Yes, Wisconsin shows a glasses requirement on your driver's license, and it's a legal restriction you need to follow
If you need corrective lenses to drive safely, Wisconsin will print a restriction code on your license. The code appears as a small letter or number in a specific box on the back of your card. This is not an endorsement — it's a restriction, meaning you are legally required to wear your glasses or contacts whenever you drive. Driving without them when this restriction is on your license is a violation, even if you think you can see well enough.
The restriction is added during your vision test at the DMV. If you fail to meet the vision standard without correction but pass with glasses or contacts, the examiner will note this on your license. Wisconsin uses the code "B" to indicate that corrective lenses are required.
Key Takeaways
- Wisconsin marks a glasses requirement with the letter "B" printed on the back of your driver's license in the restrictions section.
- This restriction means you must wear your corrective lenses every time you drive — it is a legal requirement, not optional.
- The restriction is added based on your vision test results at the DMV, not by your eye doctor or optometrist.
- Driving without your glasses when this restriction is on your license can result in a traffic citation and fines.
- If your vision improves or you get new glasses that correct your vision to the standard, you can request a new vision test to remove the restriction.
How the vision test determines if a restriction is added
When you renew your license or take a vision test at a Wisconsin DMV office, an examiner will check your eyesight using a machine or chart. Wisconsin requires you to see at least 20/40 in each eye, or 20/30 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. If you do not meet this standard without glasses or contacts, but you do meet it when wearing them, the examiner will add the "B" restriction to your license.
You do not need a prescription or a letter from your eye doctor for this to happen. The DMV examiner makes the decision based solely on what you can see during the test. If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, tell the examiner before the test begins so they know what you are wearing.
What happens if you drive without your glasses when the restriction is on your license
Driving with a "B" restriction on your license means you must have your corrective lenses with you and be wearing them. If a police officer stops you and you are not wearing your glasses, you can be cited for violating the restriction. This is a separate violation from any other traffic offense and can result in a fine.
The fine amount varies depending on whether this is your first violation or a repeat offense. A first violation is typically treated as a minor traffic offense, but it still goes on your driving record. If you are in an accident and the officer discovers you were not wearing your glasses when the restriction required it, this can affect insurance claims and liability determinations.
How to remove the glasses restriction from your license
If your vision has improved or you have gotten new glasses that correct your vision to the legal standard, you can request a new vision test at any Wisconsin DMV office. You do not need to wait for your license to expire. Bring your current license and any new glasses you want to be tested with.
During the test, if you now meet the vision standard without correction, or if your corrective lenses bring you to the required level, the examiner will issue you a new license without the "B" restriction. There is no fee for a vision retest, but you will pay the standard fee for a replacement license if one is issued.
The difference between a restriction and an endorsement
Wisconsin driver's licenses show both restrictions and endorsements, and they are opposite things. A restriction limits what you can do — like the glasses requirement. An endorsement allows you to do something extra, like drive a motorcycle or a commercial vehicle. The glasses notation is always a restriction, never an endorsement, because it narrows your driving privileges rather than expanding them.
Restrictions appear in a specific box on the back of your license and are printed as single letters or numbers. If you have multiple restrictions — for example, glasses and automatic transmission only — they will all appear in that same box, separated by commas.
What to do if you think the restriction was added by mistake
If you believe you passed the vision test without correction and should not have a "B" restriction, you can request a retest at any DMV office. Bring your current license and ask to speak with a supervisor or manager about your concern. They can review the test results and, if there was an error, issue a corrected license.
If you were wearing glasses during the test but believe the examiner made an error in measuring your vision, a retest is still your option. You can also bring a recent vision prescription from your eye doctor, though the DMV examiner is not required to accept it — they will conduct their own test using their own equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to carry my glasses in the car even if I'm not wearing them?
Yes. If you have a "B" restriction, you should keep your glasses in the car. If you are stopped by police and are not wearing them, having them available shows you have the corrective lenses — though you are still required to wear them while driving. It is safest to wear them at all times while behind the wheel.
Can I get a hardship exemption from the glasses restriction?
Wisconsin does not offer hardship exemptions from vision restrictions. If you cannot meet the vision standard with your current glasses, your options are to get new glasses that correct your vision to the legal level, or to stop driving. There is no waiver process for this restriction.
What if I wear contacts instead of glasses?
The "B" restriction applies to any corrective lenses — glasses or contacts. You must wear whichever correction you were tested with, or something that corrects your vision to the same level. If you switch from glasses to contacts, you do not need to update your license, but you must still wear the correction while driving.
Does the glasses restriction affect my insurance rates?
The restriction itself does not automatically raise your rates, but insurance companies can see it on your license. If you are in an accident and were not wearing your glasses when the restriction required it, your insurance company may deny the claim or reduce what they pay. Always wear your correction as required.
How long does the glasses restriction stay on my license?
The restriction stays on your license until you request a new vision test and pass without the restriction. It does not expire on its own. You can request a retest at any time, even the day after your license is issued, if your vision has changed.