The DL-14A is a restriction code that appears on your Texas driver license, not a separate document or form
When you see "DL-14A" printed on your Texas driver license, it is a restriction code — a short label that tells law enforcement and others what you are not allowed to do while driving. The code itself does not appear as a full sentence; instead, Texas prints it in a small box on the back of your license, usually near other codes or restrictions.
DL-14A specifically means you must wear corrective lenses — glasses or contact lenses — whenever you drive. If you received this restriction, it is because the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) determined during your vision test that you need correction to drive safely. Driving without your glasses or contacts when this restriction is on your license is a violation, even if you think you can see well enough.
This restriction stays on your license for the full term of your license — usually five or six years for adults in Texas — unless you pass a new vision test and request that it be removed.
Key Takeaways
- DL-14A is a restriction code printed on your Texas driver license that requires you to wear corrective lenses while driving.
- You received this restriction because your vision test showed you need glasses or contacts to meet Texas driving standards.
- Driving without your corrective lenses when this restriction is on your license is a traffic violation.
- You can request removal of the restriction by passing a new vision test at a DPS office or an approved vision testing location.
How the restriction appears on your license
The code "DL-14A" is printed in small text on the back of your physical driver license card, in a section labeled "Restrictions" or "Codes." You will not see it on the front of the card. If you have other restrictions — such as automatic transmission only, or corrective lenses for night driving only — those will appear as separate codes in the same section.
When you renew your license online or by mail in Texas, you will not see the restriction codes listed in the renewal paperwork. The codes only appear on the physical card itself. If you are unsure whether your current license has DL-14A on it, look at the back of the card or request a replacement card from DPS to see the current restrictions.
Why you received this restriction
Texas law requires that anyone who needs corrective lenses to see well enough to drive safely must have this restriction on their license. During your vision screening — whether at your initial license test, a renewal, or a vision retest — the examiner checked your eyesight. If you could not read the required line on the eye chart without glasses or contacts, or if your corrected vision (with glasses or contacts) did not meet the minimum standard, DPS added the DL-14A code.
The minimum vision standard in Texas is 20/40 in each eye with or without correction, or 20/40 in one eye and 20/60 in the other with or without correction. If you need lenses to reach that standard, the restriction is added automatically. This is a safety measure, not a punishment — it straightforward documents that you need correction to drive legally.
What happens if you drive without your corrective lenses
If a police officer stops you and sees the DL-14A restriction on your license, they can cite you for driving in violation of a license restriction. This is a separate traffic violation from any other infraction you might receive. The violation can result in a fine, points on your driving record, and potentially higher insurance rates.
More importantly, driving without the correction you need puts you and others at risk. The restriction exists because your uncorrected vision does not meet the legal standard for safe driving. Even if you feel comfortable driving without your glasses or contacts, the restriction means you are not legally permitted to do so.
How to remove the DL-14A restriction
To remove the restriction, you must pass a new vision test that shows you can meet Texas driving standards without corrective lenses, or that your corrected vision meets the standard and you no longer need the restriction. You can take a vision test at any Texas Department of Public Safety office, or at an approved vision testing location such as an optometrist's office or eye clinic.
After you pass the test, the testing location will submit the results to DPS. You will then need to request a replacement driver license card to have the restriction removed. You can do this in person at a DPS office, or in some cases by mail. There is a fee for a replacement card — typically around $16 for a standard replacement — though the vision test itself may have its own cost depending on where you take it.
If your vision has improved and you believe you no longer need corrective lenses, schedule a vision test with an eye care professional first. They can confirm whether your uncorrected vision now meets the legal standard. If it does, bring that test result to DPS when you request the replacement card.
The difference between DL-14A and other vision-related restrictions
Texas uses several vision-related restriction codes, and DL-14A is just one of them. Another common code is DL-14B, which means you must wear corrective lenses only for night driving — you can drive without them during the day. There is also DL-14C, which restricts you to daylight driving only, usually because your vision does not meet the standard for night driving even with correction.
If you have DL-14A, it applies to all driving, at any time of day. You cannot remove it by only driving during daylight hours. The only way to remove it is to pass a new vision test that shows you no longer need correction, or that your corrected vision meets the standard without the restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with DL-14A if I forgot my glasses at home?
No. The restriction means you must have your corrective lenses with you and wear them while driving. Forgetting them does not change the legal requirement. If you are stopped, you can be cited for violating the restriction.
Does DL-14A mean I failed my vision test?
Not exactly. It means your uncorrected vision did not meet the legal standard, but your corrected vision (with glasses or contacts) did. You passed the test with correction, which is why you received the license — but the restriction documents that correction is required.
How much does it cost to remove the restriction?
The replacement license card costs around $16. The vision test itself may be free at a DPS office or cost $10 to $30 at a private eye care provider, depending on the location. Call ahead to confirm the fee before you go.
Will the restriction go away when I renew my license?
Only if you pass a new vision test during renewal that shows you no longer need the restriction. If you renew without taking a new vision test, or if you take one and still need correction, the restriction will remain on your new license.
What if I have DL-14A but I wear contact lenses instead of glasses?
Contact lenses count as corrective lenses. The restriction requires you to wear correction — whether that is glasses or contacts — so you are in compliance as long as you have your contacts in while driving.