Skip the Trip to the MVA
GLEN BURNIE, Md.—The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration's (MVA) has created a web based Online Vision Certification service that allows authorized vision providers to submit an individual's vision screening results electronically to the MVA. With electronic submissions, eligible customers can renew their driver's licenses through the MVA's website or self service kiosk. Walk-in customers who need a vision test as part of their transaction, can use the vision certification to eliminate the vision screening step in the renewal process.
All Maryland drivers' license holders must meet certain vision requirements when renewing their driver's licenses. Customers aged 40 & over must have their vision examined with each renewal while those under the age of 40 are required to have a vision exam every other renewal period. When it is time to renew, Maryland drivers are notified if they are qualified to renew their driver's licenses via the web or kiosk and information about using On Line Vision Certification Service.
The MVA worked with members of the Ophthalmology and Optometry community to gain insight on what would work best for vision providers. There is no cost to the providers to sign up for the service; all they need is a computer with internet access. Vision results are valid for 12 months from the date of exam for driver's licensing purposes.
Vision providers who want to enroll in the program can simply log onto the MVA's website at: https://egov.maryland.gov/mva/vision. They will be asked to complete a short application package to set up their account. Their licensing status will be verified with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Once enrolled, they can login and the system will automatically check the status of their Maryland medical license each time they use the system. The instantaneous check confirms their authority to submit vision results to the MVA. Once the vision provider enters the results, the MVA customer should be able to renew a driver's license the next business day.
A list of current participating vision providers is also available on MVA's website at: http://www.marylandmva.com and click on Online Vision Certification Service. Customers can also contact their providers directly. Authorized participating providers are also issued a decal for display in their office after successfully enrolling in the service.
Source: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration