Objectives To identify the clinical and occupational profile of professional drivers, with emphasis on visual acuity, who participated in the “Comandos de Saúde” program performed at São Paulo, Brazil, from 2009 to 2011.

Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis using data collected from a sample of 787 drivers in eight different dates, from 2009 to 2011, from ‘Comandos de Saúde’ program of the Medicine School from São Paulo University.

Results 99.8% of the drivers were men, 53.6% had the age between 18 and 45 years. Regarding education 58.1% have not finished high school and 2% had a college degree. In assessing visual acuity, 10.4% of drivers were unable under the minimum criteria established by law and 2.1% had abnormal vision for colours.

Discussion The social profile and the findings related to visual acuity did not differ from the findings in other similar studies. It is known that visual acuity is one of the most important factors to driving safely, being an important issue to be addressed in occupational health evaluations from this workers.

Conclusions It is very important to the occupational health professionals regularly assess the health of professional drivers, with emphasis on visual acuity, which is the most important factor for their safety.