to drive as they currently do for other medical issues.  The DMV says this change will allow motorists to easily renew their licenses on the DMV Web site or by mail.

However, New Yorkers obtaining a driver license for the first time will still be required to take a vision test at a DMV office and commercial driver license holders will still be required to undergo bi-annual medical and vision examination by a medical professional.