Restriction A is a corrective lenses requirement
Restriction A on a Missouri driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — whenever you drive. The state issues this restriction when your vision test shows you need correction to drive safely, but your corrected vision meets the legal standard.
This is one of the most common restrictions Missouri issues. It does not limit where you can drive, what vehicles you can operate, or the hours you can drive. It only requires that you have your corrective lenses with you and in use at all times behind the wheel.
If you drive without your glasses or contacts when Restriction A is on your license, you are breaking the law. A police officer can cite you for this violation even if your driving was otherwise safe. The violation is separate from any traffic offense you might commit.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction A means you must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive, with no exceptions.
- Missouri issues this restriction when your uncorrected vision does not meet the legal standard, but your corrected vision does.
- You can remove the restriction by passing a vision test without correction, or by getting a new license after your vision improves.
- Driving without your corrective lenses when Restriction A is on your license is a separate violation from any traffic offense.
How Missouri determines you need Restriction A
When you take your vision test at the Missouri Department of Revenue, the examiner tests your vision both with and without correction. If your uncorrected vision is worse than 20/40 in either eye, but your corrected vision is 20/40 or better, the examiner will add Restriction A to your license.
The 20/40 standard is the legal minimum for driving in Missouri. This means you can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 40 feet. If your corrected vision does not reach 20/40, you will not receive a license at all, regardless of restriction.
You do not have to do anything to get Restriction A — the examiner adds it automatically during your vision test. You will see it printed on your license under the "Restrictions" section, listed as "A" or sometimes spelled out as "Corrective Lenses."
What you must do to comply with Restriction A
Compliance is straightforward: keep your glasses or contacts with you in your vehicle and wear them while driving. You cannot wear sunglasses that are so dark they impair your vision, and contact lenses must be clean and properly fitted.
If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, make sure they are prescribed for driving distance. Some people have separate pairs for reading and driving — if that is your situation, use the pair prescribed for driving when you are behind the wheel.
If your prescription changes, you do not automatically need to update your license. Restriction A stays on your license until you either pass a vision test without correction or reach your license renewal date. At renewal, you will be tested again, and the restriction will be removed if your uncorrected vision has improved.
How to remove Restriction A from your license
You have two paths to remove this restriction. The first is to have your vision improve naturally or through surgery. If your uncorrected vision reaches 20/40 or better in both eyes, you can request a vision retest at any Missouri Department of Revenue office. If you pass, the examiner will issue you a new license without Restriction A.
The second path is to wait for your license to expire and renew it. At renewal, you will take a new vision test. If your uncorrected vision has improved, Restriction A will not appear on your new license. If your vision has not changed, the restriction will be added again.
You cannot straightforward ask to have Restriction A removed without being tested. Missouri requires a current vision test showing your uncorrected vision meets the standard. The retest is free when you do it at a Department of Revenue office.
Restriction A versus other Missouri driving restrictions
Missouri uses a letter system for restrictions, and each letter means something different. Restriction A is purely about vision correction. Other restrictions control what you can drive (like automatic transmission only), when you can drive (like daylight hours only), or where you can drive (like no interstate highways).
You can have multiple restrictions on the same license. For example, you might have Restriction A for corrective lenses and Restriction D for automatic transmission only. Each restriction is independent, and you must follow all of them.
If you are unsure what your other restrictions mean, your license lists them all. You can also call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-751-4509 to ask about any restriction on your license.
What happens if you are caught driving without your corrective lenses
Driving without your glasses or contacts when Restriction A is on your license is a traffic violation in Missouri. An officer can pull you over and cite you for this violation alone, even if you were driving safely and broke no other traffic law.
The violation is typically treated as a minor traffic offense, but it goes on your driving record. Accumulating traffic violations can lead to license suspension or higher insurance rates. If you are in an accident and the officer discovers you were not wearing your corrective lenses, it can complicate your insurance claim or increase your liability.
The best practice is to make wearing your corrective lenses automatic — put them on before you start the car, the same way you would fasten your seatbelt. This removes the chance of forgetting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive at night with Restriction A?
Yes. Restriction A does not limit when you can drive. You must wear your corrective lenses during the day, at night, and in all weather conditions. If you have a separate restriction that limits nighttime driving, that would be a different restriction letter.
Do I need to tell my insurance company about Restriction A?
You should report it to your insurance company when you get your license. Restriction A itself does not usually affect your rates, but it is part of your driving record. Being honest about your license restrictions helps avoid problems if you file a claim.
What if I wear contact lenses and they fall out while I am driving?
If your contact lens falls out while you are driving, pull over safely as soon as possible. You should not continue driving without your corrective lenses. Keep a backup pair of glasses in your vehicle for this reason.
Does Restriction A appear on my driving record that employers see?
Restriction A appears on your license itself, which employers and others can see if they request your driving record. It is not hidden. However, a corrective lenses restriction is common and does not usually affect employment decisions unless the job has specific vision requirements.
Can I get a license without Restriction A if I wear glasses?
Only if your uncorrected vision meets the 20/40 standard. If you need correction to reach that standard, Restriction A will be on your license. There is no way around it — the restriction is based on your actual vision, not your choice to wear glasses.