What restrictions are and why they appear on your license
A driver license restriction is a condition placed on your license that limits how or when you can drive. It is not a suspension or revocation — you keep your license and can drive, but only under the terms the restriction sets. Restrictions appear as codes or letters on the front or back of your physical license and in the DMV database when an officer runs your record.
Restrictions exist because you have a medical condition, a vision problem, a conviction history, or a licensing requirement that means unrestricted driving poses a risk. Some restrictions are mandatory — your state's DMV must impose them by law. Others are optional, meaning the DMV can impose them if the examiner or medical reviewer believes they are necessary for your safety or the safety of others.
The specific restrictions available and the rules for imposing them vary significantly by state. A restriction that appears on a California license may not exist in Texas, and the code used to mark it will be different. Understanding what your restriction means, what it allows and forbids, and whether you can have it removed is essential before you drive.
Key Takeaways
- Restrictions are codes on your license that limit when, where, or how you can drive, but they do not suspend or revoke your license.
- Common restrictions include corrective lenses, hearing aids, automatic transmission only, and daylight-only driving, each with different state definitions.
- Some restrictions are mandatory by law; others are imposed at the examiner's or medical reviewer's discretion based on your test results or medical records.
- Each state uses its own restriction codes, so a restriction that applies in one state may not transfer if you move or get a license in another state.
- You can request removal of some restrictions by retesting, providing updated medical documentation, or filing a formal appeal, depending on the restriction and your state.
Common restrictions and what they mean
The most widespread restrictions across all states relate to vision and hearing. A corrective lenses restriction means you must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive. A hearing aid restriction means you must wear your hearing aid while driving. These restrictions are usually mandatory if you failed the vision or hearing test without correction, or if your medical records show you need correction to drive safely.
Mechanical restrictions limit the type of vehicle you can operate. An automatic transmission only restriction means you cannot drive a manual (stick shift) vehicle. This is typically imposed after you take your driving test in an automatic and do not demonstrate the ability to operate a manual. Some states also impose power steering only or power brakes only restrictions for drivers with limited strength or mobility.
Time and location restrictions narrow when or where you can drive. A daylight only restriction prohibits driving between sunset and sunrise. A no freeway or no highway restriction limits you to local roads. These are often imposed on older drivers, drivers with certain medical conditions, or drivers who failed the road test under specific conditions. Some states also impose employment only restrictions, which limit driving to work-related trips.
Conviction-related restrictions follow certain criminal or traffic offenses. An ignition interlock device (IID) requirement means you must install a breath-alcohol device in your vehicle and pass a test before the engine starts. A no commercial driving restriction prohibits you from holding a commercial driver license (CDL). These are imposed by court order or DMV policy following DUI, reckless driving, or other serious violations.
How restrictions are assigned and what triggers them
Restrictions are assigned through several pathways. During a vision or hearing screening at the DMV, if you fail without correction or with correction that does not meet the standard, the examiner will impose the relevant restriction. During a road test, if you demonstrate unsafe handling of a manual transmission or show difficulty with certain vehicle controls, the examiner may impose a mechanical restriction. If you are over a certain age (often 70 or 75, depending on the state), your state may require a medical examination or vision retest, and the medical reviewer or examiner can impose restrictions based on the results.
Court orders and DMV administrative decisions also trigger restrictions. If you are convicted of DUI, the court or DMV will impose an ignition interlock requirement as part of your sentence or license reinstatement terms. If you accumulate too many points or violations, your state may impose restrictions as an alternative to suspension. Some states allow the DMV to impose restrictions on drivers with certain medical conditions — epilepsy, diabetes, or narcolepsy, for example — if the driver's physician or the DMV's medical advisor believes unrestricted driving is unsafe.
A few restrictions are self-imposed. Some states allow you to voluntarily request a restriction — for example, asking for a daylight-only restriction if you are uncomfortable driving at night — to avoid a suspension or to demonstrate responsibility after a violation. This is rare and varies by state.
How to read restriction codes on your license
Restriction codes appear in a dedicated field on your license, usually labeled "Restrictions" or "Conditions." The format and location differ by state. Some states print codes on the front; others print them on the back. Some use single letters (A, B, C); others use two-letter codes (01, 02, 03) or full words.
Your state's DMV website publishes the official list of restriction codes and their meanings. For example, California uses codes like "B" for corrective lenses and "I" for daylight only. New York uses codes like "3" for corrective lenses and "11" for hearing aid. Texas uses codes like "01" for corrective lenses and "02" for hearing aid. You cannot assume a code means the same thing across states.
If you receive a new license and do not understand a restriction code printed on it, contact your state DMV directly or visit their website and search for the restriction code list. Do not guess or assume. An officer who pulls you over will know what the code means, and if you violate a restriction you did not understand, you can still be cited.
Restrictions that are mandatory versus discretionary
A mandatory restriction is one your state's law requires the DMV to impose if certain conditions are met. If you fail a vision test without correction and your corrected vision does not meet the legal standard, the DMV must impose a corrective lenses restriction — it has no choice. If you are convicted of DUI in most states, an ignition interlock restriction is mandatory as part of reinstatement. Mandatory restrictions cannot be waived or removed by the examiner's judgment.
A discretionary restriction is one the DMV can impose if the examiner or medical reviewer believes it is necessary, but is not required by law. If you pass your vision test but the examiner notes that your peripheral vision is narrow, the examiner may impose a restriction even though you technically passed. If you take your road test in an automatic and pass, the examiner could impose an automatic-only restriction if they believe you demonstrated unsafe handling of a manual, but they are not required to. Discretionary restrictions can sometimes be challenged or removed through retesting or appeal.
Your license document or the DMV's online record does not always tell you whether a restriction is mandatory or discretionary. You must contact your state DMV or review your state's driver license manual to find out. This matters because it affects your options for removal.
How to request removal or modification of a restriction
The process for removing a restriction depends on the type of restriction and your state's rules. For vision or hearing restrictions, you can request removal by visiting your DMV office with proof that you now meet the standard. This usually means a letter from an eye doctor or audiologist stating that your vision or hearing, with or without correction, meets your state's legal standard. Some states require you to pass a vision or hearing retest at the DMV as well.
For mechanical restrictions like automatic-only, you can request removal by taking a new road test in a manual transmission vehicle and passing. You must schedule the test through your DMV and bring a manual vehicle to the test site. If you pass, the restriction is removed. If you fail, the restriction remains and you can try again after a waiting period (usually 30 to 90 days, depending on your state).
For time or location restrictions like daylight-only or no-freeway, removal is harder. Some states allow removal only if you pass a new road test or medical examination. Others do not allow removal at all — the restriction remains for the life of the license or until a certain age. Check your state's rules before you attempt removal.
For conviction-related restrictions like ignition interlock, removal is governed by the court order or your state's reinstatement law. An ignition interlock requirement typically lasts a set number of months (often 6 to 12 months for a first DUI), and you must provide proof to the DMV that you have completed the requirement before it is removed. You cannot request early removal; you must wait out the term.
If you believe a restriction was imposed in error or unfairly, you can file a formal appeal with your state DMV. The process and timeline vary by state. Some states have an administrative review process; others require you to file in court. Contact your state DMV's appeals office or legal department to learn the procedure and any important date.
Restrictions and driving in other states
If you hold a license from one state and move to another, your restrictions do not automatically transfer. When you explore for a new license in your new state, the new state's DMV will conduct its own vision and hearing screening and may require a new road test. Based on those results, the new state may impose different restrictions, remove restrictions you had in your old state, or impose new ones you did not have before.
For example, if your California license has a daylight-only restriction and you move to Florida and get a Florida license, Florida's DMV will not automatically impose a daylight-only restriction on your new license. Florida will test you and make its own decision. You might end up with no restriction, the same restriction, or a different one.
If you are driving in a state other than the one that issued your license, you must follow the restrictions on your actual license. An officer in any state can run your license and see your restrictions. If you violate a restriction from your home state while driving in another state, you can be cited in that state as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive without following my restrictions?
No. Violating a restriction is a traffic violation and can result in a citation, fine, and points on your record. If you violate an ignition interlock restriction or a conviction-related restriction, you may face criminal charges. If you believe a restriction is unsafe or unfair, request removal through your state's formal process rather than ignoring it.
Do restrictions show up on my driving record when an officer checks it?
Yes. When an officer runs your license during a traffic stop, they see all restrictions in the DMV database. They will know if you are violating a restriction. Restrictions also appear on your abstract or driving record if you request a copy from your DMV.
What happens if I get a new license but the restriction is not printed on it?
Contact your state DMV when ready. Restrictions should always appear on your license. If one is missing, it may be a printing error, or the DMV may have removed it without notifying you. Clarify with the DMV in writing so there is no confusion if you are stopped by an officer.
Can I move to another state to avoid a restriction?
No. Your restrictions follow you in the DMV database. When you explore for a license in a new state, the new state's DMV can see your driving record from your previous state, including any restrictions. Some restrictions, like ignition interlock requirements, are tied to court orders and explore regardless of where you live.
How long does a restriction stay on my license?
It depends on the restriction. Vision and hearing restrictions stay until you demonstrate you no longer need them. Mechanical restrictions stay until you pass a road test without them. Time-based restrictions like daylight-only may be permanent or may expire at a certain age. Conviction-related restrictions last as long as the court order or reinstatement law specifies. Check your state's rules for the specific restriction on your license.