What "Corrective Lenses" Means on Your Driver's License

What the Corrective Lenses Restriction Means

A corrective lenses restriction on your driver's license means you are legally required to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive. The restriction appears as a code on your license — usually "01" or similar, depending on your state — and it is a condition of your driving privilege, not a suggestion.

If you are stopped by police and you are driving without the corrective lenses you are restricted to wear, you can be cited for a license violation, even if your vision is otherwise fine. The citation is separate from any traffic offense and can result in fines, points on your record, or both.

The restriction is placed on your license during the vision screening at the DMV. If you fail the vision test without correction but pass it with glasses or contacts, the DMV will add the restriction automatically. You do not have to request it.

Key Takeaways

A corrective lenses restriction means you must wear glasses or contacts every time you drive, and driving without them is a violation even if you are not in an accident.
The restriction appears as a code on your license and is added by the DMV after you fail the vision test without correction but pass it with correction.
You can remove the restriction by passing the vision test without correction at any DMV office, which requires a new vision screening and usually a fee.
Some states allow you to choose between glasses and contacts; others restrict you to one or the other based on what you wore during the test.
If you lose or damage your corrective lenses while driving, you should pull over safely and not continue driving until you have them back on.

How the Vision Test Determines the Restriction

During your license test or renewal, the DMV vision screener will test your vision without any correction first. The standard is usually 20/40 vision or better in at least one eye without glasses or contacts. If you do not meet that standard, the screener will then test you with your glasses or contacts on.

If you pass the test with correction but failed without it, the DMV will place the corrective lenses restriction on your license. The restriction applies to whichever type of correction you were wearing during the test — glasses, contacts, or both, depending on what you wore and what your state's rules allow.

Some states are strict about this: if you were tested wearing only glasses, your restriction may say "glasses only," and you cannot legally wear contacts instead. Other states allow either glasses or contacts as long as you wear one of them. Check your license to see exactly what your restriction says.

Removing the Corrective Lenses Restriction

To remove a corrective lenses restriction, you must return to the DMV and pass the vision test without any correction. This means you will need to take the vision screening without glasses or contacts and score 20/40 or better in at least one eye, depending on your state's standard.

If you have had vision correction surgery (LASIK, PRK, or similar), you may now pass the test without correction. Schedule a vision screening appointment at your local DMV office. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay a fee for the vision test and license reissuance — this varies by state but is usually between $10 and $30.

After you pass the test without correction, the DMV will issue you a new license without the restriction. This typically takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on whether you receive a temporary license on the spot or have to wait for the new card to arrive by mail.

What Happens If You Drive Without Your Corrective Lenses

Driving without the corrective lenses you are restricted to wear is a traffic violation in all states. You can be pulled over and cited even if you are not involved in an accident and your driving appears safe. The violation is separate from any other traffic offense.

Penalties vary by state but typically include a fine (often $50 to $200), points added to your driving record, and sometimes a requirement to complete a traffic safety course. A second or third violation can result in higher fines and may trigger a license suspension review.

If you are in an accident while driving without your required corrective lenses, your insurance company may deny your claim or reduce your payout, and you may face additional liability. The violation also becomes part of your driving history and can affect your insurance rates for years.

Corrective Lenses Restrictions Across States

Most states use a similar system for corrective lenses restrictions, but the codes and specific rules vary. Some common codes are "01" (corrective lenses required), "02" (corrective lenses required — daylight only), and "03" (corrective lenses required — outside mirror required). A few states use letter codes instead.

A handful of states allow a "daylight only" restriction, which means you are restricted to wearing corrective lenses during daylight hours. This is rare and usually only issued if your vision test results show you have adequate vision in low light with correction but not without it.

The vision standard itself also varies slightly: most states use 20/40 as the minimum, but some use 20/50 or 20/60 in the better eye. If you are moving to a new state or renewing your license in a different state, you may need to retake the vision test, and the restriction may change based on that state's standards.

Contacts, Glasses, and Bifocals: What Your Restriction Covers

If your restriction says "corrective lenses," it typically covers glasses, contact lenses, or both, depending on what you wore during your test and your state's rules. Some states are flexible: if you were tested wearing glasses, you can still wear contacts instead, as long as you wear one or the other.

Other states are strict: your restriction may specify "glasses only" or "contacts only" based on what you wore during the vision screening. If you want to switch from glasses to contacts (or vice versa) and your state restricts you to one type, you will need to return to the DMV for a new vision test while wearing the other type of correction.

Bifocals and progressive lenses count as corrective lenses and satisfy the restriction. If you wear bifocals or progressives, make sure to wear them every time you drive, just as you would with single-vision glasses.

Renewing Your License With a Corrective Lenses Restriction

When you renew your license, the DMV will ask whether your vision has changed and may require you to take another vision test. If you still need corrective lenses and pass the test with them on, the restriction will be renewed on your new license automatically.

If you have had vision correction surgery or your vision has improved for any other reason, tell the DMV staff during renewal. They can give you a vision test without correction right then. If you pass, they will issue your new license without the restriction.

Some states allow online or mail-in renewals for people whose licenses are not expiring soon and who have no changes to report. If you have a corrective lenses restriction and you renew by mail or online, the restriction will carry over to your new license. You can only remove it by visiting the DMV in person for a vision test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a license without taking the vision test if I already wear glasses?

No. You must take the vision test at the DMV regardless of whether you wear glasses. The test determines whether you need a corrective lenses restriction. If you pass the test without correction, you will not get a restriction. If you fail without correction but pass with it, the restriction will be added.

What if I forget my glasses at home and get pulled over?

You can be cited for driving with a corrective lenses restriction violation. The officer will likely issue you a ticket. You should not continue driving without your corrective lenses. Pull over safely and arrange for someone to bring your glasses to you, or call for a ride.

Do I need to tell my insurance company about the corrective lenses restriction?

You do not need to report the restriction itself, but if you are in an accident and you were not wearing your required corrective lenses, you must disclose that to your insurance company. Failing to do so can result in a claim denial.

Can I remove the restriction by getting LASIK surgery?

Yes. After LASIK or similar vision correction surgery, you can return to the DMV and take a vision test without correction. If you pass, the restriction will be removed and you will receive a new license. Bring proof of your surgery if the DMV asks.

Does the corrective lenses restriction affect my ability to get a commercial driver's license?

A corrective lenses restriction on a regular license does not automatically disqualify you from a commercial license, but you will still need to pass the vision test for the commercial license. If you fail the commercial vision test without correction, you will get a corrective lenses restriction on your commercial license as well.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.