5DD is a medical restriction code that tells law enforcement you have a condition requiring corrective lenses

The code 5DD on your Florida driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. It is not a restriction on where you can drive or what you can drive; it is a requirement about how you must drive. If you are stopped by police and you are not wearing the corrective lenses listed on your license, you can be cited for a violation, even if your vision is otherwise fine at that moment.

Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles uses these codes to flag medical or physical conditions that affect your ability to operate a vehicle safely. The 5DD code specifically appears when the vision test during your license renewal or initial process shows you need correction to meet the state's vision standard.

Key Takeaways

  • 5DD means you are required to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving, and driving without them is a traffic violation.
  • The code appears on your license after a vision test shows you need correction to meet Florida's minimum vision requirement.
  • You can remove the restriction by passing a vision test without corrective lenses at your next renewal or at a license office visit.
  • Other common Florida license restriction codes work the same way — they flag a condition and what you must do to comply.

How the 5DD code gets on your license

When you renew your Florida driver's license or explore for a new one, the license office administers a vision screening. If you fail the screening without correction but pass it with glasses or contacts, the examiner adds the 5DD code to your license. You do not have to request it; it is added automatically based on the test result.

The same process happens if you are renewing by mail or online — Florida will still require you to pass a vision test, either at a license office or through an approved vision provider. If you wear correction and pass, the code may not appear. If you wear correction and still cannot meet the standard, you may be denied a license or given a more restrictive code.

What happens if you drive without the required correction

Driving without the corrective lenses your license requires is a traffic violation in Florida. An officer who stops you and sees the 5DD code on your license can cite you for violating the restriction, even if you were not involved in an accident or unsafe driving. The citation is separate from any other traffic violation you might receive.

The penalty for violating a license restriction is typically a fine and points on your driving record. The exact amount varies, but it is treated as a moving violation. If you accumulate too many points in a short period, your license can be suspended.

How to remove the 5DD restriction

You can remove the 5DD code by passing a vision test without corrective lenses. This can happen at your next license renewal, or you can visit a Florida license office before your renewal date and request a vision retest. If you pass without correction, the examiner will issue you a new license without the code.

Some people have vision that improves over time, or they may have had a temporary vision problem when they last tested. If you believe your vision has changed, you can ask for a retest at any time. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay a small fee for the retest if you are not renewing.

Other common Florida license restriction codes

Florida uses a system of restriction codes to communicate medical or physical conditions to law enforcement. The code 5DD is one of the most common, but others exist. For example, some codes require you to wear hearing aids, restrict you to daylight driving only, or require you to use an automatic transmission vehicle. Each code tells you what you must do to legally operate your vehicle.

You can find a full list of Florida's restriction codes on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. If you have a code on your license and you are not sure what it means, you can call the department or visit a local license office to ask.

What to do if you disagree with the vision test result

If you believe the vision test was wrong or that your vision has improved since your last test, you have options. You can request an when ready retest at the same license office, though you may have to pay a fee. You can also visit a different license office and request a retest there. If you still disagree after retesting, you can ask to speak with a supervisor or file a complaint with the department.

Some people bring their own eye doctor's report showing they can see without correction. While the license office is not required to accept an outside report, having documentation from an optometrist or ophthalmologist can support your case if you request a retest or appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with contacts instead of glasses if my license says 5DD?

Yes. The 5DD code requires corrective lenses, which includes both glasses and contact lenses. As long as you are wearing one or the other, you are in compliance. You do not have to choose one type over the other.

Will 5DD show up on my license if I wear glasses during the vision test?

Not necessarily. If you wear glasses during the test and pass, the code will not appear. The code only appears if you fail without correction but pass with it. If you always wear glasses, wear them to your vision test.

How long does the 5DD restriction stay on my license?

The restriction stays on your license until you pass a vision test without correction or until you renew your license and pass a new test without correction. There is no automatic expiration date — it remains until you remove it by passing a retest.

What if I lost my glasses and got pulled over?

Driving without the required correction is a violation, even if you lost your glasses by accident. You could receive a citation. If this happens, you should carry your glasses or contacts with you at all times while driving, or keep a backup pair in your vehicle.

Does 5DD affect my insurance rates?

The restriction code itself does not automatically affect your insurance rates. However, if you receive a citation for violating the restriction, that moving violation will appear on your driving record and may increase your rates. Insurance companies look at violations, not the codes themselves.