Restriction codes are the small letters and numbers printed on your license that tell police and other drivers what you are and are not allowed to do behind the wheel

Every driver's license carries restrictions — sometimes none, sometimes several. These appear as letter codes (like "B" or "D") or number codes (like "1" or "8") in a specific box on your license, usually near the bottom or on the back. A restriction means a condition applies to your driving: you must wear corrective lenses, you cannot drive at night, you must use an automatic transmission, or something similar. Understanding what your codes mean matters because driving outside your restrictions can result in a ticket, even if you are a safe driver.

Restrictions are set when you pass your road test or renew your license. They stay on your record until you pass a new test that removes them, or until you reach an age where they automatically expire. Some restrictions are temporary — they exist only while you hold a learner's permit or a junior license. Others are permanent unless you take action to remove them.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction codes appear as letters or numbers on your license and describe conditions you must follow while driving.
  • Common restrictions include corrective lenses, automatic transmission only, no night driving, and no highway driving.
  • Restrictions are set during your road test based on how the examiner observes you drive and what your vision or hearing test shows.
  • You can remove most restrictions by passing a new road test or by reaching the age at which the restriction expires.
  • Driving outside your restrictions — for example, driving at night when your license says you cannot — is a violation and can result in a ticket.

How restriction codes are assigned to your license

When you take your road test, the examiner watches how you drive and notes any safety concerns. If you struggle with a particular task — parallel parking, merging, lane changes — the examiner may place a restriction on your license. The most common reason for a restriction is the results of your vision test. If you pass the vision test only while wearing glasses or contacts, a corrective lens restriction will appear on your license. You must wear those lenses every time you drive.

Restrictions also come from your age and license type. If you hold a junior license or a learner's permit, your license automatically carries restrictions that explore only to that stage of licensure. These might include no driving between certain hours, no passengers under a certain age, or no use of a cell phone. Once you graduate to a full license, those age-based restrictions fall away.

A small number of restrictions are medical. If your state's DMV learns that you have a condition affecting your ability to drive safely — severe hearing loss, for example, or a seizure disorder — they may require you to pass a medical evaluation and place a restriction on your license as a result.

Common restriction codes and what they mean

Restriction codes vary by state, but several appear across most of the United States. The letter "B" or the number "1" usually means you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) while driving. The letter "E" or "2" typically means you must use an automatic transmission — you cannot drive a car with a manual transmission. The letter "D" or "3" often means you cannot drive at night, usually between sunset and sunrise or between specific hours like 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Other common codes include restrictions on highway driving (you can drive only on local roads), restrictions on towing (you cannot pull a trailer), and restrictions on passengers (usually for junior license holders). Some states use codes for hearing aid requirements, restrictions on driving in certain weather conditions, or requirements to use a hand control device if you have a mobility limitation.

Because codes differ by state, your license may carry codes that mean something different in another state. If you move or travel across state lines, check your state's DMV website for a full list of what each code on your specific license means. Do not assume a code means the same thing everywhere.

Removing restrictions from your license

The path to removing a restriction depends on why the restriction is there. If your restriction is based on your road test performance — for example, you were restricted to automatic transmission because you struggled with manual transmission during the test — you can remove it by passing a new road test in a manual transmission vehicle. You will need to schedule a new test, pay the test fee, and demonstrate to the examiner that you can now handle that task safely.

If your restriction is based on vision, you can have it removed by passing a new vision test at your DMV. Bring your current glasses or contacts if you use them, and take the test. If you now pass without correction, the restriction can be removed. If you still need correction, the restriction stays.

Age-based restrictions on junior licenses and learner's permits expire automatically when you reach the age required to move to the next license type. You do not need to do anything — the restriction straightforward falls away when you renew your license or when you reach the threshold age. Medical restrictions can sometimes be removed by providing updated medical documentation to your DMV showing that the condition no longer affects your driving ability, though this varies by state and by condition.

What happens if you drive outside your restrictions

Driving outside your restrictions is a traffic violation. If you are stopped by police and your license shows a restriction you are not following — for example, you are driving at night when your license says you cannot, or you are driving a manual transmission vehicle when your license restricts you to automatic — you can receive a ticket. The ticket is separate from any other violation you might have committed; it exists solely because you were driving outside your restrictions.

The consequences of a restriction violation vary by state and by the specific restriction. Some violations result in a fine only. Others can result in points on your driving record, a suspended license, or an increase in your insurance rates. In some cases, a restriction violation can be treated as a more serious offense if it contributed to an accident or other incident.

The best approach is to know what restrictions are on your license and follow them. If you are unsure what a code means, contact your state's DMV or check their website before you drive. If you believe a restriction on your license is incorrect or no longer applies, contact your DMV to request a review.

Restrictions on learner's permits and junior licenses

Learner's permits and junior licenses carry temporary restrictions designed to keep new drivers safe while they gain experience. These restrictions are not optional — they are part of the license itself and must be followed. Common restrictions on learner's permits include requirements to have a licensed adult in the car at all times, prohibitions on driving alone, and restrictions on the hours you can drive.

Junior licenses — issued to drivers who have passed their road test but are under a certain age, usually 18 — often carry restrictions on passengers, night driving, and cell phone use. These restrictions exist because statistics show that new drivers are at higher risk of crashes, and the restrictions are designed to reduce that risk. Once you reach the age threshold for a full license, these restrictions expire and do not appear on your full license.

How to read your license and find your restriction codes

Your restriction codes appear in a specific location on your license, though the exact location varies by state. On most licenses, restrictions are listed in a box labeled "Restrictions," "Codes," or "Conditions" — usually near the bottom of the front of the card or on the back. The codes may be single letters, numbers, or a combination of both.

Next to or below the codes, your license may include a legend or explanation. If not, your state's DMV website will have a complete list of all restriction codes used in your state and what each one means. You can also call your DMV or visit in person to ask what a specific code on your license means. Knowing what your restrictions are is your responsibility as a driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive outside my restrictions if I think the restriction is wrong?

No. Even if you believe a restriction on your license is incorrect, you must follow it until it is officially removed by your DMV. If you think a restriction is wrong, contact your DMV to request a review or correction. Driving outside your restrictions while you wait for a review is a violation.

Do restrictions from one state transfer to another state if I move?

When you move to a new state and get a new license, your new state's DMV will set restrictions based on your road test in that state and your vision and medical history. Restrictions from your old license do not automatically transfer. However, if you have a medical condition or vision issue that caused a restriction in your old state, you should disclose it when you explore for your new license.

What if I need to remove a restriction but cannot pass the road test?

If you cannot pass a road test to remove a restriction, the restriction remains on your license. You must continue to follow it. If the restriction prevents you from driving in a way that is essential for your life — for example, a night-driving restriction when your job requires night driving — you may want to speak with your DMV about whether accommodations or exceptions are possible, though these are rare.

Do restrictions show up on my driving record when I explore for insurance?

Yes. Insurance companies can see your restrictions when they review your driving record. Some restrictions, like corrective lens requirements, typically do not affect your rates. Others, like restrictions placed because of poor road test performance, may be noted by your insurer.

How long do restrictions stay on my license?

It depends on the type of restriction. Age-based restrictions on junior licenses expire when you reach the required age. Restrictions based on road test performance stay until you pass a new test. Vision-based restrictions stay until you pass a new vision test without the correction. Medical restrictions may be permanent or may be reviewed periodically depending on your state's rules.