Restriction AB is a vision correction requirement, not a limitation on where or when you can drive

Restriction AB on your Texas driver's license means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — every time you drive. It does not restrict the hours you can drive, the roads you can use, or the type of vehicle you can operate. It is purely about vision correction.

Texas adds this restriction during your vision screening at the Department of Public Safety (DPS). If you fail the vision test without correction but pass it with glasses or contacts, the examiner will mark your license with "AB" to show that corrective lenses are required as a condition of your driving privilege.

The restriction stays on your license for its entire validity period — typically five years for a standard adult license. You can request removal only if you later pass the vision test without correction, which would require a new vision screening at a DPS office.

Key Takeaways

  • Restriction AB means you must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle, with no exceptions.
  • The restriction appears on your license after you fail the vision screening without correction but pass it with corrective lenses.
  • Restriction AB does not limit what time of day you can drive, what roads you can use, or what vehicles you can operate.
  • You can have the restriction removed by passing a vision test without correction at any DPS office.
  • Driving without the required corrective lenses when Restriction AB is on your license is a violation and can result in a ticket.

How the vision screening determines Restriction AB

During your license exam at the DPS, you will take a vision test as part of the standard screening. The examiner checks your ability to read letters and numbers on a chart from a set distance. Texas requires you to see at least 20/40 vision in each eye, or 20/40 in one eye and 20/60 in the other, to pass without correction.

If you cannot meet that standard without glasses or contacts, the examiner will ask you to take the test again while wearing your corrective lenses. If you pass with them on, the examiner will add Restriction AB to your license. This is a routine outcome — many people receive this restriction, and it does not affect your ability to get a standard license or renew it later.

If you fail the vision test even with correction, you will not receive a license at that time. You would need to see an eye care professional, get a new prescription if necessary, and return to the DPS to try again.

What you must do when Restriction AB is on your license

The requirement is straightforward: wear your corrective lenses every time you drive. This includes short trips, driving in daylight, driving in familiar areas, and any other circumstance. There is no exception for low-speed driving, residential streets, or any other condition.

Keep your glasses or contacts in your vehicle or with you at all times when you are driving. If you are stopped by a police officer and you are not wearing the required correction, you can be cited for violating the restriction. The citation is separate from any other traffic violation and can result in a fine.

If your prescription changes, you do not need to update your license when ready — your restriction remains valid as long as you are wearing the current prescription that corrects your vision to the required standard. However, if you get a new prescription, make sure it meets the 20/40 standard before you drive.

Removing Restriction AB from your license

You can request removal of Restriction AB by visiting a DPS office and taking another vision screening. If you now pass the test without corrective lenses — meaning your vision has improved or your prescription has changed significantly — the examiner will remove the restriction from your license.

There is no fee for the vision screening itself, though you may need to pay a fee to update your license if the restriction is removed. The exact fee depends on how much time remains on your current license and whether you are renewing or amending an existing license.

You do not need an appointment for a vision screening at most DPS offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Visiting early in the morning or on weekday mornings typically means shorter waits than afternoons or weekends.

Restriction AB versus other common license restrictions

Texas uses several letter-code restrictions on driver's licenses, each with a different meaning. Restriction AB is vision-specific, but you may see others on your license or on someone else's:

  • Restriction B means corrective lenses are required, but only for daylight driving — you cannot drive at night without them.
  • Restriction D means you cannot drive on interstate highways.
  • Restriction E means you cannot drive outside Texas.
  • Restriction F means you must use an automatic transmission vehicle only.

A single license can have multiple restrictions. For example, you might have both AB and D, meaning you must wear corrective lenses at all times and cannot drive on interstates. Each restriction is independent and must be followed separately.

What happens if you are caught driving without the required correction

If a police officer stops you and you are not wearing your corrective lenses when Restriction AB is on your license, you can receive a citation. This is a traffic violation and typically results in a fine. The amount varies by county and the officer's discretion, but it is usually between $100 and $200.

A violation for breaking a license restriction does not automatically suspend your license, but it becomes part of your driving record. If you accumulate multiple violations, your license could be suspended or revoked through a separate process. Additionally, if you are involved in a crash and you were not wearing required correction, it could affect insurance claims or liability determinations.

The best approach is to make wearing your corrective lenses a habit before you get behind the wheel. Keep your glasses in a case in your vehicle, or wear your contacts before you leave home. This protects you legally and makes driving safer for everyone on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with Restriction AB if I just forgot my glasses?

No. The restriction requires corrective lenses every time you drive, with no exceptions. If you forget your glasses, you should not drive. If you are stopped without them, you can be cited for violating the restriction.

Does Restriction AB mean I cannot drive at night?

Restriction AB does not limit the time of day you can drive. You must wear corrective lenses at all times — day and night. If you need a restriction that limits you to daytime driving only, that would be Restriction B, which is different from AB.

Will Restriction AB show up on my record if someone runs a background check?

Yes. Your license restrictions are visible to law enforcement and appear on your driving record. They do not show up on criminal background checks, but they are part of your official driving history.

How long does it take to remove Restriction AB after I pass a new vision test?

The restriction is usually removed when ready after you pass the vision screening without correction. You will receive an updated license in the mail within one to two weeks, but the restriction is lifted as soon as the examiner processes the test result.

What if I wear contact lenses — does that count as meeting Restriction AB?

Yes. Restriction AB requires corrective lenses, and contact lenses satisfy that requirement. You must wear them every time you drive, just as you would with glasses.