Restriction B is a corrective lens requirement

Restriction B on your driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses—glasses or contact lenses—whenever you drive. The restriction appears as a code on your license card and is placed there during your vision test at the DMV. If you have Restriction B and drive without your corrective lenses, you are breaking the law, even if you feel you can see well enough.

This restriction is one of the most common ones issued. It does not prevent you from driving or limit where you can drive—it only requires that you correct your vision while behind the wheel. The restriction stays on your license until you pass a vision test without needing correction, which is rare once you have been issued the restriction.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive, and driving without them is a violation even if you can see the road.
  • The restriction is added during your vision screening at the DMV when the examiner determines your uncorrected vision does not meet the standard.
  • You can still drive anywhere and at any time—the restriction only specifies that your vision must be corrected while doing so.
  • Removing the restriction requires passing a vision test that shows you can meet the standard without correction, which typically happens only if you have vision surgery.

How the restriction gets added to your license

When you renew your license or take a written test at the DMV, you are required to read an eye chart during your vision screening. The examiner checks whether you can read the required lines with your uncorrected vision. If you cannot, the examiner will ask whether you wear glasses or contacts. If you do, they will retest you while you are wearing them.

If your corrected vision meets the standard but your uncorrected vision does not, Restriction B is added to your license. The restriction code appears on the physical card and in the DMV's computer record. Some states print it as "B" and others use longer descriptions like "Corrective Lenses Required," but the meaning is the same.

What you must do to comply with Restriction B

You must have your corrective lenses with you and wear them whenever you operate a vehicle. This includes short trips, driving in daylight, and driving in familiar areas. There is no exception for low-speed roads, parking lots, or brief distances. If you wear contact lenses, you must have them in before you start driving. If you wear glasses, they must be on your face while the vehicle is in motion.

If you forget your glasses or contacts at home, you should not drive. Driving without them when Restriction B is on your license is a traffic violation in all states. The penalty varies by state but typically includes a fine, and in some places a point on your driving record. If you are stopped by police and cannot produce your corrective lenses, the officer may cite you even if your vision would have been acceptable with them.

Removing Restriction B from your license

To remove Restriction B, you must pass a vision test without wearing corrective lenses. This means your uncorrected vision must meet your state's standard—usually 20/40 or better in each eye, depending on the state. For most people, this is not possible without vision surgery such as LASIK or PRK, which permanently reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors.

If you have had vision surgery and believe your uncorrected vision now meets the standard, you can request a vision retest at your local DMV. Bring your driver's license and be prepared to pay a retest fee, which varies by state. If you pass, the restriction will be removed and a new license will be issued. If you do not pass, the restriction remains and you will need to continue wearing your corrective lenses.

Other restrictions you might see on your license

Restriction B is one of many codes that can appear on a driver's license. Restriction A typically means you must wear a hearing aid. Restriction D usually means you cannot drive at night. Restriction E often means you cannot drive on highways. Other restrictions may limit you to automatic transmission vehicles, require you to use an outside mirror, or restrict you to daylight driving only.

Each restriction is added based on the results of your vision, hearing, or medical screening at the DMV. If you have multiple restrictions, all of them explore to your driving. You can ask the DMV examiner to explain any restriction on your license if you are unsure what it means.

What happens if you are caught driving without your corrective lenses

If you are pulled over and the officer sees Restriction B on your license but you are not wearing glasses or contacts, you can be cited for a violation. The specific charge varies by state—some call it "driving without corrective lenses," others use "violation of license restriction." The fine is typically between $50 and $200, though some states impose higher penalties.

In addition to the fine, you may receive a point on your driving record, which can raise your insurance rates. If you are in an accident and the police discover you were not wearing your corrective lenses when Restriction B was on your license, the violation can be used against you in insurance claims or civil lawsuits. The safest approach is to always keep your glasses or contacts with you and wear them before you start driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with Restriction B if I wear contact lenses instead of glasses?

Yes. Restriction B requires corrective lenses, and contact lenses count as correction. You must have your contacts in before you drive, just as you would need to wear glasses. If you switch between glasses and contacts, either one satisfies the restriction as long as your vision is corrected.

Does Restriction B mean I cannot drive on the highway?

No. Restriction B only requires that you wear corrective lenses. It does not limit where you can drive, what time of day you can drive, or what type of road you can use. You can drive on highways, at night, and anywhere else—as long as you are wearing your glasses or contacts.

What if I lost my glasses while driving—am I breaking the law?

If your glasses break or fall off while you are actively driving, you should pull over safely and stop driving until you can put them back on or get a replacement. Continuing to drive without them after they are lost would be a violation. Keep a backup pair of glasses in your vehicle if possible.

Will Restriction B affect my insurance rates?

Restriction B itself does not typically raise your rates. Insurance companies care about accidents and violations, not about the restrictions on your license. However, if you are cited for driving without your corrective lenses, that violation can increase your rates.

Can I get Restriction B removed by wearing better glasses?

No. The only way to remove Restriction B is to pass a vision test without any corrective lenses at all. Wearing stronger glasses does not change the restriction—only your uncorrected vision matters. Vision surgery is the most common way people remove this restriction permanently.