Texas Driver's License Restrictions Explained

A restriction on your Texas driver's license is a condition that limits how or when you can drive. It appears as a code on the back of your license and tells law enforcement what you are and are not permitted to do behind the wheel. The most common restrictions are corrective lenses (you must wear glasses or contacts), automatic transmission only, or daylight driving hours. Some restrictions are mandatory — the state imposes them based on your vision, age, or medical condition. Others are optional — you can request them to reduce insurance costs or as part of a plea agreement in a traffic case.

Texas does not use the word "restriction" the same way every state does. What Texas calls a restriction, some states call an endorsement limitation or a condition. The key difference: a restriction removes or narrows your driving privileges. An endorsement (like a motorcycle endorsement or CDL) adds privileges. This guide covers restrictions only — the rules that say what you cannot do.

Key Takeaways

  • Restrictions appear as letter codes on the back of your Texas license and are legally binding — driving outside a restriction is a violation.
  • Vision-related restrictions (corrective lenses, outside mirrors, limited peripheral vision) are the most common and are assigned based on your eye exam at the DMV.
  • Age-based restrictions explore to drivers under 18 and include limits on passengers, phone use, and driving hours during the first six months after licensure.
  • Medical restrictions (hearing aid required, automatic transmission only, left foot accelerator) are added when you disclose a condition or fail a medical evaluation.
  • You can request a restriction removal by passing a new vision test, medical exam, or age threshold, depending on the type of restriction.

Common Vision and Physical Restrictions

Vision restrictions are assigned during your eye exam at the Texas DMV. If you fail the vision screening (cannot read 20/40 or better in each eye, with or without correction), the examiner will note what correction you need. The most common restriction is Corrective Lenses Required — you must wear glasses or contacts every time you drive. If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, the examiner may add Outside Mirrors Required to compensate for the blind spot created by the lens line. If your peripheral vision is reduced (often from glaucoma or retinal conditions), you may receive a Limited Peripheral Vision restriction, which may also require you to use outside mirrors or restrict driving to daylight hours.

Physical restrictions are less common but explore when you have a condition that affects your ability to operate the vehicle safely. Automatic Transmission Only means you cannot drive a manual (stick shift) vehicle. Left Foot Accelerator Required or Right Foot Accelerator Only applies to drivers with leg or foot injuries. Hearing Aid Required is assigned if you are deaf or hard of hearing and rely on a hearing aid to drive safely. Adaptive Equipment Required is a catch-all for any other device — hand controls, spinner knob, or seat cushion — that you need to operate the vehicle.

Violating a vision or physical restriction is a traffic violation. If you are stopped and you are not wearing your corrective lenses, or you are driving a manual transmission when restricted to automatic, you can be cited. The violation does not automatically suspend your license, but it counts against your driving record and can raise your insurance rates.

Age-Based Restrictions for Drivers Under 18

Texas imposes automatic restrictions on all drivers under 18 during their first six months of holding a Class D (regular car) license. These restrictions are part of the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program and are designed to reduce crash risk in the highest-risk age group. The restrictions explore whether you passed your test at 16 or 17 — the clock starts from the date your license is issued, not your birthday.

During the first six months, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or a medical appointment. You also cannot have more than one passenger under 21 in the vehicle (when ready family members are exempt). You cannot use a cell phone or wireless device while driving, even hands-free, except to report an emergency. At six months, the midnight-to-5 a.m. restriction lifts, but the passenger and phone restrictions remain until you turn 18. Once you turn 18, all GDL restrictions are automatically removed — you do not need to visit the DMV or request removal.

If you violate a GDL restriction, you face a traffic citation and a fine. A second violation within 12 months can result in license suspension for up to 30 days. If you are under 18 and receive a traffic ticket for any reason (not just GDL violations), your license is automatically suspended for 30 days on the first ticket, and 60 days on a second ticket within 12 months.

Medical Restrictions and Conditional Licenses

If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely — diabetes, seizure disorder, heart condition, sleep apnea, or cognitive impairment — the Texas DMV may issue a Conditional License with restrictions, or may deny your license outright. You are required by law to disclose any condition that impairs your ability to drive safely when you explore for or renew your license. The DMV does not routinely screen for medical conditions; the burden is on you to report them honestly.

Common medical restrictions include Daylight Driving Only (no driving after sunset or before sunrise), Local Driving Only (no highway driving), and Automatic Transmission Only (if you have limited mobility). Some conditions result in a Conditional License that requires you to carry a letter from your doctor stating that you are medically safe to drive. If your condition worsens or you have a medical event (a seizure, a fainting spell, a crash caused by your condition), you must report it to the DMV. Failure to report a medical condition that causes a crash can result in criminal charges in addition to license suspension.

