Colour Blindness:

[Nawk]

This came up in conversation last night and I don't know the answer.

Can a driver still obtain a Class A license in Canada if they are colour blind?

I know that with a D and lower the vision requirements aren't as high. But the specific topic of colour vision - I don't know.

 

[noproblembuddy]

I can't find a really definitive answer. One site says it's not very important to discriminate between red and green (WOT????!?!?)

Guides for Determining Medical Fitness to Drive a Motor Vehicle (see Color Vision, section 2.5)

while others appear to say that it is illegal in certain jurisdictions:

Regarding Color Blindness - Truck Driver and Trucking Forums

 

[Nawk]

Thanks NPB.

Maybe there's a seasoned safety guy that's lurking about that can offer some clarification on the issue.

 

[PSTC]

As I am a safety guy and Colour blind as well I will comment.

As for the question asked, as long as the driver can differentiate between the three colours he is legal to obtain and keep a Class A license in Ontario.

Which means he is legal in every North America jurisdiction due to reciprocity.

My last medical they showed me a red, yellow and green pushpin in a plastic bag.

 

[Nawk]

As I am a safety guy and Colour blind as well I will comment.

As for the question asked, as long as the driver can differentiate between the three colours he is legal to obtain and keep a Class A license in Ontario.

Which means he is legal in every North America jurisdiction due to reciprocity.

My last medical they showed me a red, yellow and green pushpin in a plastic bag.

Awesome!

Thanks for your response PSTC - much appreciated.

 

[Michael Ludwig]

My last medical they showed me a red, yellow and green pushpin in a plastic bag.

How do you know?

Just messin' with ya ... LOL

So, it's really up to your doctor/medical examiner to determine if you are fit, or within the defined limits of colorblindness, to continue to keep your A license and MTO abids by that decision?

 

[a2madmac]

I'm also color blind. Red green.( not the TV show involving duct tape) Don't mean I don't see red or green just not the same as "you normal people" (I'm using normal loosely) My best example used to be stop lights. the green light was the same as street lamp. since most street lamps are a yellow tinge now, I don't have to wait for the people behind me to start honking so i know the light is green..........yanking chain here.......Its never been an issue for me... ill let you know if the red light starts looking like a street light..... ;0)