Why are restrictions placed on a driver's license?

Answer 1

Restricted Driver LicenseA restriction or condition is placed on a person's driver license when it is necessary to ensure the person is driving within his/her ability. Restrictions and conditions vary and may include:

• Requiring the person to place special mechanical devices on his/her vehicle,
• Limiting when and where a person may drive, or
• Requiring eye glasses, corrective contact lenses, or other physical devices such as leg or arm prosthetics.

Restrictions may be discretionary (imposed by the department) or mandatory (required by law). (Vehicle Code §§ 12812, 12813, and 13800)

For older drivers, most of the restrictions imposed relate to declining physical conditions. The most common physical restriction is related to vision because vision declines due to physiologic changes of the eye along with an increased occurrence of certain vision diseases as a person ages. Other physical and/or mental restrictions are imposed when a person's physical or mental health declines, and it is necessary to restrict driving.