Restriction A is a requirement to wear corrective lenses while driving
Restriction A on your Ohio driver's license means you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses every time you drive. The restriction appears on your license as a condition of your driving privilege, and violating it — driving without your corrective lenses when the restriction is in place — is a traffic violation.
Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles adds this restriction when the vision screening at the license bureau shows you need correction to drive safely. The restriction stays on your license until you pass a vision test without it, or until your license expires and you renew it.
This is one of the most common restrictions on Ohio licenses. 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 contacts every time you operate a vehicle, and driving without them is a traffic violation.
- The restriction is added based on your vision test results at the license bureau and appears printed on your license card.
- You can remove the restriction by passing a vision test without corrective lenses at any Ohio license bureau location.
- The restriction does not expire on its own — it remains until you test out of it or renew your license and pass vision screening again.
How Ohio determines if you need Restriction A
When you take a vision test at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the examiner checks your visual acuity — how clearly you can see at different distances. If your vision meets the legal standard only when you are wearing glasses or contacts, the examiner will add Restriction A to your license.
Ohio's vision standard for driving is 20/40 vision in each eye, or 20/30 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, with or without correction. If you cannot meet that standard without corrective lenses, you get the restriction. The restriction means you have met the standard with your lenses on.
You do not have to ask for the restriction or sign anything special. It is added automatically during the licensing process if your test results show you need it.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
Driving with Restriction A on your license but without your glasses or contacts is a traffic violation in Ohio. A police officer can cite you for it if they stop you, and the violation can result in a fine. The fine amount depends on whether it is your first offense or a repeat violation.
Beyond the fine, a violation can affect your driving record and may increase your insurance rates. If you are cited multiple times for the same violation, it can contribute to license suspension or other penalties.
The practical reason for the restriction is safety — if your vision was tested and found to be unsafe without correction, driving without that correction puts you and others at risk. The restriction exists to keep you and other drivers protected.
How to remove Restriction A from your license
You can remove Restriction A by visiting any Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles location and taking a vision test without your corrective lenses. If you pass the test — meaning your uncorrected vision now meets Ohio's legal standard — the restriction will be removed from your license.
You do not need to schedule an appointment or fill out special paperwork. Walk in during regular business hours, tell the staff you want to test out of Restriction A, and take the vision screening. If you pass, the restriction is removed when ready, and you will receive an updated license card in the mail within a few days.
If you do not pass the test without your lenses, the restriction stays in place. You can try again at any time, but your vision will need to have genuinely improved for the result to change.
What Restriction A looks like on your license card
On your Ohio driver's license, Restriction A appears in the "Restrictions" section of the card, usually printed near the bottom. It will be listed straightforward as "A" or spelled out as "Corrective Lenses Required," depending on your license format.
If you have other restrictions — for example, Restriction B (automatic transmission only) or Restriction D (outside mirror required) — they will all appear in the same section. You can have multiple restrictions at once.
The restriction is visible to police officers during a traffic stop, so they can see when ready that you are required to wear corrective lenses. This is why it matters to comply with it.
Restriction A versus other common Ohio license restrictions
Ohio uses a lettered system for driving restrictions, and each letter represents a different requirement. Restriction A is about vision correction. Restriction B means you can only drive an automatic transmission vehicle. Restriction D means you must have an outside mirror on your vehicle. Restriction E means you cannot drive a commercial vehicle.
Some restrictions are about the vehicle you drive; others are about your physical ability to drive safely. Restriction A falls into the second category — it is about your ability to see the road clearly. Unlike some restrictions that might eventually expire or be removed based on time, Restriction A stays until you demonstrate your vision has improved.
What to do if you think Restriction A was added by mistake
If you believe your vision test was scored incorrectly or that you should not have received Restriction A, you can request a retest at any Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles location. Bring your current glasses or contacts if you wear them, and ask to retake the vision screening.
The retest is free and takes only a few minutes. If the second test shows different results, the restriction can be adjusted or removed based on the new score. If the second test confirms the first result, the restriction remains.
You do not need a doctor's note or letter to request a retest — the Bureau of Motor Vehicles vision test is the standard used in Ohio for licensing decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with Restriction A if I forget my glasses at home?
No. If Restriction A is on your license, you must have your corrective lenses with you and be wearing them while driving. Forgetting them is not an excuse, and you can be cited for the violation. Keep your glasses or contacts in your vehicle or on you at all times when you drive.
Does Restriction A mean I cannot drive at night?
No. Restriction A only requires corrective lenses; it does not restrict the time of day you can drive. You can drive at night, during the day, or at any hour, as long as you are wearing your glasses or contacts. If you need additional restrictions for night driving, that would be a separate restriction.
What if my vision changes and I need stronger glasses?
You can get new glasses or contacts from an eye doctor without notifying the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Restriction A straightforward requires that you wear corrective lenses — it does not specify the strength. As long as you are wearing lenses that correct your vision, you are in compliance with the restriction.
Will Restriction A go away when I renew my license?
Not automatically. When you renew your license, you will take another vision test. If you still cannot meet Ohio's vision standard without corrective lenses, Restriction A will be added to your new license. If your vision has improved and you can now pass without correction, the restriction will not appear on the renewed license.
Can I get a hardship license if I lose my glasses?
No. A hardship license is for people whose licenses have been suspended or revoked. If you have Restriction A and lose your glasses, you need to get a replacement pair or contacts before you drive. You cannot legally operate a vehicle without them if the restriction is in place.