Restriction A is a corrective lenses requirement
Restriction A on your Florida driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. The restriction appears on the front of your license card and is enforceable by law. If you are stopped by police and are not wearing the required lenses, you can be cited for driving with a restriction violation, even if your vision is otherwise legal to drive.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) places Restriction A on your license based on the results of your vision screening during the license exam or renewal. The restriction stays on your license until you remove it by passing a vision test without correction, or until your license expires and you renew without the restriction.
Restriction A is one of the most common restrictions issued in Florida. It does not limit where you can drive, what hours you can drive, or what type of vehicle you can operate — only that you must have corrective lenses in place while driving.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction A requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle, and violating it can result in a citation.
- DHSMV places the restriction on your license after your vision screening shows you need correction to meet Florida's legal vision standard.
- You can remove Restriction A by visiting a DMV office and passing a vision test without corrective lenses, or by waiting until your license renewal cycle.
- Wearing the required lenses does not restrict your driving hours, routes, or vehicle type — only that correction must be worn.
How Restriction A gets placed on your license
During your driver's license exam or renewal, you take a vision screening at the DMV office. The examiner uses a vision machine or chart to measure your visual acuity. Florida law requires a minimum corrected visual acuity of 20/40 in each eye to hold an unrestricted license.
If your vision without correction falls below the legal standard but your vision with glasses or contacts meets or exceeds 20/40, the examiner will place Restriction A on your license. This happens automatically — you do not have to request it, and it is not optional. The restriction is printed on the front of your license card in the restrictions section.
If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, you may also receive a note on your license specifying that correction is required. This is part of the same restriction and means the same thing: corrective lenses must be worn while driving.
Removing Restriction A from your license
You can remove Restriction A at any time by visiting a Florida DMV office and requesting a vision retest. You will take the vision screening without wearing corrective lenses. If your uncorrected vision meets Florida's legal standard of 20/40 or better in each eye, the restriction will be removed when ready and a new license card will be issued.
There is no fee to request a vision retest for restriction removal. However, if a new license card is issued, you may pay the standard license replacement fee, which varies by license type. A standard Class D (passenger vehicle) license replacement costs around $25, though fees change and you should confirm the current amount with your local DMV office.
If your uncorrected vision does not meet the standard, the restriction remains and you will be told the results. You can retest at any time, but your vision will need to improve to pass without correction.
What happens if you drive without the required lenses
Driving with Restriction A on your license but without wearing corrective lenses is a violation of Florida law. A law enforcement officer can cite you for this violation during a traffic stop, even if your driving was otherwise safe and legal.
The citation is typically classified as a non-moving violation, meaning it does not add points to your driving record under Florida's point system. However, you will still face a fine, which varies by county but typically ranges from $50 to $150. You may also be required to appear in court or pay the fine by mail.
If you receive a citation for violating Restriction A, you can contest it in traffic court. Bringing proof that you now have corrective lenses (such as a current eyeglass prescription or contact lens fitting) may help your case, though the violation occurred at the time of the stop.
Restriction A and license renewal
When you renew your Florida driver's license, you will take another vision screening. If you are still wearing corrective lenses and your corrected vision meets the legal standard, Restriction A will remain on your new license. If your uncorrected vision has improved and now meets the standard, the restriction will not be placed on your renewed license.
You do not have to do anything special to keep Restriction A during renewal — it carries forward automatically if the vision screening shows you still need correction. If you want to attempt to remove it before your renewal date, you can request a standalone vision retest at any DMV office.
Florida allows online renewal for some license types, but online renewal does not include a vision screening. If you renew online, your current restrictions remain unchanged. To update your restrictions, you must visit a DMV office in person.
Restriction A versus other Florida license restrictions
Florida issues several types of restrictions, and they serve different purposes. Restriction A (corrective lenses) is about vision correction. Other restrictions include Restriction B (automatic transmission only), Restriction C (outside mirrors required), and Restriction D (daylight driving only). Some drivers have multiple restrictions on a single license.
Restriction A is the only one that requires you to wear or use something while driving. The others restrict the type of vehicle you can operate or the conditions under which you can drive. If you have Restriction A and another restriction, you must comply with both.
You cannot remove one restriction without meeting the specific requirements for that restriction. Removing Restriction A requires passing a vision test without correction. Removing a different restriction requires meeting the criteria for that restriction — for example, Restriction B can only be removed by taking a driving test in a vehicle with a manual transmission.
Common mistakes with Restriction A
The most common mistake is forgetting to wear corrective lenses while driving and assuming the restriction is not enforced. It is enforceable, and officers can cite you. Keep your glasses or contacts with you whenever you drive, even for short trips.
Another mistake is not knowing you have the restriction. Some drivers receive their license in the mail after renewal and do not read the restrictions section carefully. Check your license card when you receive it and confirm what restrictions appear. If you are unsure what a restriction means, ask at your next DMV visit or call your local office.
A third mistake is believing that Restriction A will automatically disappear at a certain age or after a certain time. It does not. The restriction remains until you remove it by passing a vision test without correction, or until you renew your license and your vision has improved enough to pass without correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with contact lenses instead of glasses to satisfy Restriction A?
Yes. Restriction A requires corrective lenses, and contact lenses count as corrective lenses. You can wear either glasses or contacts to comply with the restriction. You do not need to wear the same type of correction you used during your vision screening.
If I get LASIK or cataract surgery, can I remove Restriction A?
Yes, if your uncorrected vision after surgery meets Florida's legal standard of 20/40 or better. You will need to visit a DMV office and pass a vision screening without correction. Bring documentation of your surgery if you wish, though the DMV will test your current vision regardless of your medical history.
Does Restriction A mean I cannot drive at night?
No. Restriction A only requires that you wear corrective lenses while driving. It does not limit your driving hours, routes, or the time of day you can drive. If you need additional restrictions on your license (such as daylight driving only), those would be separate restrictions.
What if I lost my glasses and cannot find them before I need to drive?
You should not drive without the required corrective lenses. If you have lost your glasses, obtain a replacement pair or use contact lenses before driving. Driving with Restriction A but without correction is a violation, even if the loss was accidental.
Will Restriction A affect my car insurance rates?
Restriction A itself does not typically affect insurance rates. Insurance companies focus on your driving record and claims history, not on restrictions. However, if you receive a citation for violating the restriction, that citation could affect your rates depending on your insurance company's policy.