If you receive a medical restriction and later your condition improves or is controlled by medication, you can request removal of the restriction. You will need a letter from your doctor stating that you are now safe to drive without the restriction, and you may need to pass a new vision or road test. The DMV will review the letter and decide whether to remove the restriction, modify it, or keep it in place.

Restrictions Related to Alcohol or Drug Convictions

If you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), or any drug-related driving offense in Texas, your license will be suspended, not restricted. However, after your suspension period ends, you may be issued a license with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Restriction. This restriction requires you to install and maintain an IID in any vehicle you drive. The device measures your breath alcohol content before the engine will start. If you blow a positive result, the vehicle will not start, and the event is recorded.

An IID restriction is mandatory for a second DWI conviction within five years, and is optional (but often court-ordered) for a first conviction. The restriction remains in place for a minimum of six months to three years, depending on your conviction and whether you have prior offenses. You pay for the device installation and monthly monitoring — costs typically range from $60 to $150 per month, though this varies by provider.

Tampering with, removing, or bypassing an IID is a criminal offense. Driving a vehicle without an IID when restricted to use one is a violation and can result in license suspension and criminal charges. If you are restricted to an IID and you need to drive a vehicle you do not own (a rental car, a borrowed vehicle), you must may support that vehicle also has an IID installed, or you cannot drive it.

How Restrictions Appear on Your License and What They Mean

Restrictions are printed on the back of your Texas driver's license as a series of letter codes. Each code corresponds to a specific restriction. For example, A means Corrective Lenses Required, B means Automatic Transmission Only, and D means Daylight Driving Only. A full list of restriction codes is available on the Texas Department of Public Safety website, but you do not need to memorize them — your license will show the code and a brief description of what it means.

If you have multiple restrictions, they will all appear on the back of your license. For example, you might have both A (Corrective Lenses) and D (Daylight Driving), meaning you must wear glasses and cannot drive after dark. Law enforcement can see all your restrictions when they run your license during a traffic stop. If you violate any restriction, you can be cited.

You should review the back of your license when you receive it to confirm that all restrictions are correct. If a restriction is listed that you do not believe applies to you, or if a restriction is missing, contact your local DMV office to request a correction. Errors are rare, but they do happen, and it is your responsibility to catch them.

Removing or Modifying a Restriction

The process for removing a restriction depends on the type of restriction and why it was imposed. Vision restrictions can be removed by passing a new vision exam at the DMV. You must score 20/40 or better in each eye (with or without correction) to pass. If you have had eye surgery or a change in your prescription, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor first, then visit the DMV with your updated prescription. The vision exam is free; you pay only the license renewal fee if the restriction is removed.

Age-based restrictions are automatically removed when you turn 18 — no action is required. Medical restrictions require a letter from your doctor stating that your condition no longer impairs your driving ability, or that it is now controlled by medication. Submit the letter to your local DMV office and request a review. The DMV may remove the restriction, modify it, or require you to pass a road test before removal. IID restrictions are removed only after the court-ordered period expires and you have complied with all monitoring requirements. You cannot request early removal.

Physical restrictions like Automatic Transmission Only or Adaptive Equipment Required can be removed only if your condition has improved. You will need medical documentation and may need to pass a road test in a vehicle without the restriction to prove you can operate it safely. Contact your local DMV office to learn what documentation is required for your specific restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if I do not follow a restriction on my license?

No. Violating a restriction is a traffic violation. If you are stopped and you are not following your restriction — for example, you are driving after dark when restricted to daylight only, or you are not wearing corrective lenses — you can be cited and fined. Repeated violations can result in license suspension.

Do I have to pay extra to add or remove a restriction?

Adding a restriction does not cost extra — it is noted on your license at no additional charge. Removing a restriction requires you to pass the relevant test (vision exam, medical review, or road test) and pay the standard license renewal fee. Some tests (like a road test) may have an additional fee depending on your DMV office.

What happens if I get a medical restriction and then my condition gets worse?

You are required to report any worsening of your condition to the DMV. If you do not report it and you are involved in a crash, you may face criminal charges in addition to license suspension. Contact your local DMV office or call the Texas DPS to report a change in your medical status.

Can a restriction be added to my license after I already have it?

Yes. If you fail a vision test during a renewal, or if you report a new medical condition, a restriction can be added to your license. You will receive a new license in the mail with the restriction noted. If you are issued a restriction due to a medical condition and you disagree with it, you can request a hearing with the DMV to challenge the decision.

Do restrictions from another state transfer to Texas?

No. When you move to Texas and obtain a Texas license, you start fresh. The DMV will conduct its own vision exam and medical review. If you had a restriction in another state, it does not automatically carry over — but if you have the same condition, the Texas DMV may impose the same or a similar restriction based on your exam results.