Restriction B is a corrective lenses requirement
Restriction B on your Texas driver license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. The restriction appears on the front of your license as a small notation and is legally binding. If you drive without the corrective lenses you were required to wear at the time of your vision test, you can be cited for a violation, even if your vision is otherwise adequate.
Texas imposes Restriction B when your vision test shows you need correction to meet the state's minimum visual acuity standard of 20/40 in each eye (with or without correction). The restriction does not mean your vision is poor — it means the Texas Department of Public Safety determined that correction is necessary for safe driving.
You will see Restriction B noted on your license card itself, usually printed as a small code or statement. Some licenses also include a note about the specific requirement. The restriction stays on your license for the full term of that license unless you pass a new vision test without needing correction.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction B requires you to wear corrective lenses every time you operate a vehicle, and driving without them is a traffic violation.
- The restriction is imposed during your vision screening at the DMV if your uncorrected vision does not meet Texas's 20/40 standard.
- You can remove Restriction B by passing a new vision test that shows you no longer need correction, which you can request at any DMV office.
- Restriction B remains on your license for its full validity period unless you take a new vision test and pass without correction.
- Wearing the wrong type of corrective lenses (for example, sunglasses instead of prescription glasses) does not satisfy the restriction.
How Restriction B appears on your license and what it covers
On your Texas driver license card, Restriction B is printed as a code or text statement on the front. The exact format depends on when your license was issued, but it will be visible to law enforcement during a traffic stop. Some older licenses may show it as straightforward "B," while newer licenses may include a brief description such as "Corrective lenses required."
The restriction applies to all driving — not just highway driving or driving at night. You must wear your corrective lenses whether you are driving on a local street, a highway, in daylight, or in darkness. The type of correction matters: if you were tested wearing glasses, you must wear glasses; if you were tested wearing contact lenses, contact lenses satisfy the requirement. Prescription sunglasses may satisfy the requirement if they are your actual prescription correction, but regular sunglasses do not.
Restriction B does not limit where you can drive, what type of vehicle you can operate, or the hours you can drive. It is purely a vision-correction requirement. You can still drive a standard passenger vehicle, a truck, or a motorcycle (if you hold the appropriate endorsement) — the restriction only requires that you wear the corrective lenses while doing so.
Why Texas imposes Restriction B during your vision test
During your driver license test or renewal, you take a vision screening at the DMV. The examiner tests your vision in each eye separately, both with and without correction. Texas requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/40 in each eye to drive legally. If your uncorrected vision does not meet that standard but your corrected vision does, the examiner will impose Restriction B.
The restriction is a safety measure. Drivers with uncorrected vision problems have higher accident rates, and the restriction ensures that you are driving with the visual clarity you demonstrated during testing. The restriction does not mean you are unsafe to drive — it means you are safe to drive only when wearing the correction you were wearing during the test.
Some people receive Restriction B at their first license test; others receive it only after a renewal vision screening shows a change in their vision. If your vision has changed since your last license was issued, a new screening may add Restriction B to your renewed license.
Removing Restriction B with a new vision test
You can have Restriction B removed from your license by passing a new vision test without needing correction. You do not have to wait for your license to expire — you can request a vision retest at any Texas DMV office at any time. The retest is free, and if you pass without needing correction, the examiner will issue you a new license without the restriction.
To request a vision retest, visit a DMV office in person with your current license and bring any corrective lenses you use. Tell the clerk you want to take a vision test to remove a restriction. The examiner will test your vision both with and without correction. If your uncorrected vision now meets the 20/40 standard in each eye, Restriction B will be removed and you will receive a new license card.
If you fail the retest (meaning you still need correction), Restriction B remains on your current license and you will not receive a new card. You can request another retest at any time, but there is no waiting period — you can try again the next day if you wish. Some people request a retest after eye surgery or after getting new glasses or contacts that they believe may have improved their vision enough to pass without correction.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
Driving without the corrective lenses required by Restriction B is a traffic violation in Texas. If you are stopped by law enforcement and you are not wearing the lenses your license requires, you can be cited. The violation is separate from any other traffic offense — you could be stopped for speeding, for example, and also cited for violating Restriction B.
The penalty for violating Restriction B is a fine. The amount varies but is typically in the range of $100 to $200, though it can be higher depending on the circumstances and the officer's discretion. A violation may also result in points on your driving record, which can affect your insurance rates and your license status if you accumulate too many points.
If you are involved in an accident and you were not wearing your required corrective lenses, the violation could complicate insurance claims or liability determinations. Insurance companies may deny a claim or reduce coverage if you were driving in violation of a license restriction at the time of the accident.
Restriction B and license renewal
When you renew your Texas driver license, you will take another vision screening. If your vision still requires correction, Restriction B will remain on your renewed license. If your vision has improved and no longer requires correction, the restriction will be removed from your new license.
You do not have to do anything special to keep Restriction B on your license during renewal — it will carry over automatically if your vision test shows you still need correction. You straightforward take the standard vision test as part of the renewal process, and the examiner will note whether correction is still required.
If you are renewing by mail or online (which Texas allows for some renewals), you will not take a vision test, and Restriction B will remain unchanged on your renewed license. If you want to remove the restriction, you must visit a DMV office in person to take a vision retest, even if you are otherwise may be able to access to renew by mail.
Restriction B and different types of driving
Restriction B applies to all driving, including commercial driving if you hold a commercial driver license (CDL). If you have a CDL with Restriction B, you must wear corrective lenses while operating a commercial vehicle. The restriction does not prevent you from obtaining a CDL, but it does require that you meet the vision standard with correction.
If you drive a motorcycle, Restriction B still applies. You must wear your corrective lenses while riding. Some riders use prescription motorcycle glasses or inserts in their helmet visor to meet this requirement.
Restriction B also applies if you drive for work — as a delivery driver, rideshare driver, or any other occupation. There is no exception for professional or occupational driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a license without Restriction B if I wear corrective lenses?
No. If your uncorrected vision does not meet Texas's 20/40 standard, you will receive Restriction B regardless of whether you wear lenses regularly. The restriction is based on your vision test results, not on your choice to wear correction. You can only remove it by passing a vision test without needing correction.
Do prescription sunglasses count as corrective lenses for Restriction B?
Prescription sunglasses count only if they are your actual prescription correction and you were tested wearing them. If your prescription is in regular glasses and you wear prescription sunglasses instead, that does not satisfy the restriction. The lenses must match what you were wearing during your vision test.
What if I lose or damage my glasses while driving?
If your corrective lenses break or are lost while you are driving, you should pull over safely and not continue driving without them. Continuing to drive without the required correction is a violation. If you need to drive to get replacement lenses, you may want to ask someone else to drive or use another form of transportation.
Can Restriction B be added to my license after I already have it?
Yes. If your vision changes between renewals, you can be required to take a vision test, and Restriction B can be added at that time. Some people request a vision test if they notice their vision has changed. If the test shows you need correction, Restriction B will be added to your current license.
Does Restriction B affect my insurance rates?
Restriction B itself does not automatically affect your insurance rates. However, if you are cited for violating the restriction (driving without corrective lenses), that violation will appear on your driving record and may increase your rates. The violation, not the restriction, is what impacts insurance.