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Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky House Bill 525 Exempts Drivers Under 65 from Routine License Renewal Vision Tests
Last action · February 5, 2026: to Transportation (H)Sponsor: Kim Holloway
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What This Bill Proposed
AN ACT relating to vision testing on renewal of operator's licenses and declaring an emergency.
- Kentucky operator's license renewal procedures and vision testing requirements are governed under KRS Chapter 186. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Drivers under 65
Drivers under 65 are exempt from mandatory vision testing when renewing their operator's licenses or instruction permits.
Drivers 65 and older
Drivers aged 65 or older remain subject to mandatory visual acuity and visual field testing upon license renewal.
Transportation Cabinet
The cabinet is directed to promulgate administrative regulations, establish electronic transmission systems, and manage vision testing forms and fees.
Key Facts
- Drivers under 65 are exempt from vision testing when renewing an operator's license or instruction permit.
- Vision testing upon renewal remains mandatory only for drivers who are 65 years of age or older on the renewal date.
- Initial applicants for operator's licenses and instruction permits must still complete visual acuity and visual field tests.
- Drivers failing to meet the 20/40 visual acuity standard or visual field standard must be referred to a vision specialist for examination.
Show all 9 facts
- Vision specialists, osteopaths, physicians, or advanced practice registered nurses can complete driver vision testing forms.
- Driver vision testing forms are only valid if signed and completed less than twelve months prior to the date of application or renewal.
- Renewal applicants under KRS 186.416 and drivers meeting the requirements of bioptic telescopic device licenses are exempt from the testing requirements.
- The Transportation Cabinet is authorized to promulgate administrative regulations to establish electronic transmission systems and assess fees for on-site vision testing.
- An emergency is declared due to the burden placed on the driver licensing system, making the act effective immediately upon passage and approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do drivers under 65 still need a vision test when renewing their license?
Who is still required to take a vision test during a license renewal?
Who is authorized to perform and sign off on driver vision testing forms?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 5, 2026HouseCommitteeto Transportation (H)
- Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroducedintroduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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