Restriction B is a corrective lens requirement
Restriction B means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. The restriction appears on your license as a condition of your driving privilege, and driving without the required lenses is a violation, even if you can see reasonably well without them.
This restriction is issued during your vision test at the DMV. If you fail to read the eye chart clearly without correction but pass with glasses or contacts, the examiner will add Restriction B to your license. It is one of the most common restrictions issued, and it does not expire or require renewal — it stays on your license until you pass a vision test without correction.
The restriction applies to all driving, all times of day, and all road types. You cannot drive on a permit, a provisional license, or a full license without meeting this condition. Law enforcement can cite you for driving with Restriction B if you are not wearing the required lenses, and the violation can result in a fine or points on your record depending on your state.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses whenever you operate a vehicle, and violating it can result in a citation and fine.
- The restriction is added during your DMV vision test if you cannot read the eye chart clearly without correction but can with it.
- Restriction B does not expire and remains on your license until you pass a vision test without correction at the DMV.
- You can remove the restriction by scheduling a vision retest at your local DMV and passing the eye chart without corrective lenses.
- Driving with Restriction B while not wearing the required lenses counts as a separate violation from other traffic offenses and may carry its own penalty.
How the restriction gets added to your license
Restriction B is added during the vision screening that happens when you first get a license, renew it, or take a written test. The DMV vision examiner will have you read an eye chart from a set distance — usually about 20 feet. If you cannot read the required line of letters clearly without glasses or contacts, but you can read it with them, the examiner will note Restriction B on your license.
The threshold varies slightly by state, but most states require you to see at least 20/40 vision in each eye without correction to pass without a restriction. Some states allow 20/50 or 20/60 with one eye, depending on the other eye's vision. If you wear contacts or glasses and meet the standard with them, you get the restriction instead of being denied a license.
You do not have to ask for the restriction or sign anything special. It is added automatically based on the test results. If you wear contacts and the examiner tests you with them in, you will receive Restriction B. If you wear glasses and the examiner tests you with them on, you will receive Restriction B.
What you must do when driving with Restriction B
You must have your corrective lenses with you and wear them at all times while driving. This means glasses on your face or contacts in your eyes before you start the engine. It applies whether you are driving on a highway, a residential street, a parking lot, or a private road. There is no exception for short distances, low speeds, or familiar routes.
If you wear contacts, you need to wear them. If you wear glasses, you need to wear them. You cannot switch between the two and claim one satisfies the restriction if your license specifies the other — though most states do not specify which type, only that correction is required. Keep your glasses in the car or on your person so you have them if you are stopped.
If you are pulled over and you are not wearing your required lenses, the officer can cite you for violating Restriction B. This is a separate violation from any traffic offense that prompted the stop. Penalties vary by state but typically include a fine ranging from $50 to $300 and points added to your driving record. Some states treat it as a misdemeanor if you have multiple violations.
How to remove Restriction B from your license
To remove Restriction B, you must pass a vision test without corrective lenses at your local DMV. Schedule an appointment or visit during walk-in hours and request a vision retest. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay a retest fee, which typically ranges from $10 to $30 depending on your state.
During the retest, you will read the same eye chart without glasses or contacts. If you meet your state's vision standard without correction, the restriction will be removed and a new license will be issued. If you do not pass, the restriction remains and you will be told what vision standard you did not meet.
Vision can improve over time, especially if you have had eye surgery, received a new prescription, or your eyes have naturally changed. If you believe your vision has improved, a retest is worth the small fee. Some people pass the retest years after the restriction was added; others never do and continue driving with the restriction throughout their driving life.
Other common restrictions and how they differ
Restriction B is about vision correction, but your license may carry other restrictions that limit how or where you can drive. Restriction A typically means you can only drive during daylight hours or with restrictions on night driving, usually because of poor night vision even with correction. Restriction D often means you cannot drive on highways or freeways. Restriction E commonly limits you to automatic transmission vehicles only.
Some restrictions are medical — for example, a restriction requiring you to wear a hearing aid if you are deaf or hard of hearing. Others are age-related, such as restrictions on provisional licenses that limit the number of passengers or the hours you can drive. Restriction B is purely vision-based and does not interact with these other restrictions; you can have Restriction B and other restrictions at the same time.
If you have multiple restrictions, you must follow all of them. For example, if you have Restriction B and Restriction A, you must wear your glasses and only drive during daylight hours. Violating any restriction can result in a citation.
What happens if you ignore Restriction B
Driving without your required corrective lenses when Restriction B is on your license is a traffic violation. If you are stopped for any reason — a broken taillight, speeding, or a random check — and the officer notices you are not wearing glasses or contacts, they can cite you for violating the restriction.
The citation goes on your driving record and typically results in a fine. Some states add points to your record, which can increase your insurance rates or, if you accumulate enough points, lead to license suspension. A single violation is usually not grounds for suspension, but multiple violations within a set period can be.
More importantly, driving without the vision correction you need increases your risk of an accident. If you cause a collision and it is discovered that you were driving in violation of Restriction B, your insurance company may deny your claim or reduce their payout. You could also face additional liability if another person is injured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive without my glasses if I think I can see well enough?
No. Restriction B is a legal requirement, not a suggestion based on how you feel. Even if you believe you can see clearly, driving without your required lenses is a violation. The restriction exists because the DMV determined you do not meet the vision standard without correction, and that standard exists for safety.
Do I need to wear the same glasses I wore during my vision test?
No. You need to wear corrective lenses that allow you to see at the standard required by your state, but they do not have to be the exact pair you wore at the DMV. If you get a new prescription and new glasses, those work as long as they correct your vision to the required level. The same applies to contacts.
What if I lose my glasses while I am driving?
If your glasses break or you lose them while you are out, you should not continue driving. Pull over safely and either wait for someone to pick you up, call a taxi or rideshare service, or have someone bring you a replacement pair. Driving without your required lenses, even in an emergency, is still a violation.
Does Restriction B appear on my insurance or just my license?
Restriction B appears on your driver's license only. Your insurance company can see it if they request your driving record, and it may affect your rates or coverage if you have a violation for driving without your lenses. However, the restriction itself does not automatically change your insurance — only violations do.
Can I get Restriction B removed by getting LASIK or cataract surgery?
Yes. If you have vision correction surgery and your vision improves to meet your state's standard without glasses or contacts, you can take a vision retest at the DMV and have the restriction removed. Bring documentation of your surgery if the DMV asks, though most will straightforward test your vision and remove the restriction if you pass.