The back of your driver's license holds information the front doesn't show

The back side of your driver's license contains details about restrictions, endorsements, and organ donation status — information that law enforcement and other officials need to know about you, but that doesn't fit on the front. Unlike the front, which displays your photo and basic identity, the back is a legal record of what you are and are not permitted to do behind the wheel. Understanding what appears there helps you know your own driving privileges and what to expect if you're stopped.

Every state formats the back of a license differently, but the categories of information are similar across the country. What you see depends on your age, the type of license you hold, any medical conditions you've reported, and whether you've chosen to be an organ donor.

Key Takeaways

  • The back of your license lists restrictions (like corrective lenses required or automatic transmission only) that tell you what conditions must be met while driving.
  • Endorsements on the back show that you've passed additional tests — for example, to tow a trailer or drive a motorcycle — and are legally permitted to do those things.
  • Your organ donor status appears on the back, and you can change this choice at your state's DMV without renewing your license.
  • If you have medical conditions that affect your driving, your state may print a medical alert code on the back so emergency responders know to check your records.

Restrictions: What you must do or cannot do

A restriction is a condition or limitation on your driving privileges. Common restrictions include corrective lenses (you must wear glasses or contacts), automatic transmission only (you cannot drive a manual car), or daylight driving only (for drivers with certain vision limitations). If a restriction appears on your license, you are legally required to follow it every time you drive.

Restrictions are assigned based on your medical history, test results, or age. A teenage driver might have a restriction against driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., for example, or a driver with a hearing impairment might have a restriction requiring a hearing aid. If you violate a restriction — for instance, driving without the corrective lenses you're required to wear — you can be cited by law enforcement, even if you were driving safely otherwise.

Each state uses a code system to label restrictions. Your state's DMV handbook explains what each code means. If you're unsure what a restriction on your license requires, contact your local DMV office or check their website.

Endorsements: Additional driving privileges you've earned

An endorsement is the opposite of a restriction — it shows that you've passed extra tests and are legally permitted to do something beyond standard driving. The most common endorsement is for commercial driving (a CDL, or Commercial Driver's License), which requires passing a written test and a road test specific to large trucks. Other endorsements include motorcycle endorsement (after passing a motorcycle skills test), hazmat endorsement (for drivers who transport hazardous materials), or passenger endorsement (for drivers of buses or vans carrying multiple passengers).

You cannot drive a motorcycle, operate a commercial truck, or transport hazardous materials without the correct endorsement on your license, even if you know how to do those things. The endorsement proves you've met your state's safety standards for that activity. If you want to add an endorsement, you'll need to contact your DMV, pay a fee, and pass the required written and road tests.

Organ donor status and medical alerts

Most states print your organ donor choice on the back of your license. When you renew or first get your license, you're asked whether you want to register as an organ donor. Your answer appears as a designation on the back — often a heart symbol or the words "organ donor." This is not a legal document on its own; it's a way to communicate your wishes to emergency responders if you're in a serious accident.

You can change your organ donor status at any time without renewing your license. Visit your state's DMV website or call your local office to update this information. Some states also allow you to register through a separate organ donor registry, which is a more formal legal record than the license designation alone.

Some states also print medical alert codes on the back of licenses for drivers with conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, or severe allergies. These codes alert emergency responders to check your medical records or contact information in case of an accident. If you have a medical condition that should be flagged, ask your DMV whether a medical alert code is available and how to request one.

How restrictions and endorsements affect your license renewal

When you renew your driver's license, your restrictions and endorsements carry over to your new license unless something has changed. If you had corrective lenses as a restriction on your old license and you still need them, that restriction will appear on your renewed license. If you've earned a motorcycle endorsement, it stays on your license through renewals.

However, if your circumstances change — for example, you have eye surgery and no longer need corrective lenses — you can request that a restriction be removed. You'll typically need to provide medical documentation and may need to pass a vision test. Similarly, if you want to add an endorsement, you can do so at renewal time or between renewals by visiting your DMV and passing the required tests.

Reading your state's code system

Every state uses letter or number codes to label restrictions and endorsements on the back of a license. These codes are shorthand — for example, one state might use "B" to mean corrective lenses required, while another uses "01." Your state's DMV handbook includes a full key that translates these codes into plain language.

If you receive a new license and don't recognize a code on the back, check your state's DMV website or handbook, or call your local DMV office. It's important to understand what each code means so you know exactly what you're permitted and required to do. Some codes are restrictions (things you must do or cannot do), and some are endorsements (things you're additionally permitted to do).

What happens if your license is suspended or revoked

If your license is suspended or revoked, the back of your license may be stamped or marked to show that status. A suspension is temporary — your license is taken away for a set period, after which you can reapply or have it reinstated. A revocation is more serious and permanent; you must reapply for a license and meet specific conditions (such as completing a driver safety course or paying fines) before you're may be able to access to drive again.

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot legally drive, even if your license card itself hasn't been physically taken from you. Law enforcement can look up your status in the system. Driving on a suspended or revoked license carries serious penalties, including fines, jail time, and a longer suspension or revocation period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove a restriction from my license?

Yes, but you'll need to show that the reason for the restriction no longer applies. For example, if you had a corrective lenses restriction and had eye surgery, you can request removal by providing medical documentation and passing a vision test. Contact your state's DMV to learn what proof is required for the specific restriction you want removed.

What does it mean if my license has a medical alert code?

A medical alert code tells emergency responders that you have a medical condition they should know about. The code itself doesn't describe the condition — it's a flag that prompts responders to check your medical records or contact information. If you have a serious medical condition, ask your DMV whether a medical alert code is available and how to request one.

Do I need to pass a test to add an endorsement?

Yes. Each endorsement requires passing a written test and usually a road test specific to that endorsement. For example, a motorcycle endorsement requires a motorcycle skills test. Contact your DMV to schedule the tests and pay any required fees.

If I change my organ donor status, do I need a new license?

No. You can update your organ donor status at your DMV without renewing your license. The change will appear on your next renewed license. Some states also maintain a separate organ donor registry where you can register independently of your license.

What's the difference between a suspension and a revocation?

A suspension is temporary — your license is taken away for a set period, and you can drive again once the suspension ends. A revocation is permanent, and you must reapply for a license and meet specific conditions before you're may be able to access to drive again. Both prevent you from driving legally during the period they're in effect.