Restriction A is a corrective lenses requirement
Restriction A on your Florida driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — whenever you drive. The restriction appears on your license as a condition of your driving privilege, and driving without the required lenses is a violation.
Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles adds this restriction during your vision screening at the license office. If you fail the vision test without correction but pass it with glasses or contacts, you'll receive Restriction A. The restriction stays on your license until you request it removed by passing a vision test without correction.
This is one of the most common restrictions issued in Florida. It does not limit where you can drive, what hours you can drive, or what vehicles you can operate — only that you must have your corrective lenses with you and in use.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction A requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive, and it appears printed on your license card.
- The restriction is added when you cannot read the vision chart without correction during your license test or renewal.
- You can request removal of Restriction A by visiting a Florida license office and passing a vision screening without correction.
- Driving without your corrective lenses while under Restriction A is a traffic violation and can result in a citation.
How Restriction A gets added to your license
During your initial license test or any renewal appointment, you sit at the vision screening station before you take your photo. The examiner shows you a chart with letters and numbers at different sizes and asks you to read them from a set distance. If you cannot read the required line clearly without correction, the examiner will then test you with your glasses or contacts in place.
If your vision meets Florida's standard with correction but not without it, Restriction A is automatically added to your license. You do not have to request it — it is the default outcome when this situation occurs. The restriction code appears on both the physical card and your digital record in the Florida system.
You may also receive Restriction A if you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, because some examiners note this as a condition that requires correction. The specific reason for your restriction should be documented in your file at the license office.
What you must do to comply with Restriction A
Compliance is straightforward: keep your corrective lenses with you and wear them while driving. This applies to all driving — commuting to work, running errands, highway driving, and driving in your own neighborhood. There is no exception for short trips or familiar routes.
If you wear contact lenses, you must have them in before you start the vehicle. If you wear glasses, they must be on your face. If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, those are the lenses you must wear — you cannot switch to single-vision lenses without notifying the license office.
Keep a backup pair of glasses in your vehicle if possible. If your primary pair breaks or you lose a contact lens while driving, you should pull over safely and either put on your backup pair or stop driving until you can correct the problem.
How to remove Restriction A from your license
To remove Restriction A, you must visit a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office in person and request a vision retest. You cannot remove it by mail or online. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay the retest fee, which varies by county but is typically under $10.
During the retest, you will go through the same vision screening process. If you can now read the required line on the vision chart without correction, the examiner will remove Restriction A from your record. Your new license card will be issued without the restriction, usually within one to two weeks.
If you still cannot pass the vision test without correction, Restriction A will remain on your license. You can request another retest at any time, but you must pass the vision screening to have the restriction removed.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
Driving without the corrective lenses required by Restriction A is a traffic violation in Florida. A law enforcement officer can cite you if they observe you driving without your glasses or contacts, or if you are involved in a crash and the officer determines you were not wearing the required correction.
The citation is typically written as a violation of Florida Statute 322.61, which covers driving with restrictions. The penalty can include a fine, points added to your driving record, and potential suspension of your license if you accumulate multiple violations. A single violation does not automatically suspend your license, but it does create a record.
If you are involved in a crash and were not wearing your required correction, your insurance company may use this fact to deny your claim or reduce their payout, because you were violating the terms of your license.
Restriction A versus other common Florida license restrictions
Florida uses letter codes for different types of restrictions. Restriction A is specifically for corrective lenses. Other common restrictions include Restriction B (automatic transmission only), Restriction C (outside mirror required), and Restriction D (daylight driving only). Some drivers have multiple restrictions on a single license.
Restriction A is the only one that relates to vision. If you have other restrictions, they are separate conditions that you must also follow. For example, if you have both Restriction A and Restriction D, you must wear your corrective lenses and you can only drive during daylight hours.
You can view all restrictions on your license by looking at the back of your license card or by checking your driving record through the Florida DHSMV website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with just one eye if I have Restriction A?
No. Restriction A requires corrective lenses as prescribed for your vision needs. If your prescription is for both eyes, you must wear the full correction. If you have vision loss in one eye, that is a separate medical issue you should discuss with your eye doctor and the license office.
Do I have to tell a police officer about my Restriction A?
You do not have to volunteer the information, but it is printed on your license. When you hand your license to an officer during a traffic stop, they can see the restriction. If you are not wearing your corrective lenses, the officer may notice or ask about it.
What if I lost my glasses and need to drive home?
You should not drive without your corrective lenses if you have Restriction A, even for a short distance. Call someone for a ride, use a rideshare service, or wait until you can replace your glasses. Driving without correction is a violation regardless of the reason or distance.
Does Restriction A affect my insurance rates?
The restriction itself does not automatically raise your rates. However, if you receive a citation for driving without your required correction, that violation will appear on your driving record and may increase your insurance cost.
Can I get Restriction A removed at my eye doctor's office?
No. Only the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can remove the restriction. You must visit a license office in person, request a vision retest, and pass it without correction. Your eye doctor's records are not sufficient to remove it.