Restriction C is a corrective lens requirement
Restriction C on your Colorado driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. The restriction appears on your license as a printed code and is enforceable by law. If you are stopped by police and are not wearing the required lenses, you can be cited for a violation, even if your vision would be acceptable with correction.
This restriction is placed on your license during the vision screening at the DMV. The examiner tests your uncorrected vision first, then tests your vision with correction. If you do not meet Colorado's minimum vision standard without correction but do meet it with lenses, Restriction C is added to your license.
Colorado's minimum vision standard is 20/40 in each eye, or 20/30 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, with or without correction. If you fall below that standard even with correction, you will not be issued a license at all. Restriction C applies only when corrected vision meets the standard but uncorrected vision does not.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction C requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle in Colorado.
- The restriction is added during your vision test at the DMV if your uncorrected vision does not meet the 20/40 standard but your corrected vision does.
- Driving without the required lenses when Restriction C is on your license is a traffic violation and can result in a citation.
- You can request removal of Restriction C by passing a vision test without correction, or by having an eye care professional document that your uncorrected vision now meets Colorado's standard.
How the vision test determines Restriction C
During your Colorado driver's license exam, the DMV vision screener tests your eyesight in a specific order. First, they test your vision without any correction — no glasses, no contacts. If you pass this uncorrected test, you receive your license with no restrictions related to vision.
If you do not pass the uncorrected test, the screener then tests your vision with correction. If you pass with glasses or contacts, Restriction C is added to your license. This means your license is valid only when you are wearing the lenses you used during the test.
The screener documents the type of correction used — glasses or contacts — and this information is recorded with your restriction code. You must wear the same type of correction you were tested with, or a stronger prescription. Wearing a weaker prescription than what you were tested with, or switching from glasses to contacts without being retested, can result in a violation if stopped.
Removing Restriction C from your license
You can remove Restriction C in two ways: by passing a vision test without correction, or by providing documentation from an eye care professional that your uncorrected vision now meets Colorado's standard.
The first route is to return to the DMV and request a vision retest. You do not need an appointment for a vision screening in Colorado — you can walk in during business hours. Tell the examiner you want to test your uncorrected vision. If you pass, the restriction is removed on the spot, and you receive an updated license. There is no fee for a vision retest.
The second route is to visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist and ask them to document your uncorrected vision in writing. The letter should state your uncorrected vision measurement in each eye and confirm it meets or exceeds 20/40. Bring this letter to the DMV, and the restriction can be removed without retesting. This route is useful if your vision has improved due to eye surgery or other medical treatment.
What happens if you drive without the required lenses
Driving with Restriction C on your license but without wearing corrective lenses is a traffic violation in Colorado. The violation is typically cited as driving in violation of license restrictions. The penalty is a fine, and the violation appears on your driving record.
If you are stopped and cannot produce the required lenses, the officer may also issue a citation for driving without a valid license, depending on the circumstances. Multiple violations of the same restriction can lead to license suspension or other escalated penalties.
Beyond legal consequences, driving without required correction poses a safety risk. Your uncorrected vision does not meet Colorado's minimum standard, which means you may not see hazards, road signs, or other vehicles clearly enough to drive safely. The restriction exists to protect you and others on the road.
Restriction C versus other vision-related restrictions
Colorado uses several restriction codes for vision-related conditions. Restriction C specifically means corrective lenses are required. Other restrictions address different vision issues:
- Restriction B limits you to daylight driving only, usually because your vision or ability to see in low light does not meet the standard for unrestricted driving.
- Restriction D requires you to use an outside mirror on both sides of the vehicle, typically for drivers with limited peripheral vision.
- Restriction E requires an automatic transmission vehicle, often for drivers with limited mobility or control.
You can have multiple restrictions on a single license. For example, you might have both Restriction C (corrective lenses) and Restriction B (daylight driving only) if your vision and night-driving ability both fall short of the unrestricted standard.
Getting tested for Restriction C at the DMV
When you renew your license or explore for a new one in Colorado, you will be asked to take a vision test. The test is quick — usually under five minutes — and is performed by a DMV vision screener, not an eye doctor. The screener uses a machine called a visual acuity tester or an eye chart.
You do not need to make an appointment for a vision screening. Walk-in vision tests are available at all Colorado DMV offices during regular business hours. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you have a recent eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist, you can bring that documentation as well, though it is not required for the DMV screening.
If you fail the vision test at the DMV, you have the right to have your vision retested by a licensed eye care professional and submit that result to the DMV. This is useful if you believe the DMV screening was inaccurate or if you have had a recent change in your prescription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear contacts instead of glasses if my license says Restriction C?
Yes, as long as you were tested with contacts or your contacts provide the same or stronger correction as the glasses you were tested with. If you were tested with glasses, switching to contacts without being retested is technically a violation, though enforcement is rare. To be safe, return to the DMV for a retest with contacts if you want to switch.
Does Restriction C affect my insurance rates?
Restriction C itself does not automatically raise your insurance rates. However, if you receive a citation for driving without the required lenses, that violation will appear on your driving record and may increase your rates. Maintain compliance with the restriction to avoid citations.
What if I got Restriction C years ago and my vision has improved?
You can have your vision retested at any DMV office at no cost. If your uncorrected vision now meets Colorado's standard, the restriction will be removed. You do not have to wait for your license to expire to request a retest.
Can I get a license without Restriction C if I have poor uncorrected vision?
No. If your uncorrected vision does not meet the standard, you must either wear corrective lenses and accept Restriction C, or you cannot be licensed to drive in Colorado. There is no exception to the vision standard.
If I have Restriction C, do I need to carry my glasses in the car?
You must wear your glasses or contacts while driving, so yes, they should be in the car with you. If you are stopped and cannot produce the required lenses, you can be cited. Keep your lenses accessible and in good condition.