Restriction B is a corrective lenses requirement
Restriction B on a 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 printed code, and driving without the required lenses is a violation of your license conditions, even if you have perfect vision in one eye or believe you can see well enough without them.
Texas imposes Restriction B during the vision screening at the DMV if your uncorrected vision does not meet the state's minimum standard, but your corrected vision (with glasses or contacts) does. The restriction is not optional and not something you can ignore on certain drives or in certain conditions. It is a legal requirement tied to your specific license.
The restriction stays on your license for the full validity period unless you request a vision retest and pass without correction. You cannot remove it by straightforward wearing lenses for a period of time; you must return to the DMV, pass the vision exam without correction, and request the restriction be lifted.
Key Takeaways
- Restriction B requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses every time you operate a vehicle in Texas.
- The restriction is assigned during your vision screening if your uncorrected vision fails but corrected vision passes the DMV standard.
- Driving without the required lenses while Restriction B is on your license is a traffic violation and can result in a citation.
- You can request removal of Restriction B by returning to the DMV and passing the vision test without corrective lenses.
How Texas vision screening works and when Restriction B is assigned
When you take the vision test at the Texas DMV, the examiner first tests your uncorrected vision — the vision you have without any lenses. If that vision meets the minimum standard (20/40 in at least one eye, with or without correction in the other eye), you pass without restriction. If your uncorrected vision does not meet the standard but your vision with glasses or contacts does, the examiner assigns Restriction B.
The examiner will note on your process that you require corrective lenses. This information goes into the DMV database and prints on your physical license card as a restriction code. You will see the letter "B" listed under the restrictions section of your license, along with a description such as "Corrective lenses required."
Restriction B is one of the most common restrictions issued in Texas. It does not affect your driving privileges otherwise — you can drive any vehicle class you are licensed for, at any time of day, in any weather — but you must have the lenses on your face while doing so.
What happens if you drive without the required lenses
Driving with Restriction B on your license but without wearing corrective lenses is a violation of your license conditions. A police officer who stops you can cite you for driving in violation of a license restriction. This is typically charged as a Class C misdemeanor in Texas, which can result in a fine of up to $500.
The violation appears on your driving record and can affect your insurance rates. It also creates a separate legal issue from any traffic citation you might receive for the reason you were stopped in the first place. For example, if you are pulled over for speeding and the officer notices you are not wearing glasses despite Restriction B, you could receive both a speeding citation and a restriction violation citation.
If you are involved in an accident while driving without the required lenses, the restriction violation can be used against you in insurance claims or civil liability cases. Insurance companies may deny coverage or reduce the amount they pay if they determine you were violating a known license restriction at the time of the crash.
How to remove Restriction B from your license
To remove Restriction B, you must return to a Texas DMV office and request a vision retest. You will take the vision screening again, this time without any corrective lenses. If your uncorrected vision now meets the state minimum standard, the examiner will note that the restriction can be removed.
You will need to pay a fee for the retest and for the replacement license card that reflects the removal of the restriction. The fee for a replacement license in Texas is typically $16 for a Class C (regular) license, though fees can vary slightly by county. The new license card will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
If your uncorrected vision still does not meet the standard during the retest, Restriction B will remain on your license. You can request another retest at any time, but the DMV will not remove the restriction unless you pass the vision exam without lenses. There is no time limit on how long Restriction B can stay on your license — it remains for the full validity period of your license (typically 5 or 8 years, depending on your age) unless you pass a retest.
Restriction B versus other Texas license restrictions
Texas uses several restriction codes, and Restriction B is distinct from others. Restriction A requires corrective lenses and also limits you to daytime driving only — you cannot drive at night. Restriction B has no time-of-day limitation; you can drive 24 hours a day as long as you are wearing the required lenses.
Restriction C requires an outside left mirror (common for certain vehicle types). Restriction D requires an automatic transmission. Other restrictions address specific medical conditions, vehicle modifications, or geographic limits. If you have multiple restrictions, all of them will print on your license, and you must comply with each one.
If you have Restriction A and your vision improves, you may be able to move to Restriction B (removing the nighttime limit) or remove the restriction entirely, depending on your new vision test results. The DMV will assign the least restrictive code that matches your actual vision capability.
What to bring to the DMV for a vision retest
Bring your current Texas driver's license, a valid form of identification (such as a passport or state ID if your license is expired), and proof of residency if your address has changed. You do not need an appointment for a vision retest in most Texas DMV offices, though some offices allow you to reserve a time slot online to reduce wait time.
Arrive without wearing your corrective lenses if you want the restriction removed. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before you arrive or at least before you enter the vision screening area. The examiner will test your uncorrected vision, so arriving with lenses on will result in a failed retest and the restriction will remain.
Bring payment for the retest fee and the replacement license fee. Most Texas DMV offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Some offices have ATMs on-site if you need cash. The total cost is usually around $16 to $20, depending on your county and whether any additional services are needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear sunglasses instead of regular glasses if I have Restriction B?
No. Restriction B requires corrective lenses, which means lenses that correct your vision deficiency. Sunglasses without a prescription do not correct vision and do not satisfy the restriction. Prescription sunglasses do satisfy the restriction, as long as they have your correct prescription in them. If you are unsure whether your sunglasses have a corrective prescription, check with your eye doctor or optometrist.
Does Restriction B affect my ability to get a commercial driver's license?
Yes. To obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Texas, you must pass a vision test without any restrictions. If you have Restriction B on your regular license, you will need to pass the CDL vision exam without corrective lenses, or you will receive the same restriction on your CDL. Some CDL positions may not be available to drivers with vision restrictions, depending on the employer's safety requirements.
What if I lost my glasses and got pulled over?
Losing or forgetting your corrective lenses does not excuse you from the restriction. If you are stopped and cannot produce the required lenses, you are in violation of your license restriction. You could receive a citation. If this happens, your best course of action is to explain the situation to the officer and ask whether you can call someone to bring your lenses to you, though the officer is not required to wait. In the future, keep a backup pair of glasses in your vehicle.
How long does it take to get a replacement license after Restriction B is removed?
After you pass the vision retest without lenses, the DMV will issue a replacement license card by mail. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. You can request expedited delivery (3 to 5 business days) for an additional fee, typically around $5 to $10. You can drive legally during this period using your old license as long as you comply with any restrictions still on it.
Can I dispute a Restriction B assignment if I think the vision test was wrong?
You can request a retest when ready if you believe the initial screening was inaccurate. The DMV will conduct another vision exam at no additional charge if you request it on the same day as your original test. If you want to dispute the result after leaving the office, you can return for a retest and pay the standard retest fee. If you believe there was a medical or equipment error, you can bring documentation from your eye doctor to the DMV, though the DMV is not required to override its own test results based on outside documentation.