Color blindness or color vision deficiency (CVD) is a common condition worldwide. However, in China, it poses a unique challenge as it is included in the entry-level tests for obtaining a driver’s license. This article shares the story of how I, as someone with mild color deficiency, almost lost my driver’s license during a routine renewal due to this testing requirement—and how I ultimately overcame the challenge through a mix of determination, research, and unconventional methods.
The Legal Framework for License Renewal in China
In mainland China, driver’s licenses require renewal in the sixth and sixteenth years after issuance. The process is relatively straightforward: applicants need to submit a medical certificate from an authorized institution. Once the license is renewed after the sixteenth year, it becomes permanently valid.
In my case, I had forgotten to renew my license on time and discovered through a traffic management app that it had already expired by two weeks. Thankfully, I was still within the three-month grace period. Determined to resolve this quickly, I scheduled a medical exam at a top-tier hospital to obtain the necessary health report.
The Unexpected Challenge of the Color Vision Test
Everything went smoothly during the medical exam until the color vision test. The doctor presented a series of Ishihara color plates, and to my surprise, I couldn’t identify a single one correctly. During my initial license test years ago, I had managed to identify a few plates, allowing me to pass. However, this time, the doctor diagnosed me with color weakness and refused to clear me for the next steps.
Desperate, I pleaded with the doctor, but no amount of persuasion worked. The test results had already been entered into the hospital system, effectively barring me from passing at that facility.
Exploring Alternative Options
Not giving up, I sought help from a doctor neighbor who agreed to assist. He contacted colleagues at another hospital to facilitate my test. However, the prior results in the system complicated matters, and modifying them required consent from the original doctor—a risky and unlikely prospect. I realized that this hospital route was no longer viable.
After some research, I discovered that automated self-service machines for license renewal were available in the city. These machines combined medical tests, photos, and renewal procedures. This seemed like a promising alternative, so I decided to try it.
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While preparing for the automated test, I delved into the science of color blindness. The condition arises from abnormalities in the cone cells of the retina, which detect red, green, and blue light. Correction involves filtering overlapping wavelengths or enhancing color contrast.
I decided to try corrective glasses and purchased a pair online along with a sample Ishihara test booklet. The results were promising, though the glasses looked a bit odd when layered with my regular lenses.
Equipped with my new tools, I visited another hospital. The doctor immediately spotted the corrective lenses and denied their use, citing regulations. Undeterred, I switched to subtler lenses and tried again at a different hospital, only to face the same outcome.
Next, I turned to the automated machines. However, these were also monitored by staff who checked documents and ensured compliance with testing rules. My corrective tools were confiscated, and I had to abort the test halfway to avoid having my results uploaded to the city’s central database.
A Series of Failed Attempts
A Breakthrough in an Unexpected Place
After exhausting local options, I learned that the color vision test could be taken at any authorized location nationwide. Coincidentally, a friend was enrolling in a motorcycle license program, and the driving school assured me they could help me pass the test.
The solution was surprisingly simple: during the test, my friend identified the correct answers and whispered them to me. This workaround allowed me to pass the test without using corrective lenses. Over two days, I completed all the required exams and earned a motorcycle license in addition to renewing my existing one.
Reflections on the Policy and Its Fairness
This experience left me questioning the rationale behind the strict color vision requirements. Globally, there are approximately 330 million people with color vision deficiencies, representing about 5% of the population. In China alone, over 30 million people are affected. While near- or far-sighted individuals can use corrective lenses to pass vision tests, those with color deficiencies are denied the same opportunity.
In practice, color vision deficiency does not impair one’s ability to differentiate traffic signals or drive safely. Yet, the current regulations create unnecessary barriers for people with mild deficiencies. I sent an anonymous letter to the local government questioning the fairness of these rules but have yet to receive a response.
Afterward
While I managed to navigate this bureaucratic maze, my story highlights the need for more inclusive and practical policies. Allowing individuals to use corrective devices for color vision testing, as is common in other countries, would enable millions to obtain and maintain their driving licenses without unnecessary hardship.