Restriction B is a requirement to wear corrective lenses while driving
Restriction B on your driver's license means you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses every time you drive. It appears on your license as a condition of your driving privilege, and violating it—driving without your corrective lenses when the restriction is in place—is a traffic violation in most states.
This restriction is issued when the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or your state's licensing authority determines that your vision without correction does not meet the legal standard for safe driving, but your vision with correction does. The restriction protects you and others on the road by ensuring you can see clearly enough to react to hazards.
Restriction B is one of the most common restrictions you will see on a license. It does not prevent you from driving—it straightforward requires that you correct your vision while you do.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle, and driving without them is a traffic violation.
- The restriction is placed on your license during the vision screening at the DMV if your uncorrected vision falls below the legal threshold but corrected vision meets it.
- You can remove Restriction B by passing a vision test without correction, which means your eyesight has improved enough to meet the standard on its own.
- Driving with Restriction B in place but without your corrective lenses can result in a ticket, fine, or points on your driving record depending on your state.
How the DMV assigns Restriction B during licensing
When you explore for a driver's license or renew one, the DMV administers a vision screening as part of the process. The examiner will test your vision both with and without correction. If your uncorrected vision is worse than the legal standard—typically 20/40 or 20/60 depending on your state—but your corrected vision meets the requirement, the examiner will place Restriction B on your license.
The legal vision standard varies slightly by state. Most states require at least 20/40 vision in each eye, or 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other, to drive without restriction. Some states are stricter. When you renew your license, you will go through this screening again, and the restriction will be removed if your uncorrected vision has improved.
You do not have to do anything special to receive Restriction B—it is assigned automatically during the standard vision test. The examiner will note it on your license, and you will see it printed in the restrictions section.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
Driving with Restriction B in place but without your glasses or contacts is a traffic violation. If a police officer pulls you over and discovers you are not wearing your corrective lenses, you can receive a citation. The penalty varies by state but typically includes a fine, points added to your driving record, or both.
In some states, this violation is treated as a minor infraction with a small fine. In others, it can carry more serious consequences, especially if you are involved in an accident. The officer may also issue a warning if it is a first offense, depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances.
Beyond the legal penalty, driving without correction when you have Restriction B increases your risk of an accident because you cannot see as clearly as you should. This puts you and your passengers at risk, as well as other drivers and pedestrians.
How to remove Restriction B from your license
You can remove Restriction B by passing a vision test without correction. This means scheduling an appointment at your state's DMV and taking the vision screening again. If your uncorrected vision now meets the legal standard—usually 20/40 or better—the restriction will be removed from your license.
Vision can improve over time due to changes in your eye health, surgery, or other factors. If you believe your uncorrected vision has improved, contact your local DMV to find out how to schedule a vision retest. Some states allow you to take the test during a license renewal, while others require a separate appointment.
You do not need a doctor's note or any special documentation to request the retest—the DMV will straightforward administer the standard vision screening again. If you pass without correction, the restriction is removed when ready, and you will receive an updated license.
Restriction B versus other common driving restrictions
Driver's licenses can carry several types of restrictions, each addressing a different safety concern. Restriction B is about vision correction. Other common restrictions include automatic transmission only (usually labeled Restriction C), which means you can only drive vehicles with automatic transmissions, not manual ones. This restriction is sometimes issued to drivers with physical limitations that make operating a manual transmission unsafe.
Some states use different letters or codes for different restrictions, so the exact labeling varies. Restriction A might refer to corrective lenses in one state but mean something different in another. Always check your state's DMV handbook or website to understand what each restriction on your specific license means.
The key difference is that Restriction B is about a condition you must meet every time you drive (wearing your lenses), while other restrictions may limit the type of vehicle you can operate or the conditions under which you can drive.
What to do if you lose or damage your corrective lenses
If you have Restriction B and your glasses or contacts are lost, damaged, or forgotten, you should not drive. Even if you think you can see well enough, driving without your correction when the restriction is in place is illegal and unsafe. If you are away from home and your lenses are damaged, call someone to pick you up, use a rideshare service, or take public transportation.
If you wear contact lenses and they become uncomfortable or fall out while you are driving, pull over safely and do not continue driving until you have replaced them or put on your backup glasses. Keep a spare pair of glasses in your vehicle for emergencies, or carry backup contacts if you wear them.
Many people with Restriction B keep an extra pair of glasses in their car or bag for exactly this reason. It is a straightforward way to may support you are always compliant with your restriction and safe on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with Restriction B if I wear contact lenses instead of glasses?
Yes. Restriction B requires corrective lenses—either glasses or contacts—so you can wear whichever works for you. The restriction does not specify which type of correction you must use, only that you must use some form of vision correction while driving.
Will Restriction B affect my car insurance rates?
Restriction B itself does not typically affect your insurance rates because it is a standard safety measure. However, if you receive a ticket for driving without your corrective lenses when the restriction is in place, that violation could increase your rates.
What if I disagree with the vision test result at the DMV?
You can request a retest at the DMV, or you can have an eye doctor perform an independent vision screening and bring the results to the DMV. Some states will accept documentation from an optometrist or ophthalmologist as evidence that your vision meets the legal standard without correction.
Does Restriction B mean I cannot drive at night?
No. Restriction B only requires that you wear corrective lenses; it does not restrict the time of day you can drive. However, if your vision is very poor without correction, you may want to avoid driving at night for safety reasons, even though it is not legally required.
How long does Restriction B stay on my license?
Restriction B remains on your license until you pass a vision test without correction, or until your license expires and you renew it. At renewal, you will take another vision screening, and if your uncorrected vision still does not meet the standard, the restriction will be renewed. If your vision has improved, it will be removed.