Restriction 01 is a corrective lenses requirement
Restriction 01 on your Louisiana driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. The restriction appears as a code on the front or back of your license card. If you have this restriction and drive without your corrective lenses, you can be cited for a violation, even if your vision is otherwise legal to drive.
Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles adds this restriction during the vision screening at the DMV. The examiner tests your vision with and without correction. If you pass the vision test only when wearing glasses or contacts, the examiner marks Restriction 01 on your license. This protects you and other drivers by ensuring you meet the state's minimum vision standard while driving.
The restriction stays on your license for its full validity period — typically four years for a standard license — unless you request a vision retest and pass without correction. You do not need to do anything special to keep the restriction active; it is straightforward a condition of your license.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction 01 requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle in Louisiana.
- The restriction is added during your vision screening at the DMV if you pass the test only with corrective lenses.
- Driving without your corrective lenses when Restriction 01 is on your license is a traffic violation and can result in a citation.
- You can request a vision retest at any time to have the restriction removed if your vision has improved and you pass without correction.
How the vision screening determines Restriction 01
When you visit the Louisiana DMV to get a new license or renew an existing one, you go through a vision screening before your photo is taken. The examiner uses a vision machine or chart to test your sight at a standard distance, usually 20 feet. You read letters or numbers that get progressively smaller. Louisiana requires you to see at least 20/40 vision in each eye, or 20/30 in one eye if the other is worse.
The examiner first tests your vision without any correction. If you pass — meaning you meet the 20/40 standard — you receive no restriction. If you do not pass without correction, the examiner then tests you while you are wearing your glasses or contacts. If you pass with correction, Restriction 01 is added to your license. If you fail even with correction, you will not receive a license until your vision improves or you can provide a medical statement from an eye doctor.
This two-step process is standard across all Louisiana DMV locations. The examiner records the result in the state's licensing system, and the restriction code appears on your physical card within days of issuance.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
Driving without your corrective lenses when Restriction 01 is on your license is a traffic violation in Louisiana. A police officer who stops you can cite you for violating the terms of your license. The citation is separate from any other traffic offense you may have committed — it is purely about the restriction itself.
The penalty for this violation varies. You may receive a fine, points on your driving record, or both. Accumulating points can lead to license suspension if you reach the state threshold. Additionally, if you are involved in an accident while driving without your required correction, your insurance company may deny your claim or use the violation against you in settlement negotiations, since you were not following the terms of your license.
Law enforcement cannot tell from your license card alone whether you are wearing your lenses — they typically discover the violation only if they stop you for another reason and ask about the restriction during the traffic stop. However, the violation is still enforceable and can appear on your driving record.
How to remove Restriction 01 from your license
You can have Restriction 01 removed by passing a vision retest without corrective lenses. You do not have to wait until your license expires; you can request a retest at any Louisiana DMV office at any time. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay a small retest fee — the amount varies by location but is typically under $10.
During the retest, the examiner will test your vision without correction using the same standard as the initial screening. If you now meet Louisiana's 20/40 vision requirement without glasses or contacts, the restriction will be removed. The examiner will issue you a new license card without Restriction 01, usually within a few days.
If you do not pass the retest without correction, you keep Restriction 01 and can try again later. Some people request a retest after eye surgery, a change in prescription, or straightforward because their vision has naturally improved. There is no limit to how many times you can request a retest.
Other common Louisiana license restrictions and what they mean
Louisiana uses several restriction codes on driver's licenses, each tied to a specific condition or requirement. Restriction 01 is the most common, but you may see others depending on your situation. For example, Restriction 02 requires automatic transmission only, used when a driver cannot safely operate a manual transmission vehicle. Restriction 03 limits you to daylight driving only, typically issued to older drivers or those with certain vision conditions.
Restriction 04 requires an outside left mirror, and Restriction 05 limits you to vehicles with power steering. Some restrictions are medical in nature — for instance, Restriction 07 means you must use a hearing aid. Others are related to vehicle modifications or adaptive equipment. Each restriction is printed on your license and must be followed while driving.
If you receive a restriction you do not understand, ask the DMV examiner to explain it before you leave the office. You can also contact your local Louisiana DMV office by phone or visit their website to clarify what any restriction means for your driving privileges.
Renewing your license with Restriction 01
When your Louisiana driver's license expires and you renew it, you will go through the vision screening again. If you still need corrective lenses to meet the state's vision standard, Restriction 01 will be added to your new license. You do not have to do anything special to keep the restriction — it is automatic if you fail the uncorrected vision test and pass with correction.
You can renew your license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office, depending on your situation. However, if you renew online or by mail, you will not have a vision screening. In that case, any restrictions from your previous license carry over to your new one. If you want to have Restriction 01 removed during a mail or online renewal, you must first pass a vision retest in person at a DMV office, then renew your license.
If you renew in person at a DMV office, the vision screening happens as part of the renewal process. This is your opportunity to retest without correction if your vision has improved, or to confirm that you still need the restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Louisiana license without Restriction 01 if I wear contacts?
Yes. Restriction 01 applies only if you cannot pass the vision test without correction. If you wear contacts and pass the vision screening while wearing them, you receive Restriction 01. However, if your vision with contacts is good enough to pass without any correction at a later retest, the restriction can be removed. The restriction itself does not distinguish between glasses and contacts — it straightforward means you must wear some form of corrective lenses.
Does Restriction 01 affect my car insurance rates?
No. Insurance companies do not charge more or less based on license restrictions. However, if you are cited for driving without your required corrective lenses, that violation will appear on your driving record and may affect your rates. The restriction itself is not a factor; the violation of the restriction is.
What if I forget my glasses and get pulled over?
You can be cited for violating Restriction 01. The officer may also ask you to remove your glasses and read a sign or license plate to assess your uncorrected vision. It is best to always carry your corrective lenses with you when driving, even if you are only going a short distance.
Can I drive in another state if I have Restriction 01 on my Louisiana license?
Yes, but you must still follow the restriction. Your Louisiana license is valid in other states, and the restriction travels with it. You must wear your corrective lenses in any state. If you are stopped in another state, the officer can see Restriction 01 on your license and cite you if you are not wearing your lenses.
How long does it take to get a new license after passing a vision retest?
After you pass a vision retest without correction, the DMV examiner will issue a new license card. Typically, the card arrives by mail within three to five business days. You can continue driving with your old license during this time, as long as you still have it with you.