You need to pass a vision test and submit the results to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

A corrective lenses restriction on your Florida driver's license means you are legally required to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving. To remove it, you must pass a vision screening that shows you can see well enough to drive without correction, then submit that test result to DHSMV along with a request to lift the restriction.

The process is straightforward but requires you to take the first step — DHSMV will not remove the restriction on its own, even if your vision has improved. You cannot straightforward visit a license office and ask for the restriction to be removed without documentation of your current vision.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a vision test performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist and bring the results to a Florida license office.
  • The vision test must show you can read the 20/40 line on the eye chart without glasses or contacts to remove the restriction.
  • You will need to complete form HSMV 14-010 (Vision Correction Removal Request) and pay a fee when you submit your test results.
  • Processing typically takes one to two weeks after you submit your paperwork at the license office.

Where to get your vision test

You can have your vision tested at any optometrist's office or ophthalmology clinic in Florida. Call ahead and tell them you need a vision test specifically to remove a corrective lenses restriction from your driver's license — they will know what you need and can often schedule you the same day or within a few days.

The test itself is the standard eye chart screening. The optometrist or ophthalmologist will ask you to read letters on a chart from a distance of 20 feet without wearing your glasses or contacts. If you can read the 20/40 line or better, you meet Florida's vision standard for driving without correction. The provider will document this on a form or letter you can bring to the license office.

Some vision providers charge a small fee for this test — typically $20 to $50 — though some may include it as part of a regular eye exam. Ask about the cost when you call to schedule.

What documents you need to bring to the license office

Bring your current Florida driver's license, the vision test results from your optometrist or ophthalmologist, and a completed form HSMV 14-010. You can read form HSMV 14-010 from the DHSMV website or pick one up at any Florida license office.

The vision test results do not need to be on a specific form — a letter from your eye care provider stating your uncorrected vision measurement is sufficient. Make sure the document includes the date of the test, your name, and the provider's signature or stamp.

Bring your current license because the office will need to verify your identity and update your record. If you have lost your license, bring a valid photo ID instead.

Steps to complete at the license office

Visit any Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office during business hours. You do not need an appointment for this transaction, though some offices allow you to reserve a time slot online to reduce wait time.

Tell the clerk you are there to remove a corrective lenses restriction. Hand over your completed form HSMV 14-010, your current license, and your vision test results. The clerk will review the documents to confirm your test results meet the 20/40 standard. If everything is in order, you will pay a fee — currently $27.50 for a license correction — and the office will process your request.

You will receive a temporary driving permit valid for 30 days while your new license is printed and mailed to your address on file. Your new license will arrive within one to two weeks and will no longer show the corrective lenses restriction.

What happens if your vision test does not meet the standard

If your uncorrected vision is worse than 20/40, you will not be able to remove the restriction. DHSMV's standard for driving without correction is fixed — you must be able to read the 20/40 line on the eye chart without glasses or contacts.

If this is the case, you have two options. You can continue to wear your corrective lenses while driving, which is legal and satisfies the restriction. Or you can explore vision correction procedures such as LASIK or PRK with an ophthalmologist, then take a new vision test after recovery to see if you meet the standard.

Fees and processing time

The fee to remove a corrective lenses restriction is $27.50. This is a one-time charge and covers the license correction and reissuance of your license card.

Processing time is typically one to two weeks from the date you submit your paperwork. Your temporary permit is valid during this period, and your new license will be mailed to your address on file. If you do not receive your new license within three weeks, contact your local DHSMV office to check the status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive without my glasses before my new license arrives?

No. Your current license still shows the restriction, and you are legally required to follow it until your new license arrives. The temporary permit you receive at the office does not remove the restriction — it is only proof that you have applied for the correction. Continue to wear your corrective lenses while driving until your new license arrives in the mail.

What if I moved and my address on my license is outdated?

Update your address before you submit your restriction removal request. You can do this online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a license office. Your new license will be mailed to your current address, so updating it first ensures you receive your card.

Do I need to take a new written or driving test to remove the restriction?

No. You only need to pass the vision test. You do not retake the written exam or the driving test — the restriction removal is a straightforward record update based on your vision results.

Can I remove the restriction online or by mail?

No. You must visit a Florida license office in person with your vision test results and completed form HSMV 14-010. DHSMV does not process restriction removals by mail or online.