What restriction codes are and why they appear on your license
A restriction code is a letter or number printed on your California driver license that limits how or when you can drive. It is not a violation or a mark against you — it is a condition of your license. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) adds restrictions based on your age, medical history, vision test results, or the type of license you hold. Some restrictions are temporary; others stay until you meet specific requirements or reach a certain age.
Restriction codes are printed on the front of your license in the box labeled "Restrictions." If you have no restrictions, that box is blank. If you have one or more, each code appears as a single letter or number. You may have multiple restrictions at once.
Understanding what your codes mean matters because violating a restriction — for example, driving without corrective lenses when code B requires them — can result in a ticket, fine, or license suspension. It is your responsibility to know what your restrictions are and to follow them every time you drive.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction codes are letters or numbers on your California license that limit when, where, or how you can drive, and they are legally binding conditions of your driving privilege.
- Common restrictions include corrective lenses (code B), automatic transmission only (code D), and daylight driving only (code E), each tied to a specific reason the DMV identified during testing or review.
- You can find your restriction codes on the front of your physical license or in your DMV online account under "View Driver License or ID Card Information."
- Violating a restriction can result in a traffic citation, fine, or suspension, even if you would otherwise be a safe driver.
- Some restrictions are permanent; others expire when you turn a certain age or when you pass a required test or medical exam.
The most common California restriction codes and what they mean
Code B means you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) whenever you drive. The DMV added this restriction because your vision did not meet the standard without correction during your eye exam. You must have your lenses with you at all times while driving. If you are stopped and cannot produce them, you can be cited.
Code D restricts you to an automatic transmission vehicle only. The DMV imposes this when you pass your driving test in an automatic car and have not demonstrated the ability to operate a manual transmission safely. If you want to remove this restriction, you must pass a driving test in a manual transmission vehicle.
Code E limits you to daylight driving only — typically sunrise to sunset. This restriction is common for older drivers or those with vision or medical conditions that affect night driving ability. You cannot legally drive between sunset and sunrise with this restriction in place.
Code F means you cannot drive on freeways. This restriction is rare and is usually imposed on very new or very young drivers, or those with specific medical or safety concerns. It limits you to local roads and highways only.
Code I requires an ignition interlock device (IID) on any vehicle you drive. This is mandatory after a DUI conviction in California. The device prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. You must have the IID installed before you can drive, and you must maintain it for the duration specified by the court.
Code K means you cannot drive a commercial vehicle. This restriction appears on non-commercial licenses and straightforward confirms that you are not licensed to operate trucks, buses, or other commercial vehicles.
Code M restricts you to vehicles with an outside left mirror. This is uncommon and is typically imposed on drivers with specific physical limitations or vision conditions.
How to find your restriction codes
Your restriction codes are printed on the front of your physical California driver license in a box labeled "Restrictions." Look at the lower left portion of the card. If the box is blank, you have no restrictions. If it contains letters or numbers, each one is a separate restriction code.
You can also view your restrictions online through your DMV account. Go to the DMV website, sign in with your driver license number and date of birth, and select "View Driver License or ID Card Information." The page will display all active restrictions on your license.
If you receive a replacement license — because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged — your restrictions will carry over to the new card unless you have since met the conditions to remove them. The DMV does not automatically remove restrictions; you must request removal or the restriction expires on its own.
When restrictions expire or can be removed
Some restrictions are permanent for the life of your license; others have an expiration date or can be removed by meeting specific conditions. The duration depends on the reason the restriction was imposed.
Age-based restrictions — such as those placed on teenage drivers — typically expire on your 18th birthday or after you hold a provisional license for a set period. Check your license or your DMV record to see the expiration date.
Medical or vision restrictions — such as corrective lenses (B) or daylight driving only (E) — remain in place until you pass a new vision or medical exam showing the condition has improved. You can request a retest through the DMV.
Transmission restrictions (code D) can be removed by passing a driving test in a manual transmission vehicle. Schedule a behind-the-wheel exam with the DMV and bring a manual car.
DUI-related restrictions — such as the ignition interlock requirement (code I) — expire only after the court-ordered period ends and you provide proof of compliance to the DMV. You cannot remove these early.
To request removal of a restriction you believe no longer applies, contact your local DMV office or submit a form through your online account. You may need to pass a test, provide medical documentation, or show proof that the condition has changed.
What happens if you drive with a violated restriction
Driving in violation of a restriction code is a traffic violation in California. If you are stopped and an officer discovers you are breaking a restriction — for example, driving at night with code E, or without glasses with code B — you can receive a citation.
The consequences vary but typically include a fine, points on your driving record, and possible license suspension. A violation can also affect your insurance rates and may be used against you in future licensing decisions. If you accumulate multiple violations, the DMV may suspend or revoke your license.
If you believe a restriction on your license is incorrect or no longer applies, do not ignore it or drive in violation of it. Instead, contact the DMV to request a review or retest. Addressing the issue directly is far less costly than a traffic citation.
Restrictions for young and new drivers in California
California's graduated licensing system places temporary restrictions on drivers under 18 and on those who recently passed their test. These restrictions are designed to reduce crash risk among inexperienced drivers.
Teen drivers on a provisional license may have restrictions on nighttime driving, passenger limits, and cell phone use. These restrictions are enforced by law and appear on the license. They expire when you turn 18 or after you hold the provisional license for 12 months without violations, whichever comes first.
Adult drivers who recently passed their test may also receive temporary restrictions — for example, code D (automatic transmission only) if you took your test in an automatic car. These restrictions remain until you pass a test in the restricted vehicle type or until a set period expires.
How restrictions interact with insurance and vehicle registration
Your restriction codes do not directly affect your car insurance rates, but violating a restriction can. If you receive a citation for driving in violation of a restriction, that violation goes on your driving record, and your insurance company will see it. This can raise your premiums or lead to non-renewal.
Your restrictions also do not affect vehicle registration. You can register any vehicle you own, regardless of your restrictions. However, if you have a restriction that limits the type of vehicle you can drive — such as code D (automatic only) or code F (no freeways) — you are responsible for following that restriction when you operate the vehicle.
If you have an ignition interlock requirement (code I), you must have the device installed in any vehicle you drive. The vehicle registration itself does not change, but the IID must be present and functional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired restriction code on my license?
No. You must follow the restriction as printed on your current license, even if you believe it has expired. If you think a restriction should no longer explore, contact the DMV to request removal or a retest before you drive in violation of it. The DMV will update your record and issue a new license if the restriction is removed.
What if I have code B but forgot my glasses at home?
You should not drive. Code B is a legal requirement, and driving without corrective lenses when the restriction is in place is a violation. If you are stopped, you can be cited. Keep your glasses in your car or carry a backup pair to avoid this situation.
Can I remove a restriction code myself, or do I have to go to the DMV?
You must go through the DMV. Depending on the restriction, you may need to pass a driving test, take a vision exam, provide medical documentation, or straightforward wait until the restriction expires. You cannot remove a restriction on your own; the DMV must update your record and issue a new license.
Do restriction codes show up on background checks or insurance quotes?
Restriction codes themselves do not appear on background checks. However, if you were cited for violating a restriction, that citation is part of your driving record and will show up on insurance quotes and background checks. The violation, not the restriction, is what affects your record.
What is the difference between a restriction code and a license suspension?
A restriction limits how you can drive; a suspension means you cannot drive at all. A restriction code stays on your license and allows you to drive under certain conditions. A suspension removes your driving privilege entirely until the DMV reinstates it. Violating a restriction can eventually lead to suspension if violations accumulate.