What Is Illinois Form DSD X 20?
Form DSD X 20 is the official Vision Specialist Report used by the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Department. It records the results of a professional eye examination performed by a licensed optometrist (OD), ophthalmologist, or physician (MD/DO).
Drivers may submit this completed form instead of taking the standard vision screening at a Driver Services facility. The report is valid for six (6) months from the date of the examination and is used confidentially on the driver’s record.
You can download the current official version (DSD X 20.16, May 2026) directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website:
Download Form DSD X 20 — Vision Specialist Report (PDF)
Who Needs to Submit Form DSD X 20?
You may need to complete and submit Form DSD X 20 if:
- You prefer to have a vision specialist evaluate your eyes instead of the in-facility screening.
- You fail the vision screening at a Driver Services facility.
- You do not wish to accept a proposed driving restriction (for example, daylight-only driving).
- You wear prescription spectacle-mounted telescopic lenses (required annually).
- The Secretary of State requests an updated vision report as part of medical review.
According to the Illinois Secretary of State, the completed form must be presented at your local Driver Services facility when you apply for or renew your license.
Official source: Illinois SOS Medical and Vision Conditions page
Illinois Minimum Visual Standards for Driving
The Illinois Secretary of State sets clear acuity and peripheral vision requirements. These standards appear on Form DSD X 20 itself and in the Illinois Administrative Code.
Visual Acuity Standards
- No restrictions: 20/40 binocular (with or without corrective lenses)
- Daylight driving only: 20/41 to 20/70 (with best correction binocular)
- Failure / not qualified: 20/71 or worse binocular, or 20/100 monocular in some cases
- Left and right outside rearview mirrors may be required for certain monocular readings (≥ 20/100)
Important: Readings that show a plus (+) or minus (–) are not acceptable (example: write 20/40, not 20/40 –1).
Peripheral Vision Standards
- Unrestricted license: At least 140° total temporal field (binocular)
- Restricted license (both left and right outside rearview mirrors): At least one eye must have 70° temporal and 35° nasal (105° total field)
- If neither eye meets the 70°/35° minimum, the applicant is not qualified to be licensed in Illinois
How to Complete Form DSD X 20?
The form has five main sections on the front and additional sections on the reverse for telescopic lens wearers.
- Section I – Applicant Information (completed by the driver): Name, address, driver’s license number, birth date, gender, and authorization for the SOS to use the report confidentially.
- Section II – Acuity Section: Vision specialist records corrected and uncorrected acuity for both eyes, right eye, and left eye.
- Section III – Peripheral Section: Temporal and nasal readings for each eye and total field of vision.
- Section IV – Follow-up Requirements: Specialist opinion (if the driver was previously canceled), acceptance of corrective lenses, and any recommendation for future monitoring.
- Section V – Medical Provider: Specialist’s certification, signature (stamped signatures are not accepted), professional license number, address, and telephone.
The vision specialist must sign and date the form. The report is valid only for six months from the examination date.
Special Requirements for Telescopic Lens Wearers
Drivers who use prescription spectacle-mounted telescopic lenses must complete both sides of Form DSD X 20 and submit it annually.
Key requirements include:
- Acuity through the carrier lenses: 20/100 or better in both eyes
- Acuity through the telescopic lenses: 20/40 or better in both eyes
- Peripheral vision must meet the standard 140° binocular or 70°/35° monocular criteria
- The telescopic lenses may not exceed 3.0X wide-angle or 2.2X standard power
- The applicant must have possessed the fitted telescopic arrangement for at least 60 days before the application date
- License is generally restricted to daylight driving only and Class D only (nighttime privileges require additional approval and a road test)
First-time telescopic lens applicants may be contacted by the SOS to schedule a road test after the Vision Specialist Report is received.
How and Where to Submit Form DSD X 20?
Bring the completed, signed original form with you to any Illinois Driver Services facility when you apply for or renew your driver’s license. You can find the nearest facility using the official SOS Facility Finder.
For telescopic lens nighttime driving requests or certain medical review cases, mail the form to:
Secretary of State
Medical Review Unit
2701 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62723
Always keep a copy of the completed form for your records.
Download the Official Form DSD X 20
The most current official PDF is available free of charge from the Illinois Secretary of State:
Download Illinois Form DSD X 20 Vision Specialist Report (PDF)
You can also access the form and other driver’s license publications on the official SOS publications page: Driver’s License and ID Card Publications and Forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the form free?
Yes. The official PDF is free to download and print from the Illinois Secretary of State website.
Can any doctor complete the form?
Only a licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, or physician (MD/DO) may complete and sign the form. Stamped signatures are not accepted.
How long is the report valid?
Six months from the date of the examination listed on the form.
What if my vision does not meet the standards?
The specialist will note any recommended restrictions (daylight only, outside mirrors, etc.). In some cases the license may be denied or further medical review may be required.
Conclusion
Form DSD X 20 is the essential document Illinois drivers use to prove they meet the state’s vision standards for a driver’s license. By having a qualified vision specialist complete the current official form and submitting it at a Driver Services facility, you can satisfy the vision requirement efficiently and accurately.
Always use the latest version of the form from the Illinois Secretary of State website and consult a licensed eye-care professional for your examination. For the most up-to-date rules, visit the official Illinois SOS Medical and Vision Conditions page linked above.