Restriction G is a corrective lens requirement that Texas adds to your license
Restriction G means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. Texas DMV adds this restriction during your vision screening at the license office. If you fail the vision test without correction but pass with glasses or contacts, you receive a license with Restriction G printed on it. You cannot legally drive without wearing the corrective lenses you were wearing when you passed the test.
The restriction appears as a small code on the front of your license, usually near your name or in the restrictions section. It is not optional, and it is not a suggestion. Law enforcement can cite you for driving without the required correction, even if you can see well enough to pass a test without them on any given day.
Restriction G is one of the most common restrictions issued in Texas. It does not limit where you can drive, what hours you can drive, or what type of vehicle you can operate — only that you must have your corrective lenses with you and in use.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction G requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle, as determined by your vision test at the DMV.
- You receive Restriction G if you fail the vision screening without correction but pass with corrective lenses in place.
- The restriction is legally enforceable; driving without your required correction is a violation and can result in a citation.
- You can remove Restriction G by passing a vision test without correction at any Texas DMV office, though this requires your vision to actually improve.
How the vision test determines whether you get Restriction G
During your license appointment, a DMV employee will conduct a vision screening before you take your written test. You will read letters or numbers on a chart from a set distance. The standard is 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without correction.
If you cannot meet 20/40 without glasses or contacts but can with them, the examiner will note this and add Restriction G to your license. The restriction is based on what you could see during that specific test — not on your prescription strength or what an eye doctor says you need.
If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, tell the examiner before the test begins. Some examiners will test you with and without them to determine whether the restriction applies only to distance driving or to all driving. This matters if your bifocals correct for distance but not close-up, or vice versa.
What you must do if you have Restriction G
You must carry your corrective lenses with you whenever you drive. This means glasses in your vehicle or contact lenses in your eyes. If you are stopped by law enforcement and cannot produce your lenses or are not wearing them, you can be cited for violating your license restriction.
If you wear contact lenses, keep a backup pair of glasses in your vehicle. Contact lenses can tear, fall out, or become uncomfortable during a long drive. A police officer will not accept "I have contacts in" as proof if you cannot demonstrate them or if they have fallen out.
If you wear glasses, keep them accessible — not in the trunk, not in a bag in the back seat. They should be within arm's reach while you are driving. Sunglasses do not count as corrective lenses unless they are prescription sunglasses that correct your vision to the standard you met during your test.
Removing Restriction G from your license
You can remove Restriction G by visiting any Texas DMV office and requesting a vision retest. You do not need to renew your license or pay a fee. The examiner will conduct the same vision screening, this time without any corrective lenses. If you pass at 20/40 or better in at least one eye without correction, the restriction will be removed.
This is a straightforward process, but it requires that your vision has actually improved. If you still cannot meet the standard without correction, the restriction will remain. Some people pursue vision correction surgery (LASIK or PRK) specifically to remove Restriction G, though this is a personal medical decision with its own costs and recovery time.
When your restriction is removed, you do not receive a new physical license card when ready. The removal is recorded in the Texas DMV system. Your next renewal will issue a card without the restriction. If you need proof of the removal before then, you can request a duplicate license or a letter from the DMV office where you took the retest.
Restriction G and commercial driver's licenses
If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), Restriction G has stricter implications. Federal regulations require CDL holders to meet vision standards without correction in most cases. If you have Restriction G on a CDL, it means you can only operate non-commercial vehicles or commercial vehicles in very limited circumstances.
Many CDL holders with Restriction G pursue vision correction surgery to remove it, because the restriction severely limits the types of driving jobs available to them. If you are considering a CDL and know you will need Restriction G, discuss this with your employer or training program before you begin, as it may affect your job prospects.
Common mistakes with Restriction G
The most common mistake is forgetting to bring your corrective lenses on a trip or lending your glasses to someone else. If you are pulled over and cannot produce your lenses, you will be cited. Keep a second pair of glasses in your vehicle as a backup.
Another mistake is assuming that Restriction G only applies to highway driving or long distances. It applies to all driving — parking lot, residential street, or interstate. There is no exception for short trips or low-speed areas.
Some people also misunderstand what "corrective lenses" means. Sunglasses without a prescription do not count. Reading glasses do not count unless they were the lenses you wore during your vision test. You must wear the same type of correction (or better) that you wore when you passed the test.
What happens if you are cited for violating Restriction G
Driving without your required corrective lenses is a traffic violation in Texas. The citation is typically a minor offense, but it goes on your driving record. You may face a fine, and your insurance company may be notified.
If you are cited, you have the option to contest the citation in traffic court. You can argue that you were wearing your correction, that the restriction was issued in error, or that your vision has improved since the restriction was added. Bring documentation from an eye care professional if you have it.
Repeated violations can affect your insurance rates and your driving record. If you are unsure whether your vision still requires correction, take a retest at the DMV rather than risk a citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with Restriction G if I am wearing sunglasses instead of my regular glasses?
Only if your sunglasses are prescription lenses that correct your vision to the same standard you met during your test. Regular sunglasses, even dark prescription lenses, do not satisfy Restriction G unless they were the exact lenses you wore during your vision screening. If you want to wear sunglasses while driving, ask your eye care provider for prescription sunglasses that match your correction.
Do I have to tell a police officer about Restriction G if I am pulled over?
You do not have to volunteer the information, but your license will show the restriction. If the officer asks about it or notices it, be honest and show that you are wearing your corrective lenses. If you are not wearing them, tell the officer when ready rather than waiting for them to discover the violation.
If I get LASIK surgery, do I need to go back to the DMV to remove Restriction G?
Yes. After your vision has stabilized following surgery (usually several weeks), you can visit a Texas DMV office and request a vision retest without correction. If you pass, the restriction will be removed from your record. You do not need a letter from your surgeon, but having one can help explain why your vision has improved.
What if I lost my glasses and I have Restriction G — can I still drive to get new ones?
Legally, no. Driving without your required correction is a violation, even if your destination is an eyeglasses store. You would need to have someone else drive you, use a ride service, or wait until you can replace your glasses. This is why keeping a backup pair in your vehicle is important.
Does Restriction G appear on my license record if someone runs a background check?
Restriction G appears on your driving record and will show up in any background check that includes your driving history. It is not a criminal matter and does not affect employment background checks that do not specifically review driving records. However, employers in transportation, delivery, or other driving-related fields will see it.