What the G Restriction Is

A G restriction on a Texas driver's license means you are not allowed to drive without corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — in your vehicle at all times while driving. If you are stopped by police and you are not wearing the corrective lenses you were required to have, you can be cited for a violation, even if your vision is otherwise good enough to see the road.

The Texas Department of Public Safety adds this restriction during your vision test at the license office. If you fail the vision screening without correction but pass it with glasses or contacts, the examiner will place the G on your license. It appears on the front of your card and stays there until you remove it through a formal process.

This is not a suspension or a mark against your driving record. It is a condition of your license — a requirement you must follow every time you drive. Violating it is a traffic violation, not a criminal offense, but it can result in a ticket and a fine.

Key Takeaways

  • A G restriction requires you to wear corrective lenses every time you drive; driving without them is a traffic violation.
  • You receive the restriction if you fail the vision test without glasses or contacts but pass it with them.
  • You can remove the restriction by passing a new vision test at a Texas DPS office without needing corrective lenses.
  • Vision correction surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, often allows people to pass the test without lenses and remove the restriction.
  • The restriction costs nothing to add or remove — you only pay the standard fee for a replacement license if you choose to update it.

Why Texas Adds the G Restriction

Texas law requires all drivers to have vision that meets a minimum standard. The standard is 20/40 vision in each eye, or 20/40 in one eye and 20/60 in the other, with or without correction. If you cannot meet that standard without glasses or contacts, you cannot legally drive without them.

The restriction protects you and other drivers. If your vision is poor enough that you need correction to drive safely, the state wants to may support you are wearing that correction every time you are behind the wheel. A police officer can see the G on your license and know that you must be wearing lenses. If you are not, they can stop you before an accident happens.

The restriction is common. Many people receive it when they first get a license as a teenager or young adult, and many remove it later as their vision changes or after they have vision correction surgery.

How to Remove the G Restriction

To remove the G restriction, you must pass a vision test at a Texas Department of Public Safety office without wearing corrective lenses. You do not need to renew your entire license — you can request a vision retest at any time, and it costs nothing.

Schedule an appointment at your local DPS office or visit without an appointment, depending on your location. Bring your current driver's license. During the test, you will read the vision chart without glasses or contacts. If you pass — meaning your vision meets the 20/40 standard in each eye — the examiner will remove the restriction from your license on the spot.

If you do not pass the test, you keep the restriction. You can try again at any time, and there is no limit to how many times you can retest. Some people retest every year or two if they think their vision may have improved.

Vision Correction Surgery and the G Restriction

Many people remove the G restriction after having LASIK, PRK, or another refractive surgery that corrects vision permanently. These procedures reshape the cornea so that light focuses correctly on the retina, often eliminating the need for glasses or contacts.

If you have vision correction surgery, you should wait for your eyes to fully heal before retesting — usually four to six weeks after the procedure, though your surgeon will give you a specific timeline. Once healed, return to a DPS office and take the vision test again without lenses. If your vision now meets the standard, the restriction is removed.

Not everyone is a candidate for vision surgery, and the cost is not covered by most insurance plans. But if you are considering the surgery for other reasons, removing the G restriction is often a side benefit that makes the investment feel more worthwhile.

What Happens If You Drive Without the Correction

Driving without your required corrective lenses when you have a G restriction is a traffic violation in Texas. A police officer who stops you can cite you for violating the restriction. The citation typically results in a fine, usually between $100 and $200, though the exact amount varies by jurisdiction.

The violation does not automatically add points to your driving record or raise your insurance rates, but it is still a ticket you want to avoid. If you are pulled over multiple times for the same violation, it can affect your record and your insurance. The simplest solution is to keep your glasses or contacts in your vehicle and wear them whenever you drive.

If you forget your lenses at home, do not drive. Call someone for a ride, use a rideshare service, or wait until you can get your lenses. The few minutes of inconvenience is worth avoiding a ticket.

Keeping Your License Valid With the G Restriction

As long as you have the G restriction, you must wear corrective lenses every time you drive. This applies to all driving — commuting to work, running errands, driving at night, driving on highways, driving in your own neighborhood. There are no exceptions.

Keep your glasses or contacts accessible in your vehicle. If you wear contacts, keep a backup pair of glasses in your car in case a lens tears or falls out. If you wear glasses, keep a backup pair as well. This way, if something happens to your primary correction, you still have a way to drive safely and legally.

If your vision changes — if you need a stronger prescription, for example — update your glasses or contacts as soon as possible. Wearing an outdated prescription while driving is unsafe and could be cited as a violation if an officer determines your lenses are not adequate for safe driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my license without a G restriction if I wear contacts?

No. The restriction applies whether you wear glasses or contacts. If you need correction to meet the vision standard, you will receive the G restriction. The type of correction does not matter — only whether you need correction at all.

Do I have to renew my entire license to remove the G restriction?

No. You can request a vision retest at any DPS office without renewing your license. If you pass, the restriction is removed from your current license at no cost. You only need a replacement license if you want an updated card without the restriction printed on it.

How long does it take to remove the G restriction?

The vision test itself takes a few minutes. If you pass, the restriction is removed when ready. If you are getting a replacement license with the updated restriction status, that usually arrives by mail within one to two weeks.

What if I fail the vision test without lenses — can I try again?

Yes. You can retest at any time with no limit on attempts. Some people retest every few months or every year to see if their vision has improved naturally or after vision correction surgery.

Does the G restriction affect my insurance rates?

The restriction itself does not affect your rates. However, if you are cited for driving without your required lenses, that ticket can be reported to your insurance company and may increase your rates, depending on your policy and insurer.