Restriction A is a corrective lenses requirement
Restriction A means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. The restriction appears on your license as a condition of your driving privilege, and driving without the required lenses is a violation, even if you feel you can see well enough.
This restriction is issued when the vision test at the DMV shows you need correction to meet your state's minimum vision standard for driving. The standard varies slightly by state, but most require 20/40 vision or better in each eye, with or without correction. If you cannot meet that standard without glasses or contacts, the DMV adds Restriction A to your license.
The restriction protects you and other drivers by ensuring you have adequate vision for the road. It is one of the most common restrictions issued, and it does not limit where you can drive or what type of vehicle you can operate — only that you must wear your lenses while doing so.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction A requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses whenever you drive, and it is a legal condition of your license.
- The DMV issues this restriction when your uncorrected vision does not meet the state minimum, but your corrected vision does.
- Driving without your required lenses while Restriction A is on your license counts as a traffic violation in most states.
- You can request the restriction be removed if your vision improves, but you will need to pass a new vision test at the DMV.
How the DMV determines if you need Restriction A
During your vision screening at the DMV, the examiner tests your eyesight with and without correction. If your uncorrected vision falls below your state's minimum standard but your corrected vision meets or exceeds it, the examiner will add Restriction A to your license.
The vision test is usually done with a machine called a visual acuity screener, though some DMVs still use a traditional eye chart. You read letters or symbols at a set distance, and the examiner records whether you can see them clearly. If you wear glasses or contacts, you wear them during the test — that is the corrected vision measurement.
You do not need a prescription from an eye doctor to get your license. The DMV screening is separate from an eye exam. However, if you have not had your vision checked by an optometrist or ophthalmologist recently, it is worth doing so before your DMV visit, especially if you know your vision is not sharp.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
Driving without the lenses required by Restriction A is a traffic violation. The penalty varies by state but typically includes a fine, points on your driving record, or both. Some states treat it as a minor infraction; others classify it more seriously.
If you are pulled over and the officer notices you are not wearing glasses or contacts, they can cite you for violating the restriction. You may also face liability issues if you are in an accident — your insurance company or a court could argue that driving without your required correction contributed to the crash.
Beyond the legal consequences, driving without correction when you need it puts you at real risk. Reduced vision increases your reaction time and makes it harder to spot hazards, read road signs, or judge distances accurately.
Removing Restriction A from your license
You can request that Restriction A be removed if your vision has improved. To do this, you will need to pass a new vision test at the DMV that shows your uncorrected vision now meets your state's minimum standard.
Schedule a vision screening appointment at your local DMV — most states allow you to book this online or by phone. Bring your current license and any required ID. During the screening, the examiner will test your vision without correction first. If you pass, the restriction can be removed on the spot or within a few days, depending on your state's process.
If your vision has not improved on its own, Restriction A will remain. Some people explore vision correction surgery (like LASIK) to improve their uncorrected vision, but that is a personal medical decision with its own risks and costs.
Other common restrictions and how they differ
Restriction A is one of several conditions the DMV can place on a license. Other restrictions might limit the times you can drive (for example, no driving after dark), the types of vehicles you can operate, or the roads you can use.
Restriction B, for instance, often means you cannot drive on highways or freeways. Restriction D might limit you to daylight driving only. These restrictions are issued based on age, medical conditions, or test performance — not vision alone.
If you have multiple restrictions, each one will be listed on your license. You must follow all of them. Violating any restriction carries the same legal consequences as violating Restriction A.
What to do before your DMV appointment if you wear correction
If you already wear glasses or contacts and are getting your license for the first time or renewing it, bring your current glasses or contacts with you to the DMV. You will need them for the vision test.
If your prescription has changed recently, consider getting an updated eye exam before your DMV visit. An outdated prescription might cause you to fail the vision test, even though current correction would allow you to pass. This is especially important if you have not seen an eye doctor in more than a year.
If you do not currently wear correction but suspect you might need it, a quick eye exam beforehand can save you a trip back to the DMV. Many optometrists and ophthalmologists can fit you with glasses or contacts the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with Restriction A if I forget my glasses at home?
No. Driving without your required lenses is a violation, even if you forget them. If you are pulled over, you can be cited. If you realize you have forgotten them, turn around and go back home or find a safe place to stop rather than continuing to drive.
Does Restriction A mean I cannot drive on highways?
Restriction A does not limit where you can drive — only that you must wear your lenses. You can drive on highways, local roads, and anywhere else with your glasses or contacts on. If you had a restriction on highway driving, it would be listed separately on your license.
Will Restriction A go away when I renew my license?
No. The restriction stays on your license until you request it be removed and pass a new vision test without correction. When you renew, the DMV will ask you to take another vision screening. If you still need correction, Restriction A will be renewed on your new license.
What if I wear contact lenses — does Restriction A still explore?
Yes. Restriction A applies to any corrective lenses, including contacts. You must wear your contacts every time you drive, just as you would with glasses. The restriction does not specify which type of correction you use.
Can I get a restricted license if I do not want to wear glasses?
No. If your uncorrected vision does not meet your state's minimum standard, you cannot get an unrestricted license. Your options are to wear the required correction or not drive. Some people choose vision correction surgery to improve their uncorrected vision, but that is a personal choice with medical and financial considerations.