CM1 is a medical restriction code, not a license class

CM1 on your driver license means you have a medical condition that requires you to wear corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) every time you drive. It is a restriction, not a separate license type. The state's Department of Motor Vehicles added this code to your license record because your vision test showed you need correction to drive safely.

This restriction appears in the "restrictions" section of your license, usually printed as a letter or number code. Different states use different codes — some use CM1, others use "01" or "B" — but they all mean the same thing: corrective lenses required.

Driving without your glasses or contacts when CM1 is on your license is a violation. You can be cited even if your uncorrected vision is technically legal, because the restriction is specific to your individual test results.

Key Takeaways

  • CM1 means you must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive, based on your vision test at the DMV.
  • This is a restriction code, not a license class, and appears in the restrictions section of your physical license card.
  • Driving without correction when CM1 is on your license can result in a traffic citation, even if you think your vision is fine.
  • You can request a vision retest if your eyesight has improved, and the DMV will remove the restriction if you pass without correction.

How the restriction gets added to your license

When you take your vision test at the DMV, the examiner checks your sight both with and without correction. If you cannot read the required line on the eye chart without glasses or contacts, but you can with them, the examiner adds CM1 to your license. This happens during a new license issuance, a renewal, or if you fail a vision retest during a traffic stop.

You do not have to do anything to get the restriction — it is automatic based on test results. The DMV does not send a separate notice; the code straightforward appears on your new license card when it arrives in the mail.

What happens if you drive without your glasses or contacts

A police officer can pull you over for driving without correction if CM1 is on your license. The citation is usually written as "driving without corrective lenses" or "violation of license restriction." It is treated as a moving violation in most states, which means it can add points to your driving record and increase your insurance rates.

You cannot argue that your vision was actually fine that day — the restriction is based on your DMV test, not on how well you happened to see during that particular drive. The officer does not need to test your vision; the restriction code itself is the violation.

Removing CM1 from your license

To remove the restriction, you must pass a vision test without correction at your local DMV office. You cannot do this online or by mail. Schedule an appointment or visit during walk-in hours, tell the examiner you want to retest your vision, and take the test without glasses or contacts.

If you pass, the examiner will note it in the system and the restriction will be removed from your license. You will receive a new license card in the mail without the CM1 code, usually within two to three weeks. If you fail, the restriction stays and you can retest again after a waiting period set by your state (typically 30 to 90 days).

Do not assume your vision has improved without testing. Many people think they no longer need correction but still fail the DMV standard. It is worth the trip only if you have had corrective surgery (like LASIK) or your eye doctor has confirmed your uncorrected vision meets the legal standard.

CM1 versus other vision-related restrictions

Some licenses carry different codes for related restrictions. CM2 or CM3 might mean you need correction for distance vision only, or that you must wear a specific type of lens. CM alone sometimes means corrective lenses are required but the type is not specified. Check your license card to see exactly which code appears in your restrictions section.

If you are unsure what your specific code means, call your state's DMV or visit their website — each state publishes a list of restriction codes and their meanings. Do not guess, because driving in violation of a restriction you do not understand is still a violation.

What to do if CM1 appears but you do not remember taking a vision test

This can happen if you renewed your license by mail or online and the DMV used your previous test results, or if you took a vision test during a traffic stop and the officer reported it to the DMV. Check your license renewal paperwork or your DMV account online to see when the test was recorded.

If you believe the restriction was added in error — for example, if you took the test while tired or sick — you can request a new vision test at any time. The DMV will retest you, and if you pass without correction, the code will be removed. There is no penalty for retesting, and you can do it as often as you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with CM1 if I have my glasses in the car but not on my face?

No. The restriction requires you to wear the correction, not straightforward have it available. If you are pulled over and the officer sees CM1 on your license but no glasses on your face, you can be cited. Put them on before you start driving, even for a short trip.

Does CM1 affect my insurance rates?

The restriction itself does not automatically raise rates, but a citation for driving without correction will. Insurance companies see the violation as a moving violation, which increases your risk profile. Shop around after a citation, as rates vary by company.

If I get LASIK surgery, do I need to tell the DMV?

You do not have to report the surgery, but you should schedule a vision retest at the DMV to remove the restriction. Bring documentation from your eye doctor if the DMV asks, though most will straightforward retest you without it. Once you pass the test without correction, request a new license card.

What if I lost my glasses and got pulled over?

You can still be cited for driving without correction when CM1 is on your license. A lost or forgotten pair is not a legal excuse. If this happens, get your glasses replaced as soon as possible and keep a backup pair in your car.

Does CM1 mean I failed my vision test?

Not exactly. It means you did not meet the uncorrected vision standard, but you did meet it with correction. You passed the test overall — the restriction just documents that you need correction to drive safely.