Restriction B stops you from driving without corrective lenses

Restriction B on an Arkansas driver's license means you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses every time you drive. If you have this restriction and drive without your corrective lenses, you are breaking the law — even if you can see well enough to get by. The restriction appears on your license card itself, so any officer who pulls you over will see it when ready.

This restriction is placed on your license during your vision screening at the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you fail the vision test without correction but pass it with glasses or contacts, the DMV adds Restriction B to your license. It is one of the most common restrictions issued, and it stays on your license until you pass a vision test without correction or until your license expires and you renew it.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving; driving without them violates the restriction even if you think you can see.
  • The DMV places Restriction B on your license if you fail the vision screening without correction but pass it with glasses or contacts.
  • You can remove Restriction B by passing a vision test without corrective lenses at any DMV office.
  • If you are stopped by police and do not have your corrective lenses in the car, you can be cited for violating the restriction.

How the vision test determines if you get Restriction B

When you take your written test and road test at the Arkansas DMV, you also take a vision screening. The examiner will ask you to read a chart from a set distance — usually about 20 feet away. If you cannot read the required line clearly without glasses or contacts, the examiner will let you try again with your correction in place.

If you pass the test with your glasses or contacts but fail without them, Restriction B goes on your license. The restriction is based on the idea that your vision is safe for driving only when corrected. Arkansas law requires this restriction to be noted on your license card so that officers and other drivers know about it.

What you must do if you have Restriction B

You must have your corrective lenses with you and in use every time you drive. This means wearing your glasses or having your contacts in before you start the engine. It is not enough to have them in the car — they must be on your face or in your eyes while the vehicle is moving.

If you are pulled over and do not have your lenses on, an officer can cite you for violating your license restriction. This is a separate violation from any other traffic offense and can result in a fine. Some officers may also issue a warning on a first offense, but you should not count on that.

Removing Restriction B from your license

You can have Restriction B removed by visiting any Arkansas DMV office and taking another vision screening. If you now pass the test without corrective lenses — for example, because you had eye surgery or your vision naturally improved — the restriction will be removed from your license on the spot.

You do not need to wait for your license to expire. The removal is free and takes only a few minutes. If you are unsure whether your vision has improved enough to pass without correction, you can ask your eye doctor to test you first. Many people find that LASIK, PRK, or other corrective surgery allows them to pass the vision test without glasses or contacts.

What happens if your prescription changes

If you get new glasses or contacts with a stronger or weaker prescription, you do not automatically need to update your license. Restriction B straightforward requires that you wear some corrective lenses — it does not specify which ones. As long as you are wearing the lenses your eye doctor prescribed, you are in compliance.

However, if your prescription changes so much that you can no longer pass the vision test even with your new lenses, you should visit the DMV and take another screening. The DMV may update your restriction or remove it depending on the results. It is better to do this on your own schedule than to be stopped by an officer and discovered to be in violation.

Restriction B versus other vision-related restrictions

Arkansas uses several vision restrictions on driver's licenses. Restriction B is the most common and straightforward requires corrective lenses. Other restrictions may limit where or when you can drive — for example, some restrictions prohibit night driving or limit you to daylight hours only. These are issued when vision is borderline but safe under certain conditions.

If you have Restriction B and also have other restrictions, you must follow all of them. Your license card will list each restriction separately. If you are unsure what your restrictions mean, you can call the Arkansas DMV or visit their website to ask for clarification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with Restriction B if I have my glasses in the car but not on my face?

No. The restriction requires you to wear your corrective lenses while driving, not just have them available. If you are pulled over without your glasses or contacts in use, you can be cited for violating the restriction, even if the lenses are sitting on your passenger seat.

Will Restriction B affect my insurance rates?

Restriction B itself does not typically affect your insurance rates. However, if you are cited for violating the restriction — driving without your corrective lenses — that ticket may show up on your driving record and could increase your rates. The violation itself is what matters to insurers, not the restriction.

What if I wear contact lenses and one falls out while I'm driving?

If a contact lens falls out while you are driving, you should pull over safely as soon as possible. Continuing to drive with only one lens or no lenses while you have Restriction B puts you in violation. If you are stopped during this time, explain what happened to the officer, but be aware that you may still receive a citation.

Do I have to renew my Restriction B every time I renew my license?

Restriction B stays on your license through each renewal unless you have it removed by passing a vision test without correction. When you renew your license, the DMV will ask you to take another vision screening. If you still cannot pass without corrective lenses, the restriction will be carried forward to your new license.

Can I get a hardship license if I cannot afford new glasses?

Arkansas does not issue hardship licenses to people with vision restrictions. If you cannot afford corrective lenses, contact local community health centers or vision information programs in your area — many offer low-cost or free eye exams and glasses to people who may have access to based on income.