A Restriction A limits you to wearing corrective lenses while driving
A Restriction A on an Ohio driver's license means you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles places this restriction on your license when vision testing shows you need correction to drive safely, but your corrected vision meets the state's minimum standard.
The restriction appears on the front of your license card as a printed code. It is not a violation or a mark against your driving record — it is a safety condition tied to your medical fitness to drive. Driving without the required correction when Restriction A is on your license can result in a traffic citation, even if your uncorrected vision would have been legal in another state.
Ohio's vision standard for unrestricted driving is 20/40 or better in each eye, or 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other. If your vision falls below that without correction but meets the standard with glasses or contacts, the BMV will add Restriction A to your license.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction A requires you to wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) whenever you drive; driving without them is a traffic violation.
- The restriction is placed on your license after a vision test shows you need correction to meet Ohio's minimum driving standard of 20/40 corrected vision.
- You can request a vision retest at any BMV office if you believe your vision has improved or if you want to challenge the restriction.
- Restriction A does not appear on your driving record or affect your insurance rates, but ignoring it can result in a citation and points on your record.
- If you fail a vision test during license renewal, the BMV will renew your license with Restriction A rather than deny it outright.
How Ohio's vision testing works at the BMV
When you renew your license or explore for a new one, the BMV clerk administers a vision screening using a machine called a visual acuity tester. You look into the device and read letters or symbols at decreasing sizes. The machine records your vision in each eye separately, with and without correction if you are wearing glasses or contacts.
If your corrected vision meets 20/40 in at least one eye, or meets the two-eye standard (20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other), you pass. The BMV will note on your license whether correction is required. If you wear glasses or contacts during the test and pass, Restriction A is added automatically.
The vision test at the BMV is not a comprehensive eye exam. It does not measure peripheral vision, depth perception, or eye health. If you have concerns about your vision or believe the BMV test was inaccurate, you can visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist for a full exam and request a retest at the BMV with documentation of your corrected vision.
What happens if you drive without the required correction
Driving with Restriction A on your license but without wearing your glasses or contacts is a traffic violation in Ohio. A police officer who stops you can cite you for violating the restriction, which carries a fine and adds points to your driving record. The violation is separate from any other traffic offense you might have committed.
The citation does not automatically suspend your license, but accumulating points can lead to suspension if you reach the threshold (12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months). A single Restriction A violation typically adds two points to your record.
Insurance companies do not typically raise rates for a Restriction A violation alone, but the points on your record may trigger a rate increase depending on your policy and insurer. More importantly, driving without required correction puts you and others at risk and undermines the safety purpose of the restriction.
Requesting a vision retest or restriction removal
You can request a vision retest at any Ohio BMV office at any time, not just during renewal. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay a retest fee, which varies by county but is typically under $10. You can also bring documentation from an eye care professional showing your current corrected vision if you want the BMV to consider that evidence.
If your vision has improved and now meets the standard without correction, the BMV will remove Restriction A from your license. If your corrected vision still does not meet the standard, the restriction will remain. The BMV cannot remove the restriction based on your word alone — the vision test result determines whether it stays.
Some people request a retest after getting new glasses or contacts, especially if they felt the original test was rushed or if their prescription has changed. Bring your current eyewear to the retest so the BMV can test you under the same conditions as your daily driving.
Restriction A versus other Ohio license restrictions
Ohio uses letter codes to mark different restrictions on a driver's license. Restriction A is the most common and applies only to vision correction. Other restrictions include Restriction B (automatic transmission only), Restriction C (outside mirrors required), and Restriction D (daylight driving only, for those with limited night vision). Some drivers have multiple restrictions.
Restriction A is the only one that relates to a physical aid you must have with you and use while driving. The others restrict the type of vehicle or conditions under which you can drive. If you have Restriction A and another restriction, you must follow both — for example, if you also have Restriction B, you must wear your glasses and drive an automatic transmission vehicle.
You can view all restrictions on your license by checking the Ohio BMV website or looking at your license card itself. The restrictions are printed in a specific format that law enforcement can quickly identify during a traffic stop.
Renewing your license with Restriction A in place
When you renew your Ohio driver's license, you will take another vision test. If you wear correction and pass the test, Restriction A will appear on your new license. You do not need to do anything special to keep the restriction — it carries forward automatically as long as your vision test result supports it.
Ohio licenses are valid for eight years for most drivers. During that time, your vision may change. If you get a new prescription and believe your vision has improved enough to remove the restriction, you can request a retest before your renewal date. You do not have to wait until renewal to challenge the restriction.
If you move to another state, that state's DMV will issue you a new license and conduct its own vision test. Restriction A from Ohio does not transfer — the new state will test your vision according to its own standards and may or may not place a restriction on your new license.
Common misunderstandings about Restriction A
Many drivers believe Restriction A means their vision is poor or that they are unsafe to drive. In reality, the restriction straightforward documents that you need correction to meet the legal standard — and with that correction, you are considered safe. Millions of Ohio drivers have Restriction A, and it does not indicate a medical problem or a safety risk when the restriction is followed.
Some people think Restriction A will prevent them from getting certain jobs, such as commercial driving. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) have their own vision standards, which are stricter than regular license standards. If you hold a CDL, you must meet those higher standards, and Restriction A on a regular license does not automatically disqualify you from a CDL — you would need to pass the CDL vision test, which is separate.
Another common misunderstanding is that Restriction A is permanent. It is not. If your vision improves — through new glasses, surgery, or natural change — you can request a retest and have the restriction removed. The restriction only stays as long as your vision test results support it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Restriction A removed before my license expires?
Yes. You can visit any Ohio BMV office and request a vision retest at any time. If your vision now meets the standard without correction, the restriction will be removed and you will receive an updated license. There is a retest fee, typically under $10.
Does Restriction A show up on my driving record or affect my insurance?
Restriction A appears on your license but not on your driving record unless you receive a citation for violating it. Insurance companies do not rate you differently for having the restriction itself, but a citation for driving without required correction can increase your rates.
What if I forget my glasses and get pulled over?
You can be cited for violating Restriction A. The officer may allow you to call someone to bring your glasses, but that is at their discretion. The safest approach is to always have your correction with you when you drive.
Can I get a commercial driver's license if I have Restriction A?
Restriction A on a regular license does not automatically disqualify you from a CDL. However, CDLs have stricter vision standards. You would need to pass the CDL vision test, which is separate from your regular license restriction. Contact the Ohio BMV for CDL vision requirements.
Does Restriction A explore to all types of driving?
Yes. Restriction A applies whenever you operate a motor vehicle on public roads in Ohio — whether you are driving for work, personal use, or any other purpose. The only exception would be private property where public road laws do not explore, but that is rarely relevant in practice.