Restriction B is a corrective lenses requirement
Restriction B 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 violating the restriction, even if your vision would be legal without correction.
This restriction is issued during your license exam or renewal when the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) determines that your uncorrected vision does not meet the state's minimum standard, but your corrected vision does. The restriction stays on your license until you pass a vision test without it or until you request a waiver through a medical examination.
Restriction B is one of the most common restrictions on Florida licenses. It does not limit where you can drive, what type of vehicle you can operate, or the hours you can drive — only that you must have corrective lenses on your person and in use while behind the wheel.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive, and violating it can result in a traffic citation.
- The restriction is placed on your license when your corrected vision meets Florida's standard but your uncorrected vision does not.
- You can remove Restriction B by passing a vision test without correction or by obtaining a medical waiver from an eye care professional.
- Restriction B does not prevent you from driving any vehicle type or at any time — it only mandates corrective lenses while operating a vehicle.
How Restriction B is assigned during your exam
When you take your vision screening at a Florida DMV office, the examiner tests your uncorrected vision first. If you cannot read the required line on the eye chart, the examiner then tests your vision with your current glasses or contacts. If your corrected vision meets or exceeds the state minimum — which is 20/40 in at least one eye — Restriction B is added to your license.
You do not have to request Restriction B. The examiner assigns it automatically based on the test results. If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, the examiner may also note that on your license, though this is separate from Restriction B itself.
The same process applies at renewal. If your vision has improved and you can now pass the uncorrected test, the restriction will be removed. If your vision has worsened and you now need correction, Restriction B will be added if it was not already there.
Removing Restriction B from your license
You have two paths to remove Restriction B: pass a vision test without correction, or obtain a medical waiver.
The first path is straightforward: if your vision improves naturally or through surgery (such as LASIK or PRK), you can request a vision retest at any Florida DMV office. Bring your current license and be prepared to pay the retest fee, which varies by county but is typically under $20. If you pass the uncorrected vision test, the examiner will issue you a new license without Restriction B on the spot or within a few days, depending on whether it is a temporary or permanent replacement.
The second path requires a medical waiver. If you cannot pass an uncorrected vision test but believe the restriction should be removed, you can request a waiver from an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The eye care professional must complete a form stating that your vision, even with correction, is safe for driving. DHSMV will review the waiver and may grant an exception. This process takes longer — typically two to four weeks — and the outcome is not may provide.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
Driving without your corrective lenses when Restriction B is on your license is a violation of Florida law. If you are pulled over and are not wearing glasses or contacts, you can receive a traffic citation. The violation is typically classified as a non-moving violation, which means it does not add points to your driving record but does result in a fine.
The fine amount varies by county and the officer's discretion, but it is generally between $50 and $150. More importantly, if you are involved in an accident while not wearing your required lenses, your insurance company may deny your claim or use the violation as grounds to raise your rates or cancel your policy.
If you forget your lenses at home, the safest course of action is to not drive. Borrowing someone else's glasses or driving a short distance "just this once" is not worth the legal and safety risk.
Restriction B versus other common Florida license restrictions
Florida uses a letter-based system for license restrictions. Restriction B is one of several you may encounter. Here is how the most common ones differ:
| Restriction | Meaning | How to Remove |
|---|---|---|
| Restriction B | Corrective lenses required | Pass uncorrected vision test or obtain medical waiver |
| Restriction D | Automatic transmission only | Pass manual transmission test |
| Restriction E | Outside mirror required | Vehicle modification or medical waiver |
| Restriction F | Limited to daylight driving | Medical evaluation or waiver |
Restriction B is the most straightforward to remove because it depends on a measurable, testable condition — your vision — that can change over time or be corrected through surgery. Other restrictions often require vehicle modifications or ongoing medical documentation.
Renewing your license with Restriction B
When you renew your Florida driver's license, you will undergo another vision screening. If Restriction B is currently on your license, the examiner will test your uncorrected vision again. If you still cannot pass without correction, Restriction B will remain on your new license. If your vision has improved, it will be removed.
You can renew your license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. Online and mail renewals do not include a vision test, so if Restriction B is on your current license, it will automatically carry over to your renewed license unless you specifically request an in-person vision retest. If you believe your vision has improved, schedule an in-person renewal appointment to have the restriction reconsidered.
Florida licenses are valid for eight years. If you have had vision correction surgery or your vision has changed significantly, do not wait until your renewal date — you can request a vision retest at any time at your local DMV office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with Restriction B if I wear contact lenses instead of glasses?
Yes. Restriction B requires corrective lenses, and contact lenses count as corrective lenses. You do not have to wear glasses specifically. Make sure your contacts are in your eyes and properly fitted before you drive. If you switch between glasses and contacts, either option satisfies the restriction.
Will Restriction B affect my insurance rates or my ability to rent a car?
Restriction B itself does not affect your insurance rates. However, if you receive a citation for driving without your required lenses, that violation may be reported to your insurance company and could increase your rates. Car rental companies do not typically restrict rentals based on Restriction B, but they may ask you to confirm you have your lenses with you.
What if I lost my glasses and cannot drive to get new ones?
If you have Restriction B and your glasses are broken or lost, you should not drive. Ask someone else to drive you to an optometrist or eyeglasses retailer, or use a rideshare service. Driving without your required lenses is a violation, and the inconvenience of arranging alternative transportation is preferable to a citation or accident.
Can I get a medical waiver for Restriction B if I have had LASIK surgery?
You do not need a waiver if you have had LASIK or PRK surgery and your uncorrected vision now meets Florida's standard. straightforward schedule a vision retest at your local DMV office. If you pass the uncorrected test, Restriction B will be removed when ready. A waiver is only necessary if your uncorrected vision still does not meet the standard even after surgery.
Does Restriction B appear on my license card or only in the DMV system?
Restriction B appears on the front of your physical license card. It is printed as a letter code in the restrictions field. This makes it visible to law enforcement during a traffic stop, which is why the restriction is enforceable.