Restriction 9 is a requirement to wear corrective lenses while driving

Restriction 9 on a Virginia driver license means you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses every time you drive. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) places this restriction on your license when the vision test shows you need correction to drive safely. If you drive without wearing the required lenses, you are breaking the law — even if you feel you can see well enough.

The restriction appears as a code on the back of your physical license card. It does not prevent you from driving or limit where you can drive. It only requires that you have your corrective lenses on your face while the vehicle is moving. Police can cite you for violating this restriction if they stop you and you are not wearing them, even if your driving was otherwise legal.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction 9 requires you to wear glasses or contacts every time you operate a vehicle, and violating it can result in a traffic citation.
  • The DMV assigns this restriction based on your vision test results at the time you renew or first obtain your license.
  • You can request a new vision test at any DMV office if your vision has improved and you no longer need correction.
  • Driving without the required lenses while Restriction 9 is on your license is a separate violation from any other traffic offense.

How the DMV decides to place Restriction 9

When you take the vision screening at a Virginia DMV office, the examiner checks your eyesight using a standard eye chart. If you cannot read the required line of letters clearly without correction, the examiner will ask whether you wear glasses or contacts. If you do, they will retest you while you are wearing them. If your vision meets the standard with correction but not without it, Restriction 9 goes on your license.

The restriction stays on your license for the full validity period — usually five years for a standard driver license, or eight years if you are over 65. You do not have to do anything to keep it active. It is automatic once it is printed on your card.

What happens if you are stopped while violating Restriction 9

If a police officer stops you and you are not wearing your required corrective lenses, the officer can issue you a citation for violating the restriction. This is a separate offense from whatever else may have prompted the stop. You could receive a citation even if your driving was otherwise safe and legal.

The penalty for violating Restriction 9 is typically a fine. The exact amount varies by locality, but it is usually treated as a minor traffic violation. A conviction can also add points to your driving record, which may affect your insurance rates or lead to license suspension if you accumulate too many points in a short time.

Removing Restriction 9 from your license

If your vision has improved and you no longer need corrective lenses to see clearly, you can request a new vision test at any Virginia DMV office. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay the standard vision screening fee, which is typically a few dollars. The examiner will test your vision without correction. If you pass, the DMV will issue you a new license without Restriction 9.

You do not have to wait until your license expires to remove the restriction. You can request the test at any time. However, you must continue to wear your lenses every time you drive until your new license arrives in the mail, which usually takes one to two weeks after you pass the test.

Restriction 9 versus other vision-related restrictions

Virginia uses other vision codes on driver licenses as well. Restriction 8 requires you to wear a hearing aid if you are deaf or hard of hearing. Restriction 10 limits you to daylight driving only — you cannot drive between sunset and sunrise. Restriction 11 means you cannot drive on interstate highways. These are separate restrictions with different rules and consequences.

If you have Restriction 9 and also have one of these other restrictions, you must follow all of them. For example, if you have both Restriction 9 (corrective lenses) and Restriction 10 (daylight only), you must wear your lenses and only drive during daylight hours.

What to do before your next renewal

If Restriction 9 is on your current license and you want to remove it, do not wait until your renewal date. Visit a DMV office now and request a vision screening. Bring your license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment for the screening fee. The process takes about 10 minutes.

If you pass the vision test without correction, the DMV will print a new license on the spot or mail it to you within one to two weeks, depending on the office. If you do not pass, you will keep Restriction 9 and must continue to wear your lenses while driving. You can request another test after 30 days if you believe your vision has changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with Restriction 9 if I wear contacts instead of glasses?

Yes. Restriction 9 requires corrective lenses, which includes both eyeglasses and contact lenses. As long as you are wearing one or the other, you are following the restriction. You do not have to wear the same type of correction you wore during your vision test.

What if I forgot my glasses and got pulled over?

You can be cited for violating Restriction 9. The officer does not have to prove your vision is actually bad — only that the restriction is on your license and you were not wearing correction. You would need to contest the citation in court if you believe it was issued in error.

Do I have to tell the DMV if I get new glasses or contacts?

No. Restriction 9 does not require you to update the DMV when your prescription changes. The restriction straightforward means you must wear some form of corrective lenses while driving. You can change glasses or contacts as needed without notifying the DMV.

Can Restriction 9 be placed on my license after I already have one?

Yes. If you renew your license and fail the vision test, the DMV can add Restriction 9 even if it was not on your previous license. This happens when vision changes over time. You would receive notice of the new restriction when your renewed license arrives.