Restriction B is a corrective lens requirement
Restriction B on your Texas driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. The restriction appears as a code on the back of your license, and driving without the required lenses is a violation, even if you're only going a short distance.
This restriction is issued when the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) determines during your vision screening that you need correction to drive safely. It's one of the most common restrictions placed on Texas licenses, and it doesn't prevent you from driving — it just sets a condition you must follow.
The restriction stays on your license for the full validity period unless you pass a new vision test showing you no longer need correction. You can request a vision retest at any time if your eyesight has improved or if you've had corrective surgery.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses whenever you operate a vehicle, with no exceptions for short trips.
- DPS places this restriction based on your vision screening results during the license exam or renewal.
- You can remove the restriction by passing a new vision test at a DPS office, which costs the same as a standard vision screening.
- Driving without your required lenses when Restriction B is on your license counts as a traffic violation and can result in a ticket.
- The restriction appears as a code on the back of your license so officers can see it during a traffic stop.
How the vision screening determines Restriction B
When you take your written test or renew your license, DPS administers a vision screening as part of the process. The screener checks your visual acuity — how clearly you can see — and tests your peripheral vision and color perception. If your uncorrected vision falls below the legal standard for driving in Texas, you're asked to put on your glasses or contacts and be rescreened.
If your corrected vision meets the standard, DPS issues your license with Restriction B noted on it. The restriction documents that you passed the vision test only while wearing correction. If you fail the vision screening even with correction, you will not receive a license until your vision improves or you seek additional medical evaluation.
The legal standard in Texas is 20/40 vision in each eye, or 20/30 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, with or without correction. If you can only meet that standard with glasses or contacts, Restriction B is added to your license.
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 a police officer stops you and sees the restriction on your license, they can issue you a citation. The violation is typically classified as a minor offense, but it still goes on your driving record and can affect your insurance rates.
Beyond the legal consequence, driving without correction when you need it puts you and others at risk. Your vision affects your ability to see road signs, judge distance, and react to hazards. If you're involved in an accident and it's discovered that you were driving without required correction, it can complicate insurance claims or liability determinations.
If you forget your glasses or contacts, the safest choice is not to drive. Keep a backup pair in your vehicle or at work so you always have correction available when you need to drive.
Removing Restriction B with a vision retest
You can have Restriction B removed from your license by passing a new vision screening without correction. This is possible if your eyesight has naturally improved, if you've had corrective surgery like LASIK, or if you straightforward want to confirm your current vision status. You do not need to wait for your license to expire — you can request a retest at any DPS office at any time.
To request a vision retest, visit a DPS office in person with your current license and payment for the vision screening fee. The fee varies but is typically the same cost as the vision portion of a standard license renewal. The screener will test your vision without correction, and if you meet the legal standard, your license will be reissued without Restriction B.
If you've had LASIK or another refractive surgery, bring documentation of the procedure. Some DPS offices may want to see a letter from your eye surgeon confirming the surgery and your current vision status, though this is not always required. Call your local DPS office ahead of time to ask what documentation they recommend.
Restriction B versus other common license restrictions
Texas uses several restriction codes on driver's licenses, and Restriction B is distinct from others. Restriction A requires corrective lenses and also limits you to daylight driving only — a more severe restriction issued when vision is marginal even with correction. Restriction C requires an outside left mirror. Restriction D limits you to automatic transmission vehicles.
You can have more than one restriction on your license. For example, you might have both Restriction B (corrective lenses) and Restriction C (outside mirror) if you need both accommodations to drive safely. Each restriction is independent, and you must follow all of them.
If you receive a license with a restriction you don't understand, ask the DPS employee to explain it before you leave the office. The back of your license will show the restriction code, and you can also look up the meaning in the Texas Transportation Code or ask at any DPS office.
When Restriction B is added during renewal
Restriction B can be added to your license at renewal even if you didn't have it before. This happens when your vision has changed since your last license was issued. During the renewal vision screening, if your corrected vision no longer meets the legal standard, or if you fail the screening without correction, DPS will add the restriction to your new license.
If this happens to you, it's a sign to schedule an eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Your vision may have changed gradually, and a professional eye doctor can determine whether your current prescription is still accurate or whether you need an updated one. A new prescription might allow you to pass the vision screening without restriction at your next renewal.
You don't have to wait for renewal to address a vision change. If you get a new prescription before your license expires, you can visit a DPS office and request a vision retest to have Restriction B removed early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a restricted license if I don't wear my glasses all the time?
No. Restriction B means you must wear correction every time you drive, not just when you feel you need it. The restriction is based on your vision test results, which determine that you cannot safely meet the legal driving standard without correction. You cannot choose when to follow the restriction.
Does Restriction B affect my ability to renew my license online?
You can renew your license online only if you don't need a new vision screening. If your license is expiring and you have Restriction B, you can renew online if you had a vision screening within the past year at a DPS office. Otherwise, you must visit a DPS office in person for the required vision test.
What if I got Restriction B but I think my vision is better than the test showed?
You can request another vision screening at any DPS office. Bring your current license and the fee for a vision retest. If you pass the new screening without correction, the restriction will be removed. If you fail again, the restriction remains, and you may want to see an eye doctor to discuss your vision and prescription.
Will Restriction B show up on my driving record when I explore for insurance?
Restrictions appear on your license but are not part of your driving record in the same way violations or accidents are. However, insurance companies can see your license information, including restrictions. Having Restriction B itself should not increase your rates, but it documents that you need correction to drive safely.
Can I drive someone else's car if I have Restriction B?
Yes, as long as you're wearing your required corrective lenses. Restriction B applies to you as a driver, not to specific vehicles. You must follow the restriction in any vehicle you operate — your own car, a rental, a borrowed car, or a commercial vehicle.