(1) A person applying for a driver's license or instruction permit shall be required to take a vision test administered by the department.

(a) Any person with visual acuity worse than 20/40 Snellen with both eyes combined either corrected or uncorrected, or with some apparent significant visual limitation, must have an eye examination by a competent vision authority.

(b) If an applicant's vision cannot be corrected so it will be 20/40 Snellen for visual acuity and if the applicant's vision is between 20/50 Snellen and 20/100 Snellen, or if an applicant's other vision problems cannot be corrected, he or she must submit to a reexamination.

(c) An applicant whose vision cannot be corrected to at least 20/100 Snellen range will be deemed to have failed the portion of the driver's license examination specified by RCW 46.20.130 (1)(a) pertaining to eyesight and ability to see, and will be deemed to have failed to demonstrate that he or she is qualified to drive.

(d) An applicant whose vision cannot be corrected to at least 20/70 Snellen range will be deemed to have failed to demonstrate that he or she is qualified to drive at night.

(2) The department may waive the requirement for a vision test for any person applying to renew his or her driver's license by mail or electronic commerce if the person certifies on the application that his or her vision acuity is no less than 20/40 Snellen for visual acuity, either corrected or uncorrected, and that there are no other vision problems.

(3) The department shall refer for reexamination any person who uses bioptic or telescopic lenses to meet licensing standards for the issuance of any driver's license or instruction permit.