Restriction B is a corrective lenses requirement

Restriction B on your Florida driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — whenever you drive. The restriction appears as a code on the back of your license card. If you have Restriction B and drive without the required lenses, you are breaking the law and can be cited for a violation, even if your vision is otherwise adequate.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) adds this restriction during your vision screening at the license office. The examiner uses a vision test machine to measure your eyesight. If your uncorrected vision falls below the legal standard but your corrected vision (with glasses or contacts) meets the requirement, the examiner marks Restriction B on your license.

This restriction stays on your license for the full term — typically five or eight years depending on your age — unless you return to the license office and pass a vision test without correction. You do not need to wait for renewal; you can request a vision retest at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive, and driving without them is a traffic violation.
  • The restriction is added when your uncorrected vision is below the legal standard but your corrected vision meets it.
  • You can remove Restriction B by returning to a Florida license office and passing a vision test without correction.
  • The restriction remains on your license through its full term unless you pass a retest or renew your license with improved uncorrected vision.

How the vision test determines Restriction B

When you take your vision screening at the Florida license office, the examiner tests your eyesight in two ways: first without correction, then with correction if needed. Florida law requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye to drive legally. If your uncorrected vision is worse than 20/40 but your vision with glasses or contacts reaches 20/40 or better, you receive Restriction B.

The examiner uses a machine called a vision screener that displays letters or symbols at different sizes. You read them from a set distance, and the machine records your results. If you already wear glasses or contacts, tell the examiner before the test begins so they can test both your uncorrected and corrected vision. This is the only way the examiner can determine whether you need the restriction.

Some people discover Restriction B only after receiving their license in the mail. If you believe the test result was wrong — for example, if you had an eye infection that day or if your prescription has changed — you can request a retest at the license office at no additional charge.

Removing Restriction B from your license

To remove Restriction B, you must visit a Florida license office and pass a vision test without wearing correction. Bring your current license and be prepared to take the same vision screening test you took when you first received the restriction. If your uncorrected vision now meets the 20/40 standard, the restriction will be removed when ready.

You do not have to wait until your license expires to do this. Many people visit the license office after eye surgery, such as LASIK or cataract surgery, which can improve uncorrected vision. Others return after their eyesight naturally changes. There is no fee for a vision retest, and the process takes only a few minutes.

If you fail the retest without correction, the restriction remains. You can request another retest at any time, but you will need to show that something has changed — such as a new eye surgery or a significant change in your vision — for the result to differ.

What happens if you drive without the required correction

Driving with Restriction B on your license but without wearing your glasses or contacts is a traffic violation in Florida. A law enforcement officer can stop you for this violation alone, even if your driving is otherwise safe. The violation is typically cited as driving with a suspended or restricted license, which carries a fine and points on your driving record.

The penalty varies depending on whether this is your first violation and whether the officer cites it as a misdemeanor or traffic infraction. A first offense usually results in a fine between $100 and $500 and three points on your record. Repeat violations carry higher fines and can affect your insurance rates or lead to license suspension.

Beyond legal consequences, driving without required correction puts you and others at risk. Your vision is the primary tool you use to detect hazards, judge distance, and react to road conditions. If you cannot see clearly enough to drive safely without correction, the restriction exists to protect everyone on the road.

Restriction B versus other vision-related restrictions

Florida uses several restriction codes for vision-related issues, and Restriction B is the most common. Restriction C requires you to wear corrective lenses and also limits you to daytime driving only — no driving between sunset and sunrise. This restriction is added when your corrected vision is adequate but your uncorrected vision is significantly impaired, or when you have other vision conditions that make night driving unsafe.

Restriction D requires an outside left mirror, used for drivers with limited peripheral vision or other vision conditions that affect side awareness. Restriction E requires an outside right mirror. These restrictions are less common than Restriction B and are typically added only when the examiner identifies a specific vision problem beyond straightforward nearsightedness or farsightedness.

If you have Restriction B and are concerned that you might also need additional restrictions — for example, if you feel unsafe driving at night — you can request a comprehensive vision evaluation at the license office. The examiner can assess whether additional restrictions are necessary for your safety.

Renewing your license with Restriction B

When you renew your Florida driver's license, you will take another vision screening test. If you still need correction to meet the legal vision standard, Restriction B will be renewed on your new license. If your uncorrected vision has improved — through surgery, natural change, or a different prescription — you may pass the test without correction and have the restriction removed.

You can renew your license online, by mail, or in person at a license office, depending on your age and how long it has been since your last renewal. However, if you renew by mail or online, you will not take a vision test. The restriction from your current license will carry over to your new license automatically. To have the restriction removed during a mail or online renewal, you must first visit a license office for a vision retest, then complete your renewal.

If you are renewing in person at a license office, the vision screening is part of the renewal process, so you will have the opportunity to retest without correction at that time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with contact lenses instead of glasses if I have Restriction B?

Yes. Restriction B requires corrective lenses — either glasses or contact lenses. As long as you are wearing one or the other while driving, you are in compliance. Many people with Restriction B choose contacts for convenience or comfort while driving.

Will Restriction B affect my car insurance rates?

Restriction B itself does not typically affect your insurance rates. However, if you receive a traffic citation for driving without the required correction, that violation will be reported to your insurance company and may increase your rates. Maintaining compliance with the restriction protects both your safety and your insurance costs.

What if I got Restriction B but I do not think I need glasses to drive safely?

The vision standard exists because research shows that drivers with uncorrected vision below 20/40 have higher accident rates. If you believe the test was inaccurate, you can request a retest at the license office. If you pass without correction, the restriction is removed. If you fail again, the restriction remains in place for your protection and the protection of others on the road.

Does Restriction B appear on my license record that employers or others can see?

Restriction B appears on the back of your physical license card and on your driving record. Employers who conduct background checks, insurance companies, and law enforcement can see it. It is not a mark against your character — it is straightforward a safety requirement — but it is visible to anyone who reviews your license or record.

Can I get Restriction B removed before my next renewal?

Yes. You can visit any Florida license office at any time and request a vision retest. There is no waiting period and no fee. If your uncorrected vision now meets the legal standard, the restriction will be removed when ready and a new license will be issued.