South Carolina House members voted on Tuesday to bring back a requirement for drivers to take a vision test when renewing their license, a rule that was dropped last year when the state was undergoing the real i.d. transition.
While some lawmakers find the testing necessary, DMV representatives have been vocal with opposition to the bill. Chief of South Carolina DMV strategic communications and community affairs, Lauren Phillips said they don’t believe the bill will help to make the roads safer.
Phillips says if you have already applied for your real i.d. or license renewal online, the new requirement most likely won’t impact you.
“South Carolinians may renew one time online, whether that is for a real ID, or standard identification so they may renew one time online and then they have to visit us in person.” Phillips said.
“We just see this as a bureaucratic step that doesn’t impact public safety, research shows that people are addressing any vision deficiencies they might have without the government telling them to do so.”
Optometrist Dr. Neal Williams at the Socastee Eye Clinic said he finds it to be dangerous for people to not have their eyes checked frequently, especially older drivers.
“As the population ages, there are a lot of people that are older who are operating vehicles and to make the assumption that your vision is as good at 75 as it was at 65 or 55 is a flawed thought.” Williams said.
Although the house unanimously voted in favor of the bill, it still has to move through the senate where Governor McMaster will decide to sign it or not.