Restriction B is a corrective lenses 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 on your license as a small code, and law enforcement can see it during a traffic stop. If you drive without the corrective lenses you were required to wear, you can be cited for violating the restriction, even if your vision is otherwise legal to drive.
The restriction is placed on your license during the vision screening at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) when you take your written and driving tests. If you fail the vision test without correction but pass it with glasses or contacts, the examiner adds Restriction B to your license. This protects you and others on the road by ensuring you have the vision correction you need.
Restriction B stays on your license for the full term of your license — typically five or six years for an adult, depending on your age. You cannot remove it yourself; you would need to pass the vision test without correction at a DPS office to have it removed, or wait until you renew your license and pass the vision screening again without correction.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle, and the restriction is visible to police officers.
- The restriction is added during your vision screening at the DPS if you cannot read the eye chart without correction but can with it.
- Driving without your corrective lenses when Restriction B is on your license is a traffic violation and can result in a citation.
- You can remove Restriction B by passing a vision test without correction at any DPS office, or it will be reassessed when you renew your license.
- Restriction B does not affect your ability to drive or your insurance rates; it is straightforward a safety requirement tied to your vision.
How the vision screening works at the DPS
When you explore for a Texas driver's license or renew one, you must pass a vision screening before you can take the written test. The DPS uses a standard eye chart, and you read it from a set distance. The examiner first tests your vision without any correction. If you cannot read the required line on the chart, they then test you with your glasses or contacts.
If you pass without correction, no restriction is added. If you fail without correction but pass with correction, Restriction B is added to your license. The examiner does not need a prescription or any paperwork from an eye doctor — they only care whether you can see well enough to drive safely with the correction you bring to the test.
You are allowed to wear your glasses or contacts during the vision screening, and you should bring them if you normally wear them. If you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, tell the examiner, because they may test you at different distances to make sure your correction works for driving.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
If you have Restriction B on your license and a police officer stops you, they can see the restriction on your license during the traffic stop. If you are not wearing your glasses or contacts, the officer can cite you for violating the restriction. This is a separate violation from any other traffic offense — you could be stopped for speeding, for example, and also cited for violating Restriction B if you are not wearing your correction.
The penalty for violating Restriction B varies, but it is typically treated as a minor traffic violation. You may receive a fine, and the violation will appear on your driving record. Repeated violations could affect your insurance rates or lead to license suspension in some cases, though a single violation is usually not severe.
The restriction exists because your vision without correction is not safe for driving. Even if you feel fine driving without glasses, the restriction is there to protect you and other drivers. If your vision has improved and you no longer need correction, you can have the restriction removed by passing a vision test without correction.
How to remove Restriction B from your license
You can remove Restriction B by visiting any DPS office and requesting a vision retest. You do not need an appointment, and there is no fee for the retest. straightforward tell the examiner that you want to be tested without correction to see if Restriction B can be removed. If you pass the vision test without your glasses or contacts, the restriction will be removed when ready, and you will receive a new license with the restriction code removed.
If you fail the retest without correction, Restriction B will remain on your license. You can try again at any time, but most people find that if they needed correction when the restriction was added, they will still need it. Some people's vision does improve naturally over time, especially younger drivers, so it is worth retesting if you believe your vision has changed.
Another way Restriction B is removed is automatically when you renew your license. At renewal, you will take a new vision screening. If you pass without correction at that time, the restriction will not be added to your new license. If you still need correction, Restriction B will be added again to your renewed license.
Restriction B and insurance
Restriction B does not directly affect your car insurance rates or your ability to get insurance. Insurance companies do not typically ask about license restrictions, and the restriction itself is not a factor in how insurers price your policy. However, if you violate the restriction and receive a citation, that violation will appear on your driving record, and a traffic violation can increase your insurance rates.
The key is to follow the restriction: wear your corrective lenses every time you drive. This keeps you safe, keeps you legal, and keeps your driving record clean. If you have questions about how a traffic violation might affect your insurance, contact your insurance company directly, as rates vary by company and state.
Other common Texas driver's license restrictions
Restriction B is one of several codes that can appear on a Texas driver's license. Restriction A requires you to wear a hearing aid if you are deaf or hard of hearing. Restriction C means you cannot drive a commercial vehicle. Restriction D limits you to driving only vehicles with an automatic transmission. Other restrictions cover things like prosthetic devices, vehicles with special equipment, or daylight-only driving for certain medical conditions.
Each restriction is added based on the results of your vision, hearing, or medical screening at the DPS, or based on the type of license you are seeking. Like Restriction B, most restrictions stay on your license until you renew or until you pass a new screening that shows the restriction is no longer needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with contacts instead of glasses if I have Restriction B?
Yes. Restriction B requires corrective lenses, which includes either glasses or contact lenses. As long as you are wearing one or the other, you are following the restriction. You do not have to wear the same type of correction you wore during your vision screening — you just need to wear some form of correction.
Will Restriction B show up on my driving record?
Restriction B is part of your license, not a violation on your driving record. It will appear on your license itself and will be visible to police officers. However, straightforward having the restriction does not create a record of violations. Only if you are cited for driving without your corrective lenses will a violation appear on your record.
What if I forgot my glasses and got pulled over?
If you are cited for violating Restriction B, you can contest the citation in traffic court. You may be able to show that you normally wear correction and straightforward forgot them that day, though the officer's report will be the main evidence. It is best to avoid this situation by always wearing your correction when you drive.
Do I need a prescription to pass the vision test with glasses?
No. The DPS does not require a prescription or any paperwork from an eye doctor. You straightforward need to bring your glasses or contacts and be able to read the eye chart while wearing them. The examiner only cares that you can see well enough to drive safely with the correction you have.
Can I get a hardship license if I have Restriction B?
A hardship license (also called an occupational license) is issued when your regular license is suspended. Restriction B itself does not suspend your license, so you would not need a hardship license because of the restriction. However, if you were suspended for violating the restriction repeatedly, you might be able to request a hardship license for work purposes